FCI Notification 2026 – Assistant Grade III (AG 3)
One of India's biggest central govt recruitment drives, across 5 departments and 5 zones. The 2026 notification is still awaited as on 2 October 2026 — vacancy estimates circulating online (~27,345 Category III) are unconfirmed; the last actual cycle had 5,043 Category III posts. Start your preparation now and get ahead of the competition.
🗓️ Last Updated: 2 October 2026
💡 FCI Notification 2026 – Status on 2 October 2026
- Notification: not released. No 2026 Category II/III advertisement on fci.gov.in or recruitmentfci.in, and FCI has announced no date.
- AG 3 registration: not open. It will open only on recruitmentfci.in after the notification (last cycle: 6 Sep – 5 Oct 2022).
- Vacancies: the 33,566 figure (6,221 Category II + 27,345 Category III) seen online is unofficial. It has circulated since late 2024 without an FCI advertisement. The last actual cycle had 5,043 Category III posts.
- Predicted dates have slipped: earlier online predictions (including "August 2026") have all passed. Treat any date you see as a guess until FCI publishes it.
🇮🇳 FCI नई भर्ती 2026 – हिंदी में मुख्य बातें
- 2 अक्टूबर 2026 तक FCI की 2026 भर्ती अधिसूचना जारी नहीं हुई है।
- AG 3 रजिस्ट्रेशन अभी शुरू नहीं हुआ — अधिसूचना के बाद केवल recruitmentfci.in पर होगा।
- 33,566 पदों का आँकड़ा अनाधिकारिक है; पिछली भर्ती (2022) में Category III के 5,043 पद थे।
- योग्यता: स्नातक (पद के अनुसार विषय) · आयु: 18–27 वर्ष (हिंदी पद के लिए 28 वर्ष) · चयन: Phase I + Phase II (इंटरव्यू नहीं)।
1What is FCI Assistant Grade III (AG III)?
The Food Corporation of India (FCI) is a statutory body under the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution, established in 1965. It manages India's food security — procurement, storage, and distribution of foodgrains across the country through 170+ depots and hundreds of regional offices.
Assistant Grade III (AG III) is a Group C, Category III post and is one of the most coveted central government jobs for graduates. Selected candidates work in one of five departments — General, Accounts, Technical, Depot, or Hindi — supporting FCI's day-to-day operations at regional offices and depots across India.
The selection is purely merit-based via a two-phase online examination — no interview for AG III. Postings are zone-specific, so candidates apply for and serve within their chosen zone.
Conducting Body
Food Corporation of India (FCI)
Post Category
Group C – Category III
Pay Scale (IDA)
₹28,200 – ₹79,200/mo
Age Limit
18–27 yrs (18–28 for Hindi)
Qualification
Graduate (subject-specific)
Selection Mode
Phase I → Phase II (No Interview)
2Important Dates 2026
| Event | Date | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 📅 FCI AG III Notification 2026 | Not released as on 2 October 2026 | ⚠️ TBN |
| 📅 Online Registration Opens | To Be Notified (TBN) | ⚠️ TBN |
| 📅 Application Last Date | To Be Notified (TBN) | ⚠️ TBN |
| 📅 Admit Card – Phase I | To Be Notified (TBN) | ⚠️ TBN |
| 📅 Phase I Exam (All Posts) | To Be Notified (TBN) | ⚠️ TBN |
| 📅 Phase I Result | To Be Notified (TBN) | ⚠️ TBN |
| 📅 Admit Card – Phase II | To Be Notified (TBN) | ⚠️ TBN |
| 📅 Phase II Exam | To Be Notified (TBN) | ⚠️ TBN |
| 📅 Final Merit List / Selection | To Be Notified (TBN) | ⚠️ TBN |
| 🆕 Last Cycle Notification (Advt. No. 01/2022-FCI Category III) | September 2022 | ✓ Done |
| 🆕 Last Cycle Online Registration | 6 September – 5 October 2022 | ✓ Done |
| 🆕 Last Cycle (2022–23) Phase I | January 2023 | ✓ Done |
* TBN = To Be Notified. Official portal: recruitmentfci.in and fci.gov.in
3Eligibility Criteria 2026
🪪 Nationality
Must be a citizen of India. Citizens of Nepal, Bhutan, or Tibetan refugees who settled in India before 1 January 1962 are also eligible as per GoI norms.
