The Andhra Pradesh Public Service Commission (APPSC) has released the Technical Assistant Syllabus and Exam Pattern 2026 under Notification No. 32/2026 for 36 provisional vacancies in the A.P. Mines and Geology Sub-Service.
The Computer-Based Recruitment Test (CBRT) will consist of two papers: General Studies and Mental Ability, and Geology, with a total of 300 questions for 300 marks and one-third negative marking for each wrong answer.
The online application process is scheduled to begin on 6 November 2026 and close on 26 November 2026. The exam date has not yet been announced. Candidates can check the topic-wise syllabus, marking scheme and preparation plan in this guide. Visit firstjob24.com for the latest exam and recruitment updates.
APPSC Technical Assistant Syllabus 2026 – Overview
Syllabus and Exam Pattern Out | Notification No. 32/2026 | 36 Posts | Two Papers: General Studies and Geology
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| Particulars | Details |
| Organization Name | Andhra Pradesh Public Service Commission (APPSC) |
| Post Name | Technical Assistant |
| Department | A.P. Mines and Geology Sub-Service |
| Notification Number | 32/2026 |
| Total Vacancies | 36 (Provisional) |
| Exam Mode | Computer-Based Recruitment Test (CBRT) – Objective |
| Number of Papers | 2 (General Studies and Mental Ability + Geology) |
| Total Questions and Marks | 300 Questions | 300 Marks |
| Total Duration | 300 Minutes (150 Minutes Per Paper) |
| Negative Marking | One-third of the marks of the question for each wrong answer |
| Official Website | psc.ap.gov.in |
Read This First – What Is Out and What Is Not
- Out: The brief notification, the exam pattern and the topic-wise syllabus for both papers.
- Not out yet: The exam date, the admit card date and the cut off. These will come later.
- The detailed notification is expected on or before 6 November 2026, which is the day the online form opens.
- There is no separate screening test. The CBRT of two papers is the written stage.
- Qualifying marks for each category are not given in the sources checked. Refer to the detailed notification.
Important Dates – APPSC Technical Assistant 2026
| Event | Date |
| Brief Notification Released | 13 October 2026 |
| Detailed Notification | On or before 6 November 2026 |
| Online Application Starts | 6 November 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply | 26 November 2026 (up to 11:59 PM) |
| CBRT Exam Date | To Be Announced |
Note: One website shows 14 October as the notification date, but most sources show 13 October. Please confirm from the official notice.
Post Snapshot – Salary, Qualification and Age
| Particulars | Details |
| Vacancies | 36 Provisional Posts |
| Pay Scale | ₹35,570 – ₹1,09,910 |
| Qualification | B.Sc. Degree in Geology from a recognised university (practical experience in mineral work, mapping, mining or underground water is preferred) |
| Age Limit | 18 to 44 Years as on 1 July 2026 (relaxation as per rules) |
| Application Mode | Online |
Note: Qualification and age details come from secondary sources. Read the detailed notification before you apply.
APPSC Technical Assistant Exam Pattern 2026
| Paper | Subject | Questions | Marks | Time |
| Paper I | General Studies and Mental Ability | 150 | 150 | 150 Minutes |
| Paper II | Geology | 150 | 150 | 150 Minutes |
| Total | – | 300 | 300 | 300 Minutes |
- All questions are objective type (multiple choice) and set at degree level.
- You get about 1 minute per question in each paper.
- If the exam is held in more than one session, APPSC may use normalisation.
Insight: Both papers carry 150 marks each. So Geology is 50% of your total score. Many candidates spend too much time on General Studies and forget that the technical paper decides half of the result.
Marking Scheme and How Negative Marking Works
Each correct answer gives marks as set for the question. Each wrong answer cuts one-third of the marks of that question. If a question carries 1 mark, the cut is about 0.33 mark.
| Situation (Paper II Example) | Score |
| 100 correct, 20 wrong, 30 not attempted | 100 − 6.67 = 93.33 |
| 110 correct, 40 wrong | 110 − 13.33 = 96.67 |
| 120 correct, 10 wrong, 20 not attempted | 120 − 3.33 = 116.67 |
Insight: If a question has 4 options and you guess blindly, your expected gain is zero. But if you can remove even one wrong option, a guess becomes worth it. So eliminate options first, then decide.
