Assam Subordinate Services Exam
Quick facts
*State-level recruitment for Assam government subordinate and allied services*
- Minimum qualification: Bachelor’s degree in any discipline from a recognised university
- Age limit: 21–40 years
- Relaxations: OBC +3 years, SC/ST +5 years, PwD +10 years as per state rules
- Selection stages: Preliminary, Mains, Interview/Personality Test, Document Verification
- Pay level: Level 7 to Level 10
- Application mode: Online
- Official source: https://apsc.nic.in
Overview
Assam State Subordinate / Allied Services (Group B & C posts) is a competitive recruitment examination conducted to fill notified government posts under Assam’s subordinate and allied services framework. The recruitment is merit-based and follows the rules published in the official notification for each cycle.
The examination is designed to test:
- subject knowledge,
- general awareness,
- reasoning and aptitude,
- language ability, and
- role-specific competence where applicable.
For aspirants seeking stable government employment in Assam, this recruitment offers entry into structured public service with career growth, service benefits, and posting opportunities across the state.
Important dates
All dates are released only through the official notification on the Assam Public Service Commission website.
- Notification release: As notified on the official website
- Application start date: As notified on the official website
- Application last date: As notified on the official website
- Admit card release: As notified on the official website
- Preliminary exam date: As notified on the official website
- Mains exam date: As notified on the official website
- Interview / personality test date: As notified on the official website
- Result dates: As notified on the official website
Previous cycles
- 2025 cycle: Official notification and results published on the APSC website
- 2024 cycle: Official notification and results published on the APSC website
- 2023 cycle: Official notification and results published on the APSC website
- 2022 cycle: Official notification and results published on the APSC website
- 2021 cycle: Official notification and results published on the APSC website
Eligibility
Educational qualification
- Bachelor’s degree in any discipline from a recognised university
Age limit
- Minimum age: 21 years
- Maximum age: 40 years
Age relaxation table
| Category | Relaxation |
|---|---|
| OBC | 3 years |
| SC | 5 years |
| ST | 5 years |
| PwD | 10 years |
Nationality and domicile
- Candidate must be an Indian citizen.
- Assam domicile or residence certificate is generally required for reserved-category benefits and may be required in some cases as per the notification.
Reservation and eligibility notes
- Category and horizontal reservation are applied as per the government rules in force on the notification date.
- Candidates must carefully check the notification for category certificates, income criteria, and local-area requirements.
Reservation
Reservation follows the applicable State and Government of India policy on the notification date.
Category reservation
| Category | Reservation |
|---|---|
| SC | 15% |
| ST | 7.5% |
| OBC (NCL) | 27% |
| EWS | 10% |
| Unreserved | Remaining seats |
Horizontal reservation
- PwBD: 4% across notified disability categories
- Ex-servicemen: as per rules
- Women: where provided by the state/department, commonly 30–33%
State-specific notes
Assam may apply its own roster, domicile-related requirements, and local category lists such as MBC/BC/SEBC/EBC depending on the notification.
Vacancy and post list
Vacancies are announced through the official recruitment notification and may vary by year based on sanctioned strength and departmental demand.
Year-wise vacancy trend
| Year | Total Posts | General | OBC | SC | ST | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | As per notification | ~40% | ~27% | ~15% | ~7.5% | EWS ~10%; varies by sanctioned strength |
| 2024 | As per notification | ~40% | ~27% | ~15% | ~7.5% | EWS ~10%; varies by sanctioned strength |
| 2023 | As per notification | ~40% | ~27% | ~15% | ~7.5% | EWS ~10%; varies by sanctioned strength |
| 2022 | As per notification | ~40% | ~27% | ~15% | ~7.5% | EWS ~10%; varies by sanctioned strength |
| 2021 | As per notification | ~40% | ~27% | ~15% | ~7.5% | EWS ~10%; varies by sanctioned strength |
Posts / cadres included
- Assam State Subordinate / Allied Services (Group B & C posts)
Exam pattern
The selection process generally includes multiple stages.
| Stage | Papers | Marks | Duration | Negative marking |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Preliminary | Objective / CBT | 100–200 | 90–120 minutes | Yes, 0.25–0.33 |
| Mains | Descriptive / objective | 100–300 | 2–3 hours | As notified |
| Interview / Personality Test | Personality assessment | 50–100 | 20–30 minutes | No |
| Document Verification | Qualifying | — | — | No |
Stage-wise structure
- Preliminary exam: Screening stage for shortlisting candidates for the next stage.
- Mains exam: Deeper assessment of knowledge and written expression.
- Interview / personality test: Evaluates communication, awareness, and suitability.
- Document verification: Confirms eligibility, category, domicile, and certificates.
