PPSC HDO Eligibility Criteria 2025, Age Limit, Qualification

PPSC HDO Eligibility Criteria 2025 are outlined under the official PPSC HDO Notification 2025, released on 17 October 2025. Candidates must meet the prescribed eligibility requirements, such as age limit, educational qualifications, and language proficiency, before applying for the PPSC HDO 2025.  

The age limit is generally 18–37 years as of January 1, 2025, with relaxations for SC/BC, government employees, and certain other categories. Only Indian citizens and some specific foreign categories, as notified by the Punjab Government, are eligible. Candidates falling under special exemption categories must comply with Punjabi language requirements within two years if selected.

PPSC HDO Eligibility Criteria 2025 Overview

PPSC Horticulture Development Officer (HDO) 2025 eligibility criteria ensure that applicants possess the right educational background, age range, and language skills needed for the role. Here is the summary of the key points related to the PPSC HDO Eligibility Criteria 2025: 

Check: PPSC HDO Syllabus 2025

APPSC JE Educational Qualification 

For PPSC HDO 2025, the educational qualification criteria focus on relevant academic backgrounds in horticulture or agriculture. Candidates are expected to have specific degrees from recognised institutions to be eligible for this post. 

Here is the detailed educational qualification under the PPSC HDO Eligibility Criteria 2025: 

• Applicants should hold a B.Sc. (Agriculture) with horticulture as an elective or an Experiential Learning Programme (ELP) in Horticulture, or a B.Sc. (Horticulture) from a recognised university, achieving at least 50% marks. 
• Moreover, a master’s degree (M.Sc.) in Horticulture from a recognised institution is also required. 
• These qualifications must all be attained on or before November 14, 2025, the final date for submitting applications.

PPSC HDO Eligibility Criteria 2025: Language Proficiency

For language proficiency, candidates must have studied  Punjabi at the Matriculation level, either as a main or optional subject, or hold an equivalent certification in Punjabi as accepted by the Punjab Government.  

This ensures that candidates have met the foundational understanding of the Punjab Language as required by the authorities. There are a few exemptions as discussed below: 

• Candidates who are children of Defence Personnel and are genuine residents of Punjab will need to clear the Punjabi language test within two years after their appointment. 
• However, this requirement does not apply to war heroes, their widows, or their dependent family members. They are exempt from taking this test.

Check: PPSC HDO Salary

PPSC HDO Age Limit

PPSC HDO Eligibility Criteria 2025 prescribes a maximum age limit of 37 years, while the minimum age limit is 18 years for the General categories. For certain sections, the authorities have given age relaxations. The age regulations are granted based on the Punjab Civil Services (General and Common Conditions of Service) Rules, 1994, as amended. 

Here is the summary of the PPSC HDO Age Limit across various categories. 

Punjab PSC HDO Nationality

Punjab Public Service Commission (PPSC) requires candidates applying for the Horticulture Development Officer (HDO) position to be Indian citizens. 

The detailed Punjab PSC HDO Nationality requirements are as follows: 

1. Candidates must be Indian citizens, OR
2. Citizen of Nepal, or
3. Subject of Bhutan, or
4. Candidates who are Tibetan refugees must have to India before 1 January 1962 for permanent settlement, OR
5. A person of Indian origin migrated from Pakistan, Burma, Sri Lanka, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Zambia, Malawi, Zaire, Ethiopia, or Vietnam for permanent settlement in India. 

Note: Candidates under the (II) to (V) categories have to present the certificate of eligibility issued by the Government of Punjab, Department of Home Affairs and Justice. 

Number of Attempts in PPSC HDO

There is no fixed limit on the number of attempts for the PPSC Horticulture Development Officer (HDO) exam. Candidates can apply for the exam as many times as they meet the eligibility criteria and complete the application process within the given deadlines.

PPSC HDO Application Forms Scrutiny and Disqualification Conditions

All candidates who apply for the PPSC HDO exam will initially be allowed to appear for the written test on a provisional basis. However, a thorough verification of documents will take place after the exam, and anyone found ineligible at any stage will be disqualified

Candidates will be disqualified if: 

• The application fee has not been paid, or insufficient payment. 
• Incomplete or unsigned submission of application forms.
• Providing incomplete information. 
• The candidates have been barred from the PPSC or other commissions.
• Not meeting the age, education, or category certificate criteria specified in the PPSC HDO Eligibility Criteria 2025 guidelines. 

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