Madhya Pradesh Employees Selection Board (MPESB), Bhopal, for Directorate of Farmer Welfare and Agriculture Development
Last Date: July 17, 2026

The Madhya Pradesh Employees Selection Board (MPESB) has opened applications for 2784 posts of Agriculture Extension Officer under the Directorate of Farmer Welfare and Agriculture Development. Online forms opened on July 3, 2026 and will stay open till July 17, 2026. This is a direct, permanent recruitment open only to candidates holding a graduate degree in Agriculture or Horticulture, and the computer based exam begins August 2, 2026.

MPESB Agriculture Extension Officer Recruitment 2026: Quick Overview

Introduction

The Directorate of Farmer Welfare and Agriculture Development runs the extension network that connects government schemes, new farming techniques and seed or input support with farmers on the ground in Madhya Pradesh. This 2784 post drive, notified through MPESB's Group-2 Sub-Group-1 exam framework, is meant to staff that network at the block and district level. It is one of the largest single post recruitments the board has floated in recent years, and the scale alone makes it worth serious attention from anyone with an agriculture or horticulture degree.

What makes this drive different from most large MPESB recruitments is the eligibility gate. Recruitments like Patwari draw applicants from any degree stream, which pulls in a massive, largely undifferentiated pool of graduates. This one is restricted to Agriculture and Horticulture graduates only, a much smaller slice of the state's graduate population, so the competition here will look different even though the vacancy count is high.

Vacancy Details

Note: within these numbers, 35 percent of posts across every category are horizontally reserved for women, and 6 percent, or 168 posts, are reserved for persons with disability (PwD), divided across visual impairment, hearing impairment, locomotor disability, and autism or intellectual disability categories. Ex-servicemen also get a 10 percent horizontal reservation, and also a separate quota exists for candidates who have completed five years of continuous contractual service in an equivalent post.

It is also important to note that the 27 percent OBC reservation is currently subject to a pending High Court decision, but currently this does not affect the total vacancy count, but it means the final category wise breakup within OBC could shift depending on how that matter resolves, so OBC category candidates of MP should track updates on this matter.

Application Fee

Unreserved category candidates pay Rs 500. Candidates who are original residents of Madhya Pradesh and belong to SC, ST, OBC, EWS or the disabled category pay Rs 250. ButCandidates applying against backlog direct recruitment posts pay no examination fee at all.

Note: This above mentioned fee is separate from the MP Online portal charge, which is Rs 60 if you apply through a kiosk operator and Rs 20 if you apply yourself using a registered citizen login. Applicants should also note that candidates from outside Madhya Pradesh can only apply against unreserved posts and will get no fee concession regardless of their category in their home state.

Age Limit

The minimum age is 18 years and the general maximum is 40 years. Candidates who are original residents of Madhya Pradesh belonging to SC, ST, OBC, government or corporation employees, home guards, and all women candidates get relaxed upper age limit of 45 years, which means they will get a relaxation 5 years on upper age limit. Age is calculated as on January 1, 2026.

Note: EWS candidates do not get any age relaxation under this recruitment.  Additional,  age relaxation is also available for Ex-Servicemen and retrenched government employees (those govt. employees who are permanently terminated because their roles are no longer required in their respective dept. but not due to poor performance) as per the rules mentioned in the official notification (Available in the Important Links section toward end of the page). However, after applying all eligible age relaxations, the maximum age cannot exceed 45 years for any category, except for candidates covered under the special provision for eligible contractual employees with continuous service.

Educational Qualification

Applicants need a graduate degree in Agriculture or Horticulture from a recognised university, and is completed by the date of application submission. There is no minimum percentage requirements, so candidates with any passing grade in the relevant degree are eligible, though candidates should keep their final marksheet ready since it will be checked at the verification stage.

Although the eligibility appears simple, but it is quite specific as compared to the recruitments that accept graduates from any discipline, this recruitment is open only to candidates with an Agriculture or Horticulture degree. As a result, the number of eligible applicants is expected to be much smaller.

