Andhra Pradesh PSC CCE / State Civil Services
Introduction
Andhra Pradesh's top state civil services exam — APPSC Combined Civil Services Examination (Group 1) recruiting Deputy Collector, DySP, and allied services.
- Conducting body: Andhra Pradesh Public Service Commission (APPSC)
- Scope: State
- Region: Andhra Pradesh
- Department: Andhra Pradesh Government (State Civil Services)
- Exam: Combined Civil Services Examination (CCE / Group 1)
- Mode: Online
- Official site: psc.ap.gov.in
The Andhra Pradesh PSC CCE is the state civil services examination conducted by APPSC to recruit officers for key administrative and allied state services. It selects candidates for district administration, police, revenue, forest, finance, and other state departments — one of the main entry routes into AP's Group A and Group B civil services.
Selection: Prelims → Mains → Interview / Personality Test.
Services and Posts
- Deputy Collector
- DySP
- Block Development Officer (BDO)
- Assistant Commissioner
- Commercial Tax Officer (CTO) and other state services
Exam Body and Conduct
APPSC (Vijayawada) releases the CCE notification on psc.ap.gov.in, accepts OTR-based online applications, and conducts Prelims, Mains, and Interview.
Important Highlights
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Conducting body | APPSC |
| Exam | CCE (Group 1) |
| Stages | Prelims → Mains → Interview |
| Mode | Online |
| Starting pay | ₹56,100 (Level-10) |
| Official site | psc.ap.gov.in |
Eligibility
Educational Qualification
- Bachelor's degree from a recognised university in any discipline.
Age Limit
- 21 to 42 years (relaxation: OBC +3, SC/ST +5, PwBD +10 per rules)
Nationality / Domicile
- Indian citizen.
- AP domicile / local status may apply for some posts per notification.
Reservation
Per Andhra Pradesh Government policy:
| Category | Reservation |
|---|---|
| SC | 15% |
| ST | 7.5% |
| BC / OBC (NCL) | 27% |
| EWS | 10% |
- Horizontal: PwBD 4%, Ex-servicemen, Women. Local/domicile reservation as per state rules.
Exam Pattern and Selection Process
1) Preliminary Examination (screening)
| Paper | Subject | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper I | General Studies I | 200 | 2 hours |
| Paper II | General Studies II | 200 | 2 hours |
- Total 400, objective. Negative marking as per notification.
2) Mains Examination (merit)
| Component | Details |
|---|---|
| Papers | 5–8 (as notified) |
| Marks | ~1,400 total |
| Duration | 3 hours each |
| Nature | Descriptive |
3) Interview / Personality Test
| Component | Marks |
|---|---|
| Interview | 100–150 |
- Prelims screens; Mains decides merit; Interview assesses suitability.
Syllabus
Prelims
State & national history, geography, polity, economy, environment, current affairs.
Mains
Essay writing, General Studies (state + national), optional subject (where applicable), analytical/descriptive writing.
State-Specific Focus
AP history & culture, state polity/governance, economy & development, local geography, AP schemes & current affairs.
How to Apply
1. Visit https://psc.ap.gov.in
2. Open the CCE notification.
3. Register via OTR; fill the form.
4. Upload documents, photo, signature.
5. Pay the fee, if applicable.
6. Submit; download confirmation.
Application Fee
- Range: ₹0–₹250 (reserved categories often exempt) — verify in notification.
Previous Year History
APPSC CCE (Group 1) is notified in cycles (e.g. recent Group 1 cycles notified ~200–300 vacancies across services). Exact post-wise counts per notification on psc.ap.gov.in.
Salary, Benefits, and Service Conditions
- Starting pay: ₹56,100 at Level-10 + DA, HRA, TA, medical benefits.
- Stable government service with district/departmental postings and structured promotion.
Preparation
- Books: state board + NCERT, M. Laxmikanth (Polity), AP-specific GK, newspapers.
- Prelims: factual revision, MCQs, current affairs.
- Mains: answer-writing, essay structure, optional depth.
- Interview: clarity on administration, state issues, personality.
- Plans: 12-month (first-timers), 6-month (revision), 3-month (intensive mocks + PYQ).
Career Path
SDM / Deputy Collector → ADM → DM-level; DySP → SP track; other state leadership roles. Promotion per service rules, performance, seniority.
FAQs
1. What is APPSC CCE?
APPSC's Combined Civil Services Examination for AP state civil services.
2. Conducting body?
Andhra Pradesh Public Service Commission (APPSC).
3. Full form?
State Public Service Commission — Combined Civil Services Examination.
4. Posts recruited?
Deputy Collector, DySP, BDO, Assistant Commissioner, CTO, allied services.
5. Educational qualification?
Bachelor's degree in any discipline.
6. Age limit?
21–42 years (OBC +3, SC/ST +5, PwBD +10).
7. AP domicile required?
Local/domicile may apply for some posts per rules.
8. Selection stages?
Prelims → Mains → Interview.
9. Prelims negative marking?
As per state notification.
10. Prelims subjects?
History, geography, polity, economy, environment, current affairs.
11. Mains syllabus?
Essay, GS papers, optional (where applicable).
12. Interview included?
Yes — personality test, 100–150 marks.
13. Application mode?
Online.
14. Where to apply?
psc.ap.gov.in.
15. Starting salary?
~₹56,100 (Level-10) + allowances.
16. Trusted website?
Only psc.ap.gov.in.
17. Previous papers?
APPSC archive on psc.ap.gov.in.
18. Reservation categories?
SC, ST, BC, EWS, PwBD, Ex-servicemen, Women per rules.
19. Career progression?
DM/ADM (admin), SP (police) tracks per service.
20. How to prepare?
Static revision + MCQs (prelims), answer-writing (mains), current affairs, mocks.
Official Sources
- APPSC: https://psc.ap.gov.in
- APPSC portal: https://portal-psc.ap.gov.in
- National Career Service: https://www.ncs.gov.in