Paper I Syllabus – General Studies and Mental Ability
| Topic | What to Study |
| Current Affairs | Important events and issues – international, national and Andhra Pradesh |
| General Science | Daily-life science, new developments in science and technology, and information technology |
| Indian History | Social, economic, cultural and political history, with focus on Andhra Pradesh and the National Movement |
| Geography | Geography of India, with special focus on Andhra Pradesh |
| Polity and Governance | Constitution, public policy, reforms and e-governance |
| Indian Economy | Indian economy and planning |
| Environment | Sustainable development and protection of the environment |
| Disaster Management | Risk and vulnerability, prevention and reduction, and use of remote sensing and GIS |
| Logical Reasoning | Logic, analytical ability and logical interpretation |
| Data Analysis | Tables, charts, mean, median, mode, variance and data interpretation |
Paper II Syllabus – Geology (Part A: General, Geomorphology and Structural Geology)
| Topic | What to Study |
| General Geology | Solar system, origin, age and inside structure of the Earth, volcanoes, earthquakes, isostasy, mountain building, continental drift, sea-floor spreading and plate tectonics |
| Geomorphology | Basic ideas, inner and outer forces, weathering, erosion cycles, river landforms and drainage, wind, sea, glacier and karst landforms, and remote sensing basics |
| Structural and Field Geology | Primary and secondary structures, dip and strike, folds, joints, faults, foliation, deformation of rocks, block diagrams, stereographic nets, map reading and field mapping |
Paper II Syllabus – Part B: Crystallography, Mineralogy and Economic Geology
| Topic | What to Study |
| Crystallography | Crystal structure, laws, symmetry of the seven crystal systems, light in crystals, petrological microscope, twinning and optical properties |
| Mineralogy | Physical, chemical and optical properties of main rock-forming minerals such as quartz, feldspar, mica, pyroxene, amphibole, olivine, garnet and chlorite, plus gemstones |
| Economic Geology | Ores, gangue, how ore deposits form, Indian ore occurrences (iron, manganese, copper, gold, lead, zinc, aluminium, chromium), coal, petroleum and mineral prospecting |
Paper II Syllabus – Part C: Petrology
| Topic | What to Study |
| Igneous Petrology | Origin of magma, Bowen’s reaction principle, classification, textures, and rocks like granite, syenite, diorite, mafic and ultramafic rocks |
| Sedimentary Petrology | Sedimentary processes, classification, structures, texture and rock types such as arenites, arkoses, greywackes and chemical or organic deposits |
| Metamorphic Petrology | Types and factors of metamorphism, zones, grades and facies, textures, and metamorphism of different rock types |
Paper II Syllabus – Part D: Palaeontology and Stratigraphy
| Topic | What to Study |
| Palaeontology | Fossils and fossilisation, uses of fossils, and main fossil groups such as Foraminifera, Brachiopoda, Bivalvia, Gastropoda, Cephalopoda, Trilobita, Echinoidea and corals, plus Siwalik mammals and Gondwana flora |
| Stratigraphy and Geology of India | Laws of stratigraphy, types of classification, geological time scale, physiographic divisions of India, and the Dharwar, Vindhyan, Gondwana and Siwalik groups |
Selection Process 2026
- Step 1: Apply online on psc.ap.gov.in from 6 to 26 November 2026
- Step 2: Computer-Based Recruitment Test – Paper I and Paper II
- Step 3: Normalisation of marks, only if the exam runs in more than one session
Note: The steps after the CBRT, such as document verification, are not described in the sources. They will be given in the detailed notification.
Do Not Mix This With Other APPSC Mines and Geology Posts
| Notification No. | Post | Vacancies (Reported) |
| 31/2026 | Assistant Director (Mines) | 1 |
| 32/2026 | Technical Assistant | 36 |
| 33/2026 | Royalty Inspector | 9 |
| 36/2026 | Assistant Motor Vehicle Inspector | 50 |
Note: This article covers only Notification No. 32/2026. The other posts have their own syllabus and pay scale.