📋 Age Limit (max, as on crucial date)
Min: 18 yrs | Max: 27 yrs for General/Accounts/Technical/Depot | Max: 28 yrs for Hindi post. Age is reckoned on the crucial date fixed in each notification — confirm it in the 2026 PDF. Relaxation: OBC +3 yrs, SC/ST +5 yrs, PwBD +10 yrs, Ex-Servicemen as per GoI rules.
🎓 AG III (General & Depot)
Bachelor's Degree in any discipline from a recognised university. No minimum percentage specified for General category in the last notification.
🎓 AG III (Technical)
Bachelor's Degree in Agriculture / Botany / Zoology / Veterinary Sciences / Food Science / Biochemistry / Dairy Technology from a recognised university.
🎓 AG III (Accounts)
Bachelor's Degree in Commerce (B.Com) from a recognised university, OR a CA (Inter) / ICWA (Inter) qualification.
🎓 AG III (Hindi)
Bachelor's Degree with Hindi as a main subject/medium, OR Post Graduate Degree in Hindi. Proficiency in English is also required.
⚠️ Zone & Post Rule: Each candidate can apply for only one post in one zone. This choice is final and cannot be changed after submission. Candidates will be posted only within the zone they apply for.
4Vacancy & Zone Details 2026
💡 Vacancy note: The official 2026 vacancy figure has not been announced. Several coaching/news portals are circulating ~27,345 Category III (within a larger ~33,566 estimate: 6,221 Category II + 27,345 Category III), but these numbers have circulated since late 2024 without any FCI advertisement and are unverified. For realistic context, the last actual cycle (Notification No. 01/2022) had 5,043 Category III posts (later revised to 5,046). The confirmed zone-wise breakdown will be released with the official notification.
| Zone | Key States | Last Cycle (2022 Official) | 2026 (Expected) |
|---|---|---|---|
| North Zone | Delhi, UP, Uttarakhand, J&K, HP, Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan | 2,388 | TBN |
| South Zone | AP, Telangana, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry | 989 | TBN |
| East Zone | Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha, West Bengal, North East | 768 | TBN |
| West Zone | Gujarat, Maharashtra, Goa, MP, Chhattisgarh | 713 | TBN |
| NE Zone | Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Tripura, etc. | 185 | TBN |
| Total | All 5 Zones (All Category III posts incl. JE, Steno) | 5,043 | ~27,345 (unconfirmed) |
2022 figures are zone-wise totals for all Category III posts (AG-III, JE, Steno, Typist) per the official FCI Notification No. 01/2022-FCI. 2026 AG-III zone-wise split will be released with the official notification PDF.
5Exam Pattern 2026
Phase I — Online Exam (Common for All Posts)
100 Questions | 100 Marks | 60 Minutes | Sectional Timing | Negative Marking: –¼
| Subject | Questions | Marks | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| English Language | 25 | 25 | 15 min |
| Reasoning Ability | 25 | 25 | 15 min |
| Numerical Aptitude | 25 | 25 | 15 min |
| General Studies | 25 | 25 | 15 min |
| Total | 100 | 100 | 60 min |
📌 Phase I is qualifying only. Scores from Phase II determine the final merit list.
Phase II — Paper I (Common for All Posts)
120 Questions | 120 Marks | 90 Minutes | Negative Marking: –¼ | Higher Difficulty
| Subject | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| English Language | 24 | 24 |
| Reasoning Ability | 24 | 24 |
| Numerical Aptitude | 24 | 24 |
| General Studies | 24 | 24 |
| Computer Knowledge | 24 | 24 |
| Total | 120 | 120 |
Phase II — Paper II (Only for Accounts, Technical & Hindi Posts)
60 Questions | 120 Marks (2 marks each) | 90 Minutes | Post-Specific Syllabus
| Post | Paper II Topics |
|---|---|
| AG III – Accounts | Basic accountancy, preparation of books of accounts, Income Tax, GST fundamentals, financial statements, TDS, auditing basics. |
| AG III – Technical | Agriculture, Public Health (nutrition/food science), Veterinary Science, Botany, Zoology, Chemistry, Physics — as applicable to FCI operations. |
| AG III – Hindi | Hindi language proficiency — translation, grammar, essay, comprehension, precis writing, official correspondence in Hindi. |
| AG III – General & Depot | No Paper II required. Selection based on Phase I (qualifying) + Phase II Paper I only. |
⚠️ Negative Marking: Both Phase I and Phase II carry negative marking of –¼ mark per wrong answer. Un-attempted questions carry no penalty. Attempt only when reasonably confident.