Selection process
1. Online application
2. Preliminary examination
3. Mains examination
4. Interview / personality test
5. Document verification
6. Final merit list
Final selection is based on the marks and criteria specified in the official notification for the recruitment cycle.
Syllabus
The syllabus is published with each notification. The commonly tested areas are:
General Studies / Awareness
- History
- Geography
- Polity
- Economy
- Environment
- Science and Technology
- Current affairs
- Assam state affairs
Aptitude / Reasoning
- Arithmetic
- Data interpretation
- Logical reasoning
- Analytical reasoning
- Series
- Coding-decoding
- Data sufficiency
Language
- English comprehension
- Grammar
- Vocabulary
- Regional language of Assam
Subject-specific / degree-linked topics
- Role-specific technical or professional subject content, aligned with the qualification standard mentioned in the notification
Syllabus source
- Official syllabus PDF and recruitment notification: https://apsc.nic.in
How to apply
Applications are submitted online through the official portal.
Step-by-step application process
1. Visit the official website: https://apsc.nic.in
2. Open the recruitment / online application link
3. Register using a valid email ID and mobile number
4. Fill in personal, academic, and category details
5. Upload required documents in the prescribed format
6. Pay the application fee, if applicable
7. Submit the form
8. Download and save the confirmation page for reference
Documents usually required
- Recent passport-size photograph
- Signature
- Educational certificates
- Age proof
- Identity proof
- Caste/category certificate, if applicable
- Domicile/residence certificate, if applicable
- PwBD certificate, if applicable
- Ex-serviceman certificate, if applicable
Photo and signature basics
- Follow the dimensions, file size, and format given in the notification.
- Use a recent, clear photograph and a legible signature.
Submission checklist
- All details are correct
- Uploaded files meet prescribed specifications
- Fee payment is completed, where applicable
- Application confirmation is downloaded and stored safely
Application fee
The fee is specified in the official notification for each cycle.
- General / OBC: approximately Rs 100 to Rs 900
- SC / ST / PwBD / Women: usually exempted or charged a nominal fee, as per notification
Salary
Selected candidates are placed in the pay structure notified for the respective cadre.
Pay scale
- Level 7 to Level 10
- Approximate pay range: Rs 44,900 to Rs 1,77,500
Allowances and benefits
- Dearness Allowance
- House Rent Allowance
- Transport Allowance
- Medical facilities
- LTC
- Employer NPS contribution
- Post-specific allowances such as uniform, field, risk, or hardship allowances where applicable
Service benefits
- Job security
- Structured service rules
- Pension/NPS benefits as per applicable rules
- Promotion opportunities over time
Cutoff
Cutoffs vary by notification, vacancy count, paper difficulty, and number of candidates.
Indicative cutoff trend
| Year | General | OBC | SC | ST |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | ~55–65% | ~50–60% | ~45–55% | ~42–52% |
| 2024 | ~54–64% | ~49–59% | ~44–54% | ~41–51% |
Official category-wise cutoffs are released with the final result.
Preparation
Recommended books and resources
- NCERT Class 6–12 for fundamentals
- Lucent’s General Knowledge
- R.S. Aggarwal for Quantitative Aptitude and Reasoning
- Wren & Martin for English
- Standard subject textbook matching the degree requirement
- Monthly current affairs compilation
3-phase study plan
Phase 1: Concept building
- Focus on basics in GS, reasoning, aptitude, and language
- Build short notes and topic summaries
Phase 2: Practice and application
- Solve previous year papers
- Take sectional tests
- Strengthen weak areas
Phase 3: Revision and mocks
- Attempt full-length mock tests
- Revise notes repeatedly
- Improve speed, accuracy, and answer selection
Daily study approach
- 5 to 6 focused study hours
- Regular revision slots
- Topic-wise mistake tracking
- Timed practice for negative-marking accuracy
Previous year papers
Download papers and related recruitment documents from the official website and solve them in exam-like conditions. After each mock, review:
- accuracy,
- time distribution,
- weak topics,
- negative-marking losses.
Career path
Training and probation
Selected candidates usually undergo probation or training as prescribed in the service rules and recruitment notification.
Postings
Posting locations may include:
- state offices,
- district establishments,
- field units, and
- other administrative offices across Assam.
Promotion path
Career growth typically includes:
- time-bound MACP benefits,
- departmental promotions,
- senior supervisory roles,
- administrative positions through service progression and departmental examinations.
Official sources
- Official website: https://apsc.nic.in
- Latest notification: https://apsc.nic.in
- Apply portal: https://apsc.nic.in
- Notification archive: https://apsc.nic.in
- Syllabus PDF: https://apsc.nic.in
- National Career Service: https://www.ncs.gov.in
- India portal: https://www.india.gov.in