APPSC · Notification No. 09/2026

APPSC Assistant Director Economics & Statistics 2026

17 posts, three 150-mark papers, PG holders

  • 17 posts
  • Apply by 2 Nov 2026
  • 3 papers · 450 marks
  • 150 min per paper
  • Paper I ready · Paper II coming soon
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Official notification 09/2026 (PDF)

At a glance

Important dates

Notification
13 October 2026
Apply from
13 October 2026
Last date
2 November 2026, 11:59 PM
Exam date
Not announced yet

Vacancies

17 posts · provisional

Assistant Director Economics & Statistics exam pattern

PaperQsMinMarks
Paper I: General Studies & Mental Ability (Degree standard) 150 150 150
Paper II (P.G. standard) 150 150 150
Paper III (P.G. standard) 150 150 150
Total450

Paper I + Paper II: Economics and Statistics (PG standard) (coming soon)

Assistant Director Economics & Statistics: full course · ₹1,099₹599

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  • 4 previous papers
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  • In English and Telugu
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What Assistant Director Economics & Statistics really tests

Biggest block: Paper I: Current events (15%). How questions are asked.

Notification 09/2026 fills 17 Assistant Director posts through one online exam: three 150-mark objective papers, with 1/3 mark cut per wrong answer. Rank comes from the total out of 450, with no interview, but you must pass a 100-mark Computer Proficiency Test.

Based on No previous Assistant Director paper is analysed, so weights cover Paper I only: the common GS & MA paper from the 2022 and 2025 APPSC ASO exams (294 questions).

Paper I

  1. Current events15%
  2. History of India and AP14%
  3. Geography of India and AP13%
  4. Indian economy and planning12%
  5. Reasoning and analytical ability11%
  6. Environment and sustainable development9%
  7. Data analysis8%
  8. General science and S&T7%
  9. Polity and governance6%
  10. Disaster management5%
Share of each paper's questions, by topic, in the real papers.

Difficulty in the real papers

  • Easy 46%
  • Medium 39%
  • Hard 15%
  • Economy and data analysis gave 33 Paper I questions in 2022 and 27 in 2025, and overlap with Papers II and III.
  • History and geography gave 41 questions in 2022 and 40 in 2025, with Andhra Pradesh as the focus.
  • Polity and governance jumped from 3 questions in 2022 to 16 in 2025; do not skip it.
  • Para 16.5 bans calculators; Annexure III allows non-programmable ones only 'wherever necessary'. Practise hand calculation: assumed mean, step deviation, rank differences.

How questions are asked

  • Paper I: mostly direct questions (about 64% across 2022 and 2025)
  • Paper I: 2025 added 23 match-the-following and 9 multi-statement items
  • Paper I: numerical items were 20 in 2022 and 7 in 2025
  • Papers II and III: no previous paper analysed

The job and who can apply

Qualification, age limit and selection

Assistant Director in the A.P. Economics and Statistical Service, a multi-zonal post (pay scale Rs 57,100–1,47,760), allotted to Multi Zone-I or II by your preference.

Qualification
A PG degree in Mathematics, Pure Mathematics, Statistics, Economics with Statistics, Pure Economics, Applied Economics, Applied Statistics, Applied Mathematics, Econometrics or Computer Science, held on 13/10/2026.
Age
18 to 44 years as on 01/07/2026. Relaxation: SC, ST, BC, EWS 5 years; PBD 10 years; ex-servicemen and NCC instructors 3 years plus service.
Also
Local reservation: 95% of each multi zone's posts go to local candidates.
Also
BC Non-Creamy Layer and EWS certificates must be issued on or after 01/04/2026 and before the closing date.
Also
An 'equivalent' qualification needs its Government Order sent to APPSC within 10 days of the last date.
  1. Written exam (objective, online CBRT)Three 150-mark papers, 450 in all; merit rank from this total. Minimum aggregate: OC 40%, BC 35%, SC/ST/PBD 30%.
  2. Computer Proficiency Test (qualifying)60-minute, 100-mark test in Word, Excel and PowerPoint; qualifying only (OC 40, BC 35, SC/ST/PBD 30); typing speed counts 25%.
  3. Certificate verification and appointmentOriginals and medical fitness are checked. No waiting list: only the notified vacancies are filled.