6Detailed Syllabus 2026
English Language
Reasoning Ability
Numerical Aptitude
General Studies
Computer Knowledge (Phase II Paper I only)
7Salary & Benefits 2026
💰 Basic Pay (Entry Level)
₹28,200/month
IDA Pattern Pay Scale
📊 Gross Salary (before HRA)
~₹46,650/month
Basic + IDA + meal + transport
🏠 In-Hand (Net Salary)
~₹41,400/month
After PF · plus HRA by city
| Pay Component | Amount (Approx.) |
|---|---|
| Basic Pay | ₹28,200 |
| Industrial DA (IDA 55.7% from 1 Jul 2026) | ₹15,707 |
| House Rent Allowance (HRA) | Extra – varies by city of posting |
| Meal / Lunch Allowance | ~₹1,500 |
| Transport & Other Allowances | ~₹1,000–₹1,500 |
| Gross Salary (before HRA) | ~₹46,650 |
| PF (12% of Basic + IDA) | ~₹5,270 |
| Net In-Hand Salary (before HRA) | ~₹41,400 |
Additional Perks & Benefits
🎯 Pay revision note: FCI is a PSU and follows IDA pay scales, revising salaries through periodic wage/IDA revisions rather than directly through the Central Pay Commission. The 8th Pay Commission has only been constituted (its report is expected around 2027) and is not yet implemented, so any projected salary increase remains speculative. Figures above use the existing IDA pay scale and the 55.7% IDA rate for 2017 pay scales from 1 July 2026 (IDA is revised every quarter, so it will change; income tax not deducted).
8How to Apply Online 2026
⚠️ FCI AG 3 registration 2026 is not open yet (as on 2 October 2026). The steps below are based on the last cycle and will open on recruitmentfci.in only after the notification.
Visit the official FCI recruitment portal
Go to recruitmentfci.in — this is the only official registration portal for FCI AG III. Do not apply through any other website.
Select your Zone and Post
Carefully choose ONE zone (North/South/East/West/NE) and ONE post (General/Accounts/Technical/Depot/Hindi). This cannot be changed after submission.
Register with Email & Mobile
Generate a temporary Registration ID and password using a valid email ID and mobile number. Keep these safe throughout the process.
Fill the Application Form
Enter personal details, educational qualifications, category, exam center preferences, and upload your passport-size photo and signature in the prescribed format.
Pay the Application Fee
Pay online via debit/credit card, net banking, or UPI. In the last cycle the fee was ₹500 (incl. GST) for UR/OBC/EWS, while SC/ST/PwBD and Ex-Servicemen candidates were exempt (check the notification for any other exemptions). The 2026 fee will be confirmed in the official notification.
Submit and Save Confirmation
Preview all details carefully before final submission. Download and print the confirmation page — this is your proof of application.
93-Month Study Plan for FCI AG III 2026
Build the Foundation
- ✓Complete Reasoning basics — puzzles, seating arrangement, blood relations.
- ✓Cover Numerical Aptitude chapters: percentage, ratio, profit/loss, SI/CI.
- ✓Daily English — vocab (10 words/day), read English newspaper for 20 min.
- ✓Start General Studies — NCERT Polity + Indian Economy basics.
Core Syllabus + Computer Knowledge
- ✓Advanced Reasoning — inequalities, direction sense, syllogisms.
- ✓DI (Data Interpretation) — tables, bar graphs, pie charts.
- ✓Computer Knowledge — MS Office, internet basics, OS fundamentals.
- ✓General Studies — Current affairs (daily), Science & Technology.
- ✓Solve 1 full Phase I mock test per week and analyse errors.
Revision + Mocks + Post-Specific Prep
- ✓Solve 3 Phase I mock tests per week — aim for 80+ marks.