Selection Process

Selection will entirely be based on the computer based written exam, pattern of which is shown below:

Note: Exam will be conducted in two shifts of 3 hours each on 2nd August 2026 (Sunday).
सम्वन्धित बिषय पर आधारित (Based on related topics), 100 Marks - Syllabus:

Note: There is no interview and no separate skill test built into this recruitment, and document verification for shortlisted candidates happens after the merit list is prepared, not before.

The qualifying bar is 50 percent for unreserved candidates and 40 percent for SC, ST, OBC, EWS and disabled candidates, a 10 percent relaxation built directly into the rules. Each correct answer earns 1 mark and each wrong answer costs 0.25 marks, so blind guessing across a large number of questions can quietly erode a good score. Because the exam runs across two shifts a day, MPESB applies a normalised equi-percentile scaling method to the raw scores, which means a marginally tougher paper in one shift will not put those candidates at a real disadvantage against the other shift.

Salary, Job Location and Service Conditions

The pay scale for this post is ₹25,300 to ₹80,500. However, candidates selected for the post will receive a fixed stipend during the probation period instead of the full basic pay, meaning candidates will receive 70% of the minimum basic pay in the first year, 80% in the second year, and 90% in the third year. After successfully completing the probation period, they will become eligible for the regular pay scale and other applicable benefits.

> Based on the minimum basic pay, approximate stipend is Rs.17,710 in the 1st year, Rs.20,240 in the 2nd year, and Rs.22,770 in the 3rd year, but these amounts are basic pay only and do not include allowances.

> Postings will be across Madhya Pradesh and are allotted after selection based on departmental requirement, so candidates should be prepared for placement anywhere in the state.

How to Apply

1. Go to the official MPESB website at www.esb.mp.gov.in or the MP Online portal at www.mponline.gov.in
2. Look for the Citizen Services section and select the Group-2 Sub-Group-1 Agriculture Extension Officer application link
3. Read the recruitment rules and instructions carefully before clicking Continue 
4. Register with a valid mobile number and email ID if you do not already have an MP Online login
5. Fill in personal, educational and category details exactly as they appear in your original certificates
6. Upload your photograph, signature and handwriting sample in the exact format specified in the notification
7. Upload category, disability or contractual service certificates wherever applicable
8. Enter your Aadhaar number or Aadhaar VID, which is mandatory for biometric verification at the exam centre
9. Pay the examination fee and portal charge through credit card, debit card, net banking or an authorised kiosk
10. Review every field carefully before final submission, since most fields cannot be edited after the correction window closes
11. Download and save the submitted application form and payment receipt for your records

Required Documents and Important Instructions

Keep scanned copies of your Agriculture or Horticulture degree marksheet, your 10th or 12th marksheet for date of birth proof, a valid category certificate if claiming reservation, a disability certificate from a medical board if applicable, and a contractual service certificate if you are applying under that quota. Your photograph must be recent, taken within three months, with a plain white background and both ears visible, and a photograph taken with sunglasses or a dark filter will not be accepted.

A few Important instructions candidates should understand carefully is that. correction to the application form is allowed only until July 22, 2026, and after that window closes, no request for correction will be entertained under any circumstance. Aadhaar based biometric verification is compulsory both at entry and during the exam, so candidates whose Aadhaar is locked or whose biometric data does not match will not be permitted to sit for the exam regardless of how correctly they filled the form.

Read this Important observations/points to better understand the recruitment process:

What the Written Exam Actually Tests

The written exam is not based only on agriculture subjects, but a large part of the paper also includes General Knowledge, Reasoning, and Computer Awareness. So, having a strong understanding of agriculture alone may not be enough to secure a good score. Also remember that the exam has 0.25 negative marking for every wrong answer, therefore candidates should focus on accuracy instead of attempting every question. Along with preparing agriculture subjects well, it is equally important to spend time on the general section to improve your overall score.