Assistant Director Economics & Statistics syllabus

3 papers, 84 topics

Paper I ready · Paper II coming soon in Medha AI. Paper I: APPSC Paper I: General Studies & Mental Ability · Paper II: Economics and Statistics (PG standard) Coming soon

Full numbered syllabus: every topic, chapter and micro-topic (printable)

Paper I: General Studies & Mental Ability (Degree standard)

150 questions · 150 min · 150 marks

The common 10-item GS & MA syllabus. In 2022 and 2025, current events, history and geography gave about 20 questions each, economy plus data analysis about 30.

1. Current events
  • Major international, national and Andhra Pradesh events and issues
2. General science
  • Science in day-to-day life
  • Contemporary developments in science and technology
  • Information technology
3. History of India
  • Social, economic, cultural and political aspects
  • Focus on Andhra Pradesh
  • Indian National Movement
4. Geography
  • Geography of India with focus on Andhra Pradesh
5. Polity and governance
  • Constitutional issues
  • Public policy and reforms
  • e-Governance initiatives
6. Indian economy
  • Indian economy and planning
7. Environment
  • Sustainable development
  • Environmental protection
8. Disaster management
  • Vulnerability profile
  • Prevention and mitigation strategies
  • Remote sensing and GIS in disaster assessment
9. Reasoning
  • Logical reasoning
  • Analytical ability
  • Logical interpretation
10. Data analysis
  • Tabulation of data
  • Visual representation of data
  • Mean, median, mode and variance
  • Interpretation

Paper II: Economics, Accounting and Computers (P.G. standard)

150 questions · 150 min · 150 marks

Three economics items (theory, international, Indian) plus financial accounting and computer basics. English only.

1. Economic concepts
  • Production, consumption and demand
  • Elasticity
  • Market structures, equilibrium and price determination
  • National income: concepts and determinants; employment, consumption, savings, investment
  • Rate of interest and profit
  • Money, measures of money supply, velocity
  • Banks and credit creation; banks and portfolio management
  • Central bank and control of money supply
  • Price level; inflation: meaning, measurement, control
  • Public finance: budgets, taxes and non-tax revenue, budget deficits
2. International economics
  • Free trade and protection
  • Balance of payments accounts and adjustment
  • Exchange rates
  • International monetary system, world trading order, Bretton Woods system
  • IMF, World Bank and their associates
  • Sources of growth: capital, human capital, productivity, trade and aid, non-economic factors
3. Indian economics
  • Population: size, composition, quality, growth trend, occupational distribution, births and deaths
  • Mass poverty; unemployment and its types; inequality; rural-urban disparities
  • Foreign trade, balance of payments, external debt
  • Inflation, parallel economy, fiscal deficit
  • Sectoral trends and regional disparities
  • Planning in India: major controversies, NITI Aayog
  • Fiscal, monetary, industrial, trade and agricultural policies
4. Financial accounting
  • Accounting concepts and conventions
  • Journal, ledger posting, subsidiary books including cash book
  • Bank reconciliation statement
  • Trial balance and final accounts
  • Errors and rectification
  • Depreciation and reserves
  • Single entry and non-trading concerns
5. Basics of computers
  • Binary, octal and hexadecimal systems and conversion to and from decimal
  • Codes, bits, bytes and words; computer memory
  • Arithmetic and logical operations on numbers
  • Algorithms and flow charts
  • Spreadsheets: cells, formulas and functions, editing, printing

Paper III: Statistics (P.G. standard)

150 questions · 150 min · 150 marks

Descriptive statistics from data collection to index numbers: concepts, properties and calculation. English only; prepare to work every formula by hand.

