The Food Corporation of India (FCI), one of the largest Public Sector Undertakings under the Government of India, is expected to announce a massive recruitment drive for Assistant Grade 3 (AG-III) and other Category 3 posts in 2026. According to multiple reliable job portals and educational platforms, the upcoming notification is anticipated to fill approximately 33,566 vacancies across various departments.
Important Note: The information provided below is compiled
based on expected patterns, previous year notifications, and projections.
Candidates are advised to refer to the official notification available at
`fci.gov.in` once it is released by the Food Corporation of India for final
confirmation.
FCI Assistant Grade 3 Recruitment 2026
The recruitment drive is expected to cover posts under Category
II (Manager) and Category III. For the Assistant Grade 3 posts specifically,
the projected vacancy split circulating among job portals suggests a
significant number of openings:
- Category II (Managerial Posts): ~6,221 vacancies
- Category III (Assistant Grade 3, JE, Steno, etc.): ~27,345
vacancies
- Total Anticipated Vacancies: 33,566
Zone-wise Distribution: The 33,566 vacancies are expected to
be distributed across FCI's five zones: North, South, East, West, and
North-East. A detailed zone-wise and category-wise (UR, SC, ST, OBC, EWS)
breakdown will be provided in the official notification PDF.
FCI Recruitment 2026 - Important Dates
While there have been conflicting dates on the web, the most
consistent timeline reported by sources like Oliveboard and Study Places
suggests that the official notification is likely to be released in September
2026. However, other platforms predict an earlier window. Based on the standard
recruitment cycle, the tentative schedule is as follows:
| Event | Expected Timeline |
|---|---|
| FCI AG 3 Official Notification Release | Expected September 2026 |
| Online Application Start Date | To be announced in the notification |
| Last Date to Apply | To be announced in the notification |
| FCI AG 3 Phase 1 Admit Card | Around 10 days before the exam |
| FCI AG 3 Phase 1 Exam Date | Expected December 2026 |
| FCI AG 3 Phase 2 Exam Date | Expected Early 2027 |
FCI Assistant Grade 3 Eligibility
Candidates must meet specific age and educational requirements to apply. Here are the expected eligibility conditions based on standard FCI guidelines:
Age Limit (As of 1st August 2026)
The age relaxation for reserved categories (SC/ST, OBC,
PwBD, Ex-Servicemen) will apply as per central government rules.
| Post Name | Age Limit |
|---|---|
| Assistant Grade III (General/Accounts/Technical/Depot) | 18 to 27/28 Years |
| Junior Engineer (JE) | 18 to 28 Years |
| Stenographer Grade II | 18 to 25 Years |
| Typist (Hindi) | 18 to 25 Years |
Educational Qualification (as of Last Date of
Application)
The educational requirements vary depending on the specific
post under Category III. A graduation degree in any discipline is the minimum
requirement for general posts, with specific qualifications required for
technical roles.
| Post Name | Educational Qualification |
|---|---|
| AG‑III (General/Depot) | Graduate in any discipline from a recognized university |
| AG‑III (Accounts) | Graduate in any discipline with proficiency in Accounts/Finance |
| AG‑III (Technical) | B.Sc. in Agriculture / Botany / Zoology / Bio‑Technology / Bio‑Chemistry OR B.E./B.Tech in Food Science |
| Junior Engineer (Civil/Electrical/Mechanical) | B.E./B.Tech in relevant engineering discipline |
| Stenographer Grade II | 12th Pass with shorthand and typing speed proficiency |
FCI Assistant Grade 3 Recruitment - Exam Pattern
The selection process for Assistant Grade 3 posts generally
consists of a Phase 1 (Preliminary) and a Phase 2 (Mains) online examination. Note:
Phase 1 marks are qualifying in nature and are not counted toward the final
merit list.
Phase 1 Exam Pattern (Common for All AG-III Posts)
There will be a negative marking of one-fourth (0.25) marks
for each wrong answer.
- Total Questions: 100
- Total Marks: 100
- Total Duration: 60 Minutes (Sectional timing of 15 minutes
each)
| Section | No. of Questions | Max Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| English Language | 25 | 25 | 15 min |
| Reasoning Ability | 25 | 25 | 15 min |
| Numerical Ability | 25 | 25 | 15 min |
| General Studies (History, Geography, Current Affairs, Class 8 Science) | 25 | 25 | 15 min |
Phase 2 Exam Pattern (Post-Specific)
Candidates who qualify Phase 1 will be called for Phase 2.