Who Should Consider Applying for this Recruitment

This recruitment is a good opportunity for candidates who want a stable government job in the agriculture sector, role of which mainly involves working with farmers, field activities, and local agriculture offices, and not just  limited to office based work. It is also especially suitable for candidates who are already working in contractual agriculture-related posts or have experience in agricultural extension services, therefore moving into this permanent government post can provide better job security, career growth, and a higher salary.

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❓Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How many vacancies are there in MPESB Agriculture Extension Officer Recruitment 2026?

A total of 2784 posts are available, spread across Unreserved, EWS, SC, ST and OBC categories, with horizontal reservation for women, persons with disability and ex-servicemen within each.

What is the last date to apply for this recruitment?

Online applications close on July 17, 2026. Corrections to submitted forms can be made until July 22, 2026, after which no changes are allowed.

Who is eligible to apply for this post?

Candidates with a graduate degree in Agriculture or Horticulture from a recognised university are eligible, subject to the age limit and Madhya Pradesh domicile conditions specified in the notification.

What is the age limit for this recruitment?

The general age limit is 18 to 40 years. MP domicile SC, ST, OBC candidates, women, and government employees get relaxation up to 45 years, while EWS candidates get no age relaxation.

What qualification is required for Agriculture Extension Officer post?

A recognised university degree in Agriculture or Horticulture is mandatory. No minimum percentage has been specified in the notification.

What does the selection process involve?

Selection is based entirely on a computer based written exam of 200 marks, followed by document verification for shortlisted candidates. There is no interview or physical test in this recruitment.

What is the salary for this post?

The regular pay scale is Rs 25,300 to Rs 80,500. During probation, candidates receive a stepped stipend of 70, 80 and 90 percent of the minimum pay across the first three years.

What is the application fee for this recruitment?

Unreserved candidates pay Rs 500, while MP domicile SC, ST, OBC, EWS and disabled candidates pay Rs 250. Backlog direct recruitment candidates pay no fee. A separate MP Online portal charge also applies.

How can candidates apply online for this post?

Applications must be submitted through www.esb.mp.gov.in or www.mponline.gov.in, with photo, signature, handwriting sample and relevant certificates uploaded before fee payment and final submission.

What is the official website for this recruitment?

The official website is www.esb.mp.gov.in, where the notification, admit card and result will all be published.

Is there negative marking in this exam?

Yes. Each correct answer earns 1 mark and each wrong answer deducts 0.25 marks, so unchecked guessing can pull down an otherwise strong score.

Will the exam be conducted in multiple shifts, and does that affect scoring?

Yes, the exam runs in two shifts on exam days. MPESB applies a normalised equi-percentile scaling method to raw scores specifically to neutralise any difficulty difference between shifts.

Conclusion

We have explained the important details of this recruitment in simple words so that you can easily understand the key points. Therefore now before submitting your online application, make sure your Aadhaar details are correct, your Aadhaar is unlocked (if required), and your biometric information is up to date, as these may be verified during different stages of the recruitment process, including the examination. Therefore, taking a few minutes to check these details now can help you avoid unnecessary problems later in the selection process.

If you need to make any changes to your application, complete them before the application correction window closes on 22 July 2026. Carefully review important details such as your category, educational qualification, and exam city preference before the deadline, because after the correction window closes, MPESB will not allow any further changes.

Keep checking the official website regularly for updates on the exam city allotment, admit card release, answer key, and other important announcements (you can also bookmark this page and follow our social media handles such as telegram and WhatsApp for quick updates). Also remember that, at the time when provisional answer key released and if you find any incorrect question or answer, you can submit an objection only through the official online portal within the prescribed time limit. Since the objection window is open for only three days, candidates should review the answer key and submit any valid objections without delay.

This article is based on the official notification and simplified for easy understanding. For the most accurate and updated information, always refer to the official website.