100+ Free OPSC AAO Practice Questions

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2026 Statistics

Key Facts: OPSC AAO Exam

200

Total MCQs

OPSC Syllabus

4 hours

Total Exam Time

OPSC Pattern

0.25

Negative Marking

OPSC Guidelines

B.Sc.

Minimum Degree

OPSC Eligibility

Odia

Language Exam

Class 8 Level

Group B

Service Category

Odisha Civil Service

The OPSC AAO exam is a state-level recruitment test featuring a written OMR exam of two papers (100 questions each, 2 hours each) followed by a personality test. Candidates must hold a B.Sc. in Agriculture or Horticulture. The syllabus covers core agricultural sciences, crop protection, soil chemistry, plant genetics, and agricultural extension/economics, with negative marking of 0.25 marks.

Sample OPSC AAO Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to test your OPSC AAO exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1A farmer wants to apply a recommended fertilizer dose of 120 kg Nitrogen per hectare to a paddy field. If urea containing 46% Nitrogen is the only available N fertilizer, how much urea (in kg) is required per hectare? (Round to the nearest whole number)

A.261 kg

B.552 kg

C.120 kg

D.200 kg

Explanation: To calculate the amount of fertilizer needed, use the formula: (Recommended dose of nutrient / Percentage of nutrient in fertilizer) * 100. Thus, (120 / 46) * 100 = 260.87 kg, which rounds to 261 kg urea per hectare. The other values represent incorrect applications of the dosage calculation or mixing up the nutrient ratio.

2Which of the following describes the 'Critical Period of Weed Competition' in crop cultivation?

A.The span of crop growth during which weed presence causes the maximum reduction in yield

B.The stage of crop senescence when weeds do not affect yield but interfere with harvesting

C.The period from sowing until crop emergence when soil must be sterilized

D.The entire crop growth cycle from planting to harvest

Explanation: The critical period of weed competition is the shortest span of crop growth during which weeds must be controlled to prevent unacceptable yield losses. If weeds are kept out of the field during this window (typically the first 1/3 of the crop lifecycle), subsequent weeds will not reduce yield. The other choices describe phases that do not impact yield so severely or are logistically impossible.

3In dryland agriculture, what is the primary distinction between 'Dry Farming' and 'Dryland Farming' based on annual rainfall?

A.Dry farming is exclusively done in cold deserts, whereas dryland farming is in hot deserts

B.Dry farming receives > 1150 mm, whereas dryland farming receives < 750 mm

C.Dry farming is done with supplemental irrigation, while dryland farming is completely rainfed

D.Dry farming receives < 750 mm, whereas dryland farming receives 750 mm to 1150 mm

Explanation: Dry farming refers to areas receiving less than 750 mm of annual rainfall, where crop failures are frequent and moisture conservation is key. Dryland farming refers to areas receiving 750 mm to 1150 mm, where drainage is sometimes required and crop failures are less common. Rainfed farming involves areas receiving >1150 mm rainfall. The other choices reverse the rainfall criteria or add incorrect geographical parameters.

4Calculate the land equivalent ratio (LER) for an intercropping system of maize and cowpea. The intercrop yields are: Maize = 3.0 t/ha, Cowpea = 0.8 t/ha. The sole crop yields are: Maize = 4.0 t/ha, Cowpea = 1.2 t/ha.

A.1.00

B.0.75

C.1.42

D.1.92

Explanation: Land Equivalent Ratio (LER) is calculated as: LER = (Yield of Crop A in intercrop / Yield of Crop A in sole crop) + (Yield of Crop B in intercrop / Yield of Crop B in sole crop). For this system: LER = (3.0 / 4.0) + (0.8 / 1.2) = 0.75 + 0.67 = 1.42. An LER > 1.0 indicates an yield advantage of intercropping. The other values are mathematical miscalculations or incorrect ratios.

5Under the National Programme for Organic Production (NPOP) guidelines, what is the standard conversion period for annual agricultural crops to be certified as organic?

A.24 months

B.36 months

C.12 months

D.48 months

Explanation: Under NPOP standards, the conversion period for annual crops (like cereals, vegetables) is a minimum of 24 months (2 years) from the date of registration. For perennial crops (like fruit orchards), the conversion period is 36 months (3 years). This period allows soil residues to break down and soil biology to restore. The other periods are either too short or too long under standard NPOP guidelines.

6Which of the following is the critical growth stage for irrigation in wheat, which if missed, leads to severe yield loss?

A.Tillering stage

B.Jointing stage

C.Milking stage

D.Crown Root Initiation (CRI) stage

Explanation: The Crown Root Initiation (CRI) stage occurs about 20-25 days after sowing (DAS) in wheat. It is the most critical stage for irrigation because the transition from seminal roots to crown roots occurs, and water stress at this stage severely restricts spikelet differentiation and root development. If irrigation is limited, the CRI stage must be prioritized. Tillering, jointing, and milking are also important but less critical than CRI.

7What is the recommended seed rate and age of seedlings for transplanting under the System of Rice Intensification (SRI)?

A.40-50 kg/ha seed rate with 30-35 day old seedlings

B.10-12 kg/ha seed rate with 18-20 day old seedlings

C.25-30 kg/ha seed rate with 21-25 day old seedlings

D.5-6 kg/ha seed rate with 10-12 day old seedlings

Explanation: In SRI, young seedlings (10-12 days old, with only two leaves) are transplanted to preserve their growth potential. Because they are planted singly at a wider spacing (25 x 25 cm), the seed rate is extremely low, typically 5-6 kg/ha. Traditional methods use much older seedlings and higher seed rates, which limits tillering potential. The other options describe conventional or semi-dry nursery practices.

8Which of the following organic manures has the narrowest C:N ratio, leading to the fastest release of nitrogen upon mineralization?