1. Introduction to statistics
  • Primary and secondary data
  • Random and non-random sampling
  • Definition of probability
  • Census; schedule and questionnaire
  • Frequency distribution and tabulation
  • Diagrams and graphs
2. Central tendency
  • Arithmetic, geometric and harmonic mean
  • Median, mode
  • Quartiles, deciles, percentiles
  • Properties and uses of averages
3. Dispersion and skewness
  • Range, quartile deviation, mean deviation, standard deviation
  • Coefficient of variation
  • Karl Pearson's and Bowley's skewness
  • Kurtosis; normal distribution
4. Correlation
  • Types and uses of correlation
  • Karl Pearson's coefficient
  • Spearman's rank correlation
  • Probable error
5. Time series and index numbers
  • Components of time series
  • Measuring trend and seasonal variation
  • Decomposition of time series
  • Price and quantity index numbers and their construction
  • Tests of adequacy
  • Base shifting and deflation
  • Cost of living index numbers and limitations

1/3 of a question's marks is deducted for each wrong answer, in all three papers.

Each wrong answer costs 1/3 of the marks for that question.

APPSC Paper I syllabus · APPSC Paper I study notes

A 14-week plan for Assistant Director Economics & Statistics

5 phases, week by week

Assumes a PG in economics, statistics or mathematics and about 5 hours a day; if the exam is announced early, shorten phases 2 and 3 first.

  1. Weeks 1-5

    Paper III statistics by hand

    • Averages, dispersion, skewness, correlation; probable error 0.6745(1 - r²)/√n.
    • Index numbers (only Fisher passes both reversal tests), time series, sampling and data basics.
    • Time 30 numerical questions with pen and paper, about 1 minute each.

  2. Weeks 6-8

    Paper II economics

    • Micro: elasticity and market structures; macro: national income, multiplier, money supply, credit creation.
    • Inflation (WPI, CPI), deficits, BOP, exchange rates, Bretton Woods, IMF, World Bank, WTO.
    • Indian economy: population, poverty, unemployment, planning to NITI Aayog, budgets; also covers Paper I.

  3. Weeks 9-10

    Paper II accounting and computers

    • Accounting: journal to final accounts, bank reconciliation, rectification of errors, depreciation.
    • Number system conversions, complements, flow charts, spreadsheet references and functions.
    • One hour on Word, Excel, PowerPoint and typing practice for the CPT.

  4. Weeks 11-12

    Paper I general studies

    • AP history: Satavahanas to Vijayanagara; national and Andhra movements to 1953 and 1956.
    • AP and India geography, polity, environment and disaster management (Sendai Framework, remote sensing, GIS).
    • Reasoning: series, coding-decoding, blood relations, directions, syllogisms; 20 questions a day.

  5. Weeks 13-14

    Full mocks and revision

    • All three papers under exam conditions: 150 minutes each, no calculator, negative marking.
    • Use APPSC's Mock Test on psc.ap.gov.in to learn the CBRT screen.
    • Keep an error log by syllabus line; revise formula and accounting sheets last.

Mistakes that cost marks

5 traps seen in the real papers
  • Treating Paper II as only economics: accounting and computers gave 32 and 28 questions in ASO Paper II.
  • Practising Paper III with a calculator; untimed hand calculation costs minutes on every numerical item.
  • Blind guessing: with a 1/3 cut, answer only when you can eliminate at least one option.
  • Ignoring Paper I: it carries 150 of the 450 marks.
  • Skipping the CPT: it is qualifying only, but failing it ends your selection.

తెలుగులో సంక్షిప్తంగా

In brief, in Telugu

నోటిఫికేషన్ 09/2026 ద్వారా 17 అసిస్టెంట్ డైరెక్టర్ పోస్టులను ఒకే ఆన్‌లైన్ పరీక్షతో భర్తీ చేస్తారు: ఒక్కొక్కటి 150 మార్కుల మూడు ఆబ్జెక్టివ్ పేపర్లు, ప్రతి తప్పు సమాధానానికి 1/3 మార్కు కోత. 450 మార్కులలో వచ్చిన మొత్తమే ర్యాంకును నిర్ణయిస్తుంది, ఇంటర్వ్యూ లేదు, కానీ 100 మార్కుల కంప్యూటర్ ప్రొఫిషియెన్సీ టెస్ట్‌లో అర్హత సాధించాలి.