- ✓Start Phase II preparation — Paper I (higher difficulty) + Paper II if applicable.
- ✓Accounts post: Focus on accountancy, GST, Income Tax basics.
- ✓Technical post: Agriculture, food science, biochemistry topics.
- ✓Revise weak areas from mock test analysis. Prioritise accuracy over speed.
10Best Books for FCI AG III 2026
| Book | Author | Subject | Find Book |
|---|---|---|---|
| A Modern Approach to Verbal & Non-Verbal Reasoning | R.S. Aggarwal | Reasoning | Find on Amazon |
| Quantitative Aptitude for Competitive Examinations | R.S. Aggarwal | Numerical Aptitude | Find on Amazon |
| Objective General English | S.P. Bakshi | English Language | Find on Amazon |
| Lucent's General Knowledge | Dr. Binay Karna | General Studies | Find on Amazon |
| Objective Computer Awareness | Arihant Experts | Computer Knowledge | Find on Amazon |
| Agriculture at a Glance | R.K. Sharma | Agriculture/Technical | — |
| An Introduction to Accountancy | T.S. Grewal | Accounts (Paper 2) | — |
Links marked (paid link) are Amazon affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. This costs you nothing extra, and books are chosen on merit only — no publisher pays us to recommend a title.
11Free Resources for FCI AG III
Free Video Lectures (YouTube)
Search free Phase I & II video lessons — Reasoning, Quant, English, General Studies & Computer Knowledge.
TaiyarHo Free Resources Hub
Curated free study material, books and prep guides for government exams — all in one place.
FCI Official Portal
Official FCI website — bookmark for notification updates and recruitment news.
FCI Recruitment Portal
Apply online, download admit card, check results — the only official application portal.
TaiyarHo Eligibility Checker
Check instantly whether you qualify for FCI AG III — age, qualification & category in seconds.
FCI AG III Previous Papers
Previous year question papers from the last cycles are the best practice material — available on the official site.
12Expert Tips for FCI AG III 2026
Apply for the right zone and post
Since you can apply for only one post in one zone, choose based on your qualification and preferred location. Technical/Accounts posts have an extra Paper II but often have lower competition than General.
Phase I is qualifying — Phase II decides your rank
Do not neglect Phase I, but invest most study time in Phase II. The final merit list is based entirely on Phase II marks (Paper I + Paper II if applicable). Qualifying Phase I with a comfortable margin is the goal.
Master accuracy over speed in Phase I
With 100 questions in 60 minutes (sectional timing), and –¼ negative marking, wild guessing is costly. Target 85–90% accuracy on attempted questions. Leave questions you are unsure about.
Computer Knowledge is often underestimated
In Phase II Paper I, Computer Knowledge is a scoring section that many candidates ignore. 24 questions on MS Office, internet basics, and operating systems can significantly boost your score with minimal effort.
Don’t wait for the notification
The FCI notification date has slipped repeatedly, but the Phase I syllabus (English, Reasoning, Numerical Aptitude, General Studies) overlaps with SSC and bank clerk exams. Prepare for those alongside, so you are ready whenever FCI announces the dates.
13Frequently Asked Questions
What is FCI Assistant Grade III (AG III)?
When will the FCI notification 2026 be released?
Is FCI AG 3 registration 2026 open?
FCI new vacancy 2026 kitni hai? (FCI नई भर्ती 2026 में कितने पद हैं?)
How many vacancies are expected in FCI AG III 2026?
What is the salary of FCI Assistant Grade III in 2026?
What is the age limit for FCI AG III 2026?
Can I apply for multiple posts or zones in FCI AG III?
⚠️ Disclaimer: This page is for general information and guidance only. FCI Assistant Grade III is not a fixed annual exam, and the 2026 notification has not yet been released. All dates, vacancy figures (including the widely circulated ~27,345 estimate), fees and salary numbers are tentative and based on past cycles and publicly available reports — they are not official until confirmed by the Food Corporation of India. Always verify every detail against the official notification at recruitmentfci.in and fci.gov.in before applying or making any decision. TaiyarHo is an independent educational resource and is not affiliated with FCI or any government body.
🗓️ Last Updated: 2 October 2026