🌾 Sri Lanka Agricultural Service Grade III Limited Competitive Examination 2024 (2026)
The Public Service Commission, under the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation, has called applications from eligible public officers for the Limited Competitive Examination for Recruitment to Grade III of the Sri Lanka Agricultural Service – 2024 (2026).
A total of 125 vacancies are available under three streams: Agricultural Development, Agricultural Research and Agricultural Economics.
📢 Important: Applications must be submitted online through the Department of Examinations, Sri Lanka.
📌 Key Details
| 📝 Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Examination | Limited Competitive Examination for Recruitment to Grade III of the Sri Lanka Agricultural Service – 2024 (2026) |
| Ministry | Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation |
| Authority | Public Service Commission |
| Number of Vacancies | 125 |
| Application Opens | 21 September 2026 – 9.00 a.m. |
| Application Closing Date | 16 October 2026 – 9.00 p.m. |
| Examination | January 2027 |
| Examination Centre | Colombo only |
| Application Method | Online |
| Examination Fee | Rs. 1,200 |
| Examination Languages | Sinhala / Tamil / English |
The Gazette states that the examination is expected to be conducted by the Commissioner General of Examinations in January 2027 in Colombo.
👨🌾 Available Posts & Vacancies
The recruitment covers the following three streams:
🌱 1. Agricultural Development
Post: Assistant Director of Agriculture (Agricultural Development)
🔢 Vacancies: 75
📌 Post Code: 1
🔬 2. Agricultural Research
Post: Assistant Director of Agriculture (Agricultural Research)
🔢 Vacancies: 44
📌 Post Code: 2
📊 3. Agricultural Economics
Post: Assistant Director of Agriculture (Agricultural Economics)
🔢 Vacancies: 06
📌 Post Code: 3
The Gazette lists 75 vacancies for Agricultural Development, 44 for Agricultural Research and 6 for Agricultural Economics.
🎓 Who Can Apply?
This is a limited competitive examination for eligible public officers. Applicants must have completed the prescribed qualifications by the closing date of applications.
🌱 Agricultural Development Stream
Eligible categories include officers serving as Agricultural Instructors, Garden Assistants and eligible Associate Officer Service officers who meet the required service and educational qualifications.
For example, an eligible Associate Officer must have obtained a four-year Bachelor’s degree in Agriculture from a university recognized by the University Grants Commission and completed five years of active and satisfactory service under the Department of Agriculture or Provincial Departments of Agriculture, with the required involvement in agricultural duties.
📊 Agricultural Economics Stream
Eligible applicants include:
- Officers holding the post of Economist Assistant with at least 5 years of active and satisfactory service; or
- Eligible Associate Officer Service officers possessing a four-year Bachelor’s degree in Agriculture from a UGC-recognized university and completing the required five years of active and satisfactory service.
🔬 Agricultural Research Stream
Eligible categories include officers serving as:
- Research Assistant
- Soil Surveyor
- Land Evaluation Officer
- Eligible Associate Officer Service officers
The notification also specifies relevant degree and service requirements, including certain four-year Bachelor’s degrees in Agriculture and specified Bachelor of Science subjects.
⚠️ Important: Officers in the Associate Officer Service Category can apply under only one stream among Agricultural Development, Agricultural Economics and Agricultural Research.
🧠 Examination Structure
The written examination consists of two question papers:
📘 Paper I – Intelligence Test
⏱️ Duration: 1¼ hours
💯 Maximum Marks: 100
✅ Pass Marks: 40
This paper is designed to assess linguistic, mathematical and logical ability.
📚 Paper II – Subject Matter Paper
⏱️ Duration: 2 hours
💯 Maximum Marks: 100
✅ Pass Marks: 40
The subject paper is based on the relevant post and stream. Candidates must obtain at least 40% in each question paper to pass the written examination.
🎯 Structured Interview & Seniority Marks
Candidates who pass the written examination will be considered for a structured interview.
Seniority marks are awarded based on the period of active service from the date of fulfilling the prescribed qualification up to the closing date of applications.
🏆 A maximum of 30 marks can be awarded for seniority:
- 2 marks for each year of qualifying active service
- 1 mark for a period of service extending to 180 days or more
The final merit list for each post will be prepared by combining the written examination marks and seniority marks.
💼 Appointment & Service Conditions
Selected candidates will be recruited to Grade III of the Sri Lanka Agricultural Service.
The post is:
✅ Permanent
✅ Pensionable
Appointees must agree to serve in any part of Sri Lanka. Officers may also be required to serve in Provincial Public Services according to the requirements of the service.
Officers appointed through the Limited Competitive Examination will be subject to a one-year acting period and must pass the First Efficiency Bar Examination within three years.