How to apply

Online at psc.ap.gov.in, by 2 Nov 2026
  1. Read notification 09/2026 on the official APPSC website.
  2. Go to psc.ap.gov.in. If you are new, register with One Time Profile Registration (OTPR).
  3. Apply online between 13 October 2026 and 2 November 2026, up to 11:59 PM.

Medha AI does not take applications or fees. Apply only on the official APPSC website.

Dates are from the official notification, checked on 20 October 2026. We list an exam date only after the commission announces it. Recheck psc.ap.gov.in for changes. Vacancies in a notification are provisional and can change.

Sources: APPSC detailed notification 09/2026 (13/10/2026): p.1 (vacancies, CBRT, mock test), p.2 (qualification, equivalence), pp.3-4 (BC Non-Creamy Layer and EWS certificates), pp.4-6 (age, relaxation, local reservation), pp.7-8 (corrections), p.8 (fee, scheme, negative marks), p.9 (normalisation, CPT shortlist, centres, language), pp.9-10 (no waiting list, G.O.Ms.No.8, distance-education degrees), p.11 (selection, minimum marks), p.12 (banned devices), pp.13-14 Annexure I (vacancy break-up), pp.15-19 Annexure II (scheme, syllabus, CPT), pp.20-22 Annexure III (CBT screen, rough sheet, calculators); APPSC brief notification 09/2026 (15/09/2026): p.2 (single-level exam, no screening test), pp.3-5 (scheme and syllabus); APPSC detailed notification 20/2026, Assistant Statistical Officer, Annexure II pp.15-16 (same subject syllabus at degree standard); Medha AI level analysis of the common Paper I and ASO Paper II, 2022 and 2025 APPSC ASO papers with final keys (docs/exams/APPSC-P1-level.md).

APPSC Assistant Director Economics & Statistics questions

14 common questions, answered
Is there a screening test or interview?

No. It is a single-level written exam (450 marks); merit decides, subject to passing the Computer Proficiency Test.

My PG is M.A. Economics without statistics. Am I eligible?

Pure Economics, Applied Economics and Economics with Statistics are listed in the detailed notification, which counts. Other degree names must be recognised equivalents, with the Government Order sent to APPSC within 10 days of the last date.

Can M.Com, MBA or M.Sc. Computer Science candidates apply?

Computer Science is in the list. M.Com and MBA are not; only the listed subjects or a recognised equivalent are accepted.

I am in the final year of my PG. Can I apply?

The qualification must be held on 13/10/2026, the date of the detailed notification. A degree completed after that does not qualify.

In which language are the papers?

Paper I is in English with a Telugu translation; the English version is final. Papers II and III are in English only.

When is the exam?

Not announced yet. It is computer based, at Visakhapatnam, Vijayawada, Tirupati and Ananthapuramu; you choose three centre preferences.

How is this different from the Assistant Statistical Officer exam?

ASO (notification 20/2026) has two degree-standard papers. Assistant Director has the same Paper I plus Papers II and III, which split ASO Paper II's syllabus at P.G. standard. Separate applications.

When can I apply and what is the fee?

Online at psc.ap.gov.in from 13/10/2026 to 02/11/2026 via your OTPR ID. Fee: Rs 250 plus Rs 120 exam fee; SC, ST, BC, PBD, ex-servicemen, white-card families and unemployed youth skip the Rs 120.

When is the APPSC Assistant Director Economics & Statistics exam 2026?

Not announced yet. Notification 09/2026 says the date will be announced later. Check the official APPSC website, psc.ap.gov.in.

What is the last date to apply for APPSC Assistant Director Economics & Statistics?

Online applications are open from 13 October 2026 to 2 November 2026, up to 11:59 PM, on psc.ap.gov.in.

How many posts are there in APPSC