FCI Assistant Grade III 2026
One of India's biggest central govt recruitment drives. ~27,345 vacancies expected across 5 departments and 5 zones. Notification expected in August 2026 — start your preparation now and get ahead of the competition.
💡 May 2026 Status: The FCI AG III 2026 notification has not yet been released. It is expected around August 2026 at recruitmentfci.in. FCI is expected to announce a mega-recruitment of ~27,345 AG III vacancies. All dates below are tentative — bookmark the official site and start preparation now.
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 | August 2026 (Expected) | ⚠️ TBN |
| 📅 Online Application Opens | August 2026 (Expected) | ⚠️ 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 (2022–23) Notification | December 2022 | ✓ Done |
| 🆕 Last Cycle (2022–23) Phase I | March 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 (as on 1 Jan 2026)
Min: 18 yrs | Max: 27 yrs for General/Accounts/Technical/Depot | Max: 28 yrs for Hindi post. 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
💡 2026 Mega-Recruitment: FCI has over 33,500 vacancies across Category II & III. For AG III specifically, approximately 27,345 posts are expected to be filled in the 2026 cycle — a historically large number driven by massive vacancies across all zones. 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 AG-III (Expected) |
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 (with allowances)
~₹46,900/month
DA + HRA + TA + Other
🏠 In-Hand (Net Salary)
~₹41,790/month
After standard deductions
| Pay Component | Amount (Approx.) |
|---|---|
| Basic Pay | ₹28,200 |
| Dearness Allowance (DA ~58%) | ₹16,356 |
| House Rent Allowance (HRA) | Varies by city tier (5–20% of basic) |
| Meal / Lunch Allowance | ~₹1,500 |
| Transport & Other Allowances | ~₹1,000–₹1,500 |
| Gross Salary | ~₹46,900 |
| Deductions (PF, income tax etc.) | ~₹5,000–₹6,000 |
| Net In-Hand Salary | ~₹41,790 |
Additional Perks & Benefits
🎯 8th Pay Commission Update: FCI employees follow IDA pay scales. Under the expected 8th Pay Commission (implementation likely 2026–27), AG III basic pay may rise to approximately ₹54,000–₹64,000/month, pushing gross salary towards ₹75,000–₹88,000/month.
8How to Apply Online 2026
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 card, credit card, or net banking. Fee amount will be specified in the official notification. SC/ST/PwBD candidates may be exempt — confirm in the official PDF.
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 | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|
| A Modern Approach to Verbal & Non-Verbal Reasoning | R.S. Aggarwal | Reasoning | Buy |
| Quantitative Aptitude for Competitive Examinations | R.S. Aggarwal | Numerical Aptitude | Buy |
| Objective General English | S.P. Bakshi | English Language | Buy |
| Lucent's General Knowledge | Dr. Binay Karna | General Studies | Buy |
| Objective Computer Awareness | Arihant Experts | Computer Knowledge | Buy |
| Agriculture at a Glance | R.K. Sharma | Agriculture/Technical | — |
| An Introduction to Accountancy | T.S. Grewal | Accounts (Paper 2) | — |
11Free Resources for FCI AG III
Adda247 FCI AG III Playlist
Free Phase I & II video lectures in Hindi — Reasoning, Quant, English, GS.
Testbook FCI Preparation Videos
Subject-wise videos for Phase I preparation — free on YouTube.
FCI Official Portal
Official FCI recruitment portal — bookmark for notification updates.
FCI Recruitment Portal
Apply online, download admit card, check results — all on this portal.
Adda247 App
Free FCI AG III mock tests, previous year papers, and GK capsule. Available on Android.
FCI AG III Previous Papers (2019)
Official previous year question papers from the 2019 cycle — best practice material.
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.
Start now — notification likely in August
With the FCI notification expected in August 2026, you have 2–3 months for preparation. Candidates who start now will have a major advantage over those who wait for the notification. Use this window wisely.