💰 Monthly Salary Scale
According to the Gazette, the consolidated monthly salary scale assigned to these posts under Public Administration Circular 10/2025 is:
💵 SL-01-2025
Rs. 82,150 – 2,400 × 10 – 2,940 × 8 – 3,900 × 17 – Rs. 195,970
Salaries will be paid according to Schedule III of Public Administration Circular 10/2025.
📝 How to Apply
Applications must be submitted online through the Department of Examinations, Sri Lanka.
🌐 The application is available under:
Our Service → Online Applications → Recruitment / E.B Exams
on the Department of Examinations website.
📅 Applications open: 21 September 2026 at 9.00 a.m.
⏰ Applications close: 16 October 2026 at 9.00 p.m.
Applicants must complete the online examination application strictly in English. The Department will notify applicants regarding acceptance or rejection of the submitted application by SMS or email.
💳 Examination Fee – Rs. 1,200
The examination fee can be paid through the payment methods provided by the online system, including:
💳 Bank credit card
💳 Bank debit card with internet transactions
🏦 Bank of Ceylon online banking / Flex app
🏦 Any branch of Bank of Ceylon
The examination fee is non-refundable and cannot be transferred to another examination.
🌐 Examination Medium
The examination will be conducted in:
🇱🇰 Sinhala
🇱🇰 Tamil
🇬🇧 English
The language selected in the application cannot be changed later, and applicants must answer all examination papers in the same language.
📚 Examination Syllabus
The Gazette includes detailed syllabuses for the three streams.
🔬 Agricultural Research
The syllabus includes areas such as:
🌱 Agricultural Botany
🧬 Genetics and Plant Breeding
🌿 Plant Pathology
🐛 Entomology
🌾 Seed Technology
🧫 Tissue Culture
🧪 Agricultural Chemistry
🌱 Agronomy
🌾 Crop Science
🌍 Soil Science
📊 Biometrics and Applied Statistics
🦠 Microbiology
Candidates applying for Agricultural Research must select one of the two specified sections of the subject paper.
🌾 Agricultural Development
The syllabus covers areas including:
🌱 General Agriculture
🌾 Crop Production
🌿 Field Crops
🚜 Crop Management
🍎 Horticultural Crop Production
🥕 Fruit, Vegetable & Flower Production
👨🌾 Agricultural Extension & Training
🌾 Seed Technology
🐝 Apiculture
📈 Agricultural Economics
The syllabus includes:
💰 Agricultural Production Economics & Farm Management
📣 Agricultural Marketing
🌍 Land Economics
The Gazette specifies areas such as production functions, farm management, agricultural marketing institutions in Sri Lanka, agricultural product marketing problems, land use planning and colonization and settlement programmes.
🪪 Documents Required for the Examination
Applicants must prove their identity at the examination hall using one of the following valid documents:
🪪 National Identity Card
🛂 Valid Passport
🚗 Valid Driving Licence
Candidates must also comply with the examination hall identification requirements specified in the Gazette.
⚠️ Important Application Instructions
Before submitting the application, applicants should carefully check all eligibility requirements.
🔹 The application must be completed in English.
🔹 Applicants should download and follow the official instruction sheet before completing the online application.
🔹 Incomplete applications and applications received after the closing date will be rejected without prior notice.
🔹 Applicants should keep copies of the submitted application and examination fee receipt.
🔹 Original certificates proving the qualifications stated in the application must be produced at the interview.
📅 Important Dates at a Glance
📌 Gazette Date: 18 September 2026
📌 Online Applications Open: 21 September 2026 – 9.00 a.m.
📌 Online Applications Close: 16 October 2026 – 9.00 p.m.
📌 Expected Examination: January 2027
📌 Examination Centre: Colombo
📥 Download the Official Gazette
Candidates are strongly advised to read the complete official Gazette notification, including the eligibility requirements, application instructions, examination procedure, syllabus and specimen application form, before applying.
📄 Official Gazette: Limited Competitive Examination for Recruitment to Grade III of the Sri Lanka Agricultural Service – 2024 (2026)
👉 Download and carefully read the complete Gazette PDF before submitting your application.
🔔 Final Reminder
If you are an eligible public officer interested in joining Grade III of the Sri Lanka Agricultural Service, make sure your application is submitted before:
🚨 16 October 2026 at 9.00 p.m.
Do not wait until the final day to submit your application.
Source: Gazette of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, Part I: Section (IIA), dated 18 September 2026.
📢 Gazette Advertisement – Sinhala Preview
📢 Gazette Advertisement – English Preview
Source – Gazette (2026.09.18)