Suggested Topic Priority (Our Study Guide)
| Area | Why It Matters | Suggested Priority |
| Geology Parts A to D | Half of the total marks | Very High |
| Andhra Pradesh topics in Paper I | Syllabus stresses the state again and again | High |
| Logical Reasoning and Data Analysis | Scoring with daily practice | High |
| Current Affairs | Changes every month | Medium to High |
| Economy, Polity and Environment | Standard topics, easy to revise | Medium |
Note: The priority column is our study suggestion, not an official weightage. APPSC has not given topic-wise marks.
Smart Preparation Strategy
- Make two checklists: One for Paper I and one for the four parts of Paper II. Tick each topic when you finish it.
- Give Geology equal time: Spend at least half of your daily study time on Paper II.
- Learn rocks and minerals by sight and property: Make small tables of properties, and revise them every week.
- Practise diagrams and maps: Structural geology and Indian stratigraphy need clear pictures in your mind.
- Start Andhra Pradesh first: Cover state history, geography, schemes and current events early.
- Do timed mocks: Practise 150 questions in 150 minutes and study every wrong answer.
12-Week Study Plan (Suggested)
| Weeks | What to Do |
| Week 1 to 3 | Finish Geology Part A and Part B. Revise Class 11–12 science basics where needed. |
| Week 4 to 6 | Finish Geology Part C and Part D. Start Paper I history, geography and polity. |
| Week 7 to 8 | Finish economy, environment, disaster management and science. Practise reasoning and data questions daily. |
| Week 9 to 10 | Revise everything once. Take 2 mock tests every week. |
| Week 11 to 12 | Take full-length mocks, fix weak areas and revise current affairs. |
Note: The exam date is not announced yet. Change the plan once APPSC releases the schedule.
Quick Recap for Candidates
APPSC has released the syllabus and exam pattern for 36 Technical Assistant posts in the A.P. Mines and Geology Sub-Service. The exam is a computer-based test of 300 questions and 300 marks, with General Studies and Mental Ability in Paper I and Geology in Paper II. Negative marking is one-third of the marks. The online form opens on 6 November 2026 and closes on 26 November 2026. Start with the Geology syllabus, build a daily routine and wait for the detailed notification before you apply.
Before You Apply – Quick Checklist
- Check that you hold a B.Sc. degree in Geology from a recognised university.
- Calculate your age as on 1 July 2026 and compare it with the limit for your category.
- Keep your degree certificate, marksheets, category certificate and ID proof ready.
- Keep a recent photograph and signature scanned as per the notice.
- Read the detailed notification fully once it is released.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Ignoring Geology because General Studies looks easier
- Guessing too many questions and losing marks to negative marking
- Studying only current affairs and skipping Andhra Pradesh basics
- Not practising on a computer, although the exam is computer based
- Waiting for the exam date before starting preparation
- Believing fake syllabus PDFs shared on social media
Important Links |
|
| Apply Online (Opens 6 November 2026) | click here |
| Official Website (APPSC) | click here |
| firstjob24 jobs | click here |
| join whatsapp channel | click here |
| subscribe on youtube | click here |
APPSC Technical Assistant Syllabus 2026 – FAQs
Q. What is the APPSC Technical Assistant syllabus 2026?
A. Paper I covers General Studies and Mental Ability. Paper II covers Geology, including general geology, mineralogy, petrology, palaeontology and Indian stratigraphy.
Q. What is the exam pattern?
A. It is a computer-based objective test with two papers of 150 questions and 150 marks each. Each paper is 150 minutes long.
Q. How many questions are asked in total?
A. There are 300 questions in total: 150 in each paper.
Q. Is there negative marking?
A. Yes. One-third of the marks of a question is cut for each wrong answer.
Q. Is there a screening test?
A. No. The exam pattern says there is no separate screening test.
Q. How many vacancies are there?
A. There are 36 provisional vacancies under Notification No. 32/2026.
Q. What is the last date to apply?
A. The last date is 26 November 2026, up to 11:59 PM.
Q. When is the exam?
A. The exam date is not announced yet.