The exam pattern differs based on the post code applied for.
Paper I (Common for AG-III General, Depot, Accounts,
Technical):
- Subjects: English, Reasoning, Numerical Ability, General
Studies (similar to Phase 1 but with more depth and questions).
- Total Questions: 120 (1 mark each)
- Total Marks: 120
- Duration: 90 Minutes
Paper II (Post Specific - Professional Knowledge):
- Applicable for: AG-III (Accounts), AG-III (Technical),
AG-III (Hindi), Junior Engineer
- Total Questions: 60 (2 marks each)
- Total Marks: 120
- Duration: 60 Minutes
FCI Assistant Grade 3 Syllabus
Phase 1 Syllabus Highlights
- English Language: Reading Comprehension, Cloze Test, Error
Spotting, Fill in the blanks, Para Jumbles, Vocabulary (Synonyms/Antonyms) .
- Reasoning Ability: Puzzles (Seating Arrangement,
Floor-based), Syllogism, Coding-Decoding, Blood Relations, Direction Sense,
Inequalities, Data Sufficiency.
- Numerical Ability: Data Interpretation (Bar Graph, Pie
Chart, Table), Simplification, Number Series, Arithmetic Problems (Profit/Loss,
SI/CI, Time & Work, Speed & Distance), Average, Ratio & Proportion.
- General Studies: Current Affairs (last 6 months), Static
GK, Indian History, Geography, Economics, and General Science up to Class 8
level.
Phase 2 Syllabus Highlights (Professional Knowledge)
- For AG-III (Accounts): Basic Accounting Principles,
Commerce, Auditing, Taxation, Financial Awareness.
- For AG-III (Technical): Agriculture, Botany, Zoology, Food
Science, Biotechnology, Entomology, and Chemistry as per graduation standard.
FCI AG 3 Selection process
FCI Assistant Grade 3 Recruitment 2026 is expected to follow
a two-phase online examination structure, similar to previous recruitment
cycles.
Here is the detailed breakdown of each stage:
Phase 1: Preliminary Examination (Qualifying)
This is a common screening test for all applicants. It is qualifying
in nature, meaning the marks you secure here will not be counted toward your
final merit ranking.
- Format: Online Computer-Based Test (CBT) with 100
Multiple-Choice Questions (MCQs)
- Duration: 60 minutes (Sectional timing of 15 minutes per
section)
- Subjects: English Language, Reasoning Ability, Numerical
Aptitude, and General Studies (including History, Geography, General Science up
to Class 8 level, and Current Affairs)
- Marking Scheme: Each correct answer awards 1 mark. There
is a negative marking of 0.25 marks (or one-fourth) for every incorrect answer.
Phase 2: Main Examination (Merit-Based)
Candidates who clear Phase 1 will be shortlisted for Phase
2. The structure of Phase 2 differs based on the specific AG-III post you have
applied for.
For AG-III (General / Depot)
- Papers: Only Paper I is required.
- Content: Tests English, Reasoning, Numerical Ability, and
General Awareness at a higher difficulty level than Phase 1.
- Final Merit: Based solely on the marks obtained in Phase
2, Paper I.
For AG-III (Accounts / Technical)
- Papers: Both Paper I (Common) and Paper II (Post-Specific)
are required.
- Paper I Content: Same as the General/Depot paper structure
(120 marks).
- Paper II Content: Assesses professional knowledge (e.g.,
Agriculture/Botany for Technical, Accounting principles for Accounts) with 60
questions worth 2 marks each (120 marks total).
- Final Merit: Based on combined marks from Paper I and
Paper II.
Post-Examination
Formalities
Following the online tests, shortlisted candidates will
undergo document verification to confirm their eligibility. A medical
examination may also be conducted to ensure fitness for the role.
Note on Interview: As noted in the search results, there is
no interview stage for Category III posts like Assistant Grade 3. Selection is
entirely exam-based, ensuring a transparent merit-driven process.
The FCI Assistant Grade 3 Recruitment 2026 presents a golden
opportunity for graduates seeking a stable and prestigious central government
job. With over 33,000 vacancies expected, competition will be high.
- Stay Updated: Keep checking the official FCI website
(`fci.gov.in`) for the authentic notification PDF.
- Start Early: Begin preparing for the Phase 1 syllabus, as
the General Studies and Arithmetic sections are scoring and qualifying.
- Verify Details: Once the official notification is out, cross-verify all age limits and educational qualifications specific to your chosen post.