A.Groundnut cake

B.Wheat straw

C.Paddy straw

D.Farm Yard Manure (FYM)

Explanation: Groundnut cake is a concentrated organic manure with a very narrow C:N ratio (about 10:1 to 12:1) because of its high nitrogen content (~7% N). This narrow ratio causes rapid decomposition and quick release of inorganic nitrogen. Bulk manures like FYM decompose slower, while crop residues like wheat and paddy straws have very wide C:N ratios (>80:1), which leads to temporary N immobilization in the soil.

9Calculate the cropping intensity of a farm with a net sown area of 5 hectares, where a farmer grows rice on 5 hectares in Kharif, mustard on 3 hectares in Rabi, and summer moong on 2 hectares in Zaid.

A.200%

B.80%

C.150%

D.100%

Explanation: Cropping Intensity is calculated as: (Gross Cropped Area / Net Sown Area) * 100. The Net Sown Area is 5 ha. The Gross Cropped Area is the sum of areas under crops in all seasons: 5 (Kharif) + 3 (Rabi) + 2 (Zaid) = 10 ha. Therefore, Cropping Intensity = (10 / 5) * 100 = 200%. The other options are incorrect cropping intensity calculations.

10Which of the following cropping systems is defined as growing two or more crops simultaneously on the same field without any definite row pattern?

A.Relay cropping

B.Intercropping

C.Mixed cropping

D.Sequence cropping

Explanation: Mixed cropping is the simultaneous cultivation of two or more crops on the same piece of land without distinct row arrangements (e.g., mixing seeds together and broadcasting). Intercropping involves distinct row patterns. Sequence cropping refers to growing crops one after another. Relay cropping involves planting a second crop into the standing first crop before its harvest.

About the OPSC AAO Exam

The OPSC Assistant Agriculture Officer (AAO) exam is a highly competitive state-level recruitment test for agricultural professionals in Odisha. The exam assesses comprehensive knowledge in core agricultural disciplines at the B.Sc. level, including agronomy, crop production, soil science, horticulture, seed technology, plant breeding, crop protection, and agricultural economics.

Assessment

100 multiple-choice questions per paper (Paper I & II), 1 mark each, with -0.25 negative marking.

Time Limit

2 hours per paper

Passing Score

Cutoff scores vary based on the merit of the written test.

Exam Fee

Free (Exempted) (Odisha Public Service Commission (OPSC))

OPSC AAO Exam Content Outline

20%

Agriculture Science

Agronomy principles, cropping patterns, organic farming standards, weed biology, water management, and sustainable agriculture systems.

15%

Horticulture

Fruit tree propagation, vegetable physiology, greenhouse technologies, floriculture pruning and training, and physiological disorders.

15%

Plant Protection & Forestry

Insect pest management, plant disease epidemiology (fungi, bacteria, viruses), agroforestry species selection, and agro-meteorology indicators.

15%

Soil Science & Fertility

Soil physical properties, cation exchange, soil testing procedures, nutrient deficiencies, and reclamation of acid/sodic soils.

20%

Plant Science

Genetics crosses, breeding methodologies, seed purity testing, dormancy breaking, photosynthesis mechanisms, and plant growth regulators.

15%

Agricultural Economics & Extension

Law of diminishing returns, marketing margins, extension methodologies, KVK and ATMA structures, and statistical research designs.

How to Pass the OPSC AAO Exam

What You Need to Know

Passing score: Cutoff scores vary based on the merit of the written test.
Assessment: 100 multiple-choice questions per paper (Paper I & II), 1 mark each, with -0.25 negative marking.
Time limit: 2 hours per paper
Exam fee: Free (Exempted)

Keys to Passing

Complete 500+ practice questions
Score 80%+ consistently before scheduling
Focus on highest-weighted sections
Use our AI tutor for tough concepts

OPSC AAO Study Tips from Top Performers

1Focus heavily on numerical problems: practice calculations for fertilizer requirements, seed rates, Land Equivalent Ratio (LER), and genetics recombination frequencies.

2Thoroughly review physiological disorders of major fruit and vegetable crops, including their mineral deficiency or environmental causes.

3Understand the soil taxonomic orders and soil problems specific to Odisha, such as acid soil reclamation using liming materials.

4Memorize the color codes and certification agency tags for breeder, foundation, and certified seeds.

5Study official central and state government agricultural schemes, especially KVK structures, ATMA, and Odisha's KALIA program.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the eligibility criteria for the OPSC AAO exam?

Candidates must hold a Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) degree in Agriculture or Horticulture from a recognized university. Additionally, they must be able to read, write, and speak Odia, and must have passed Class 8 or Matriculation with Odia as a language subject.

Is there an application fee for the OPSC AAO recruitment?

As per the general directives of the Government of Odisha since 2022, application fees for all state government recruitment exams, including OPSC AAO, are exempted for all categories of candidates.

What is the structure of the OPSC AAO written exam?

The written exam consists of two papers, each with 100 objective-type multiple-choice questions (MCQs) for 100 marks. The duration of each paper is 2 hours. A negative marking of 0.25 marks is applied for each incorrect answer.

What are the subjects covered in Paper I and Paper II?

Paper I primarily covers Agronomy, Farming Systems, Sustainable Agriculture, Organic Farming, Crop Production Technology, Horticulture, and Plant Protection. Paper II covers Soil Science & Fertility, Seed Technology, Genetics & Plant Breeding, Crop Physiology, Agricultural Extension, Economics, and Statistics.

Is there an interview stage in the selection process?

Yes. Candidates who qualify in the written examination based on the cutoff marks set by the commission are called for an interview (Personality Test) worth 25 marks. The final merit list is prepared by combining marks from both the written exam and the interview.

100+ Free OPSC AAO Practice Questions

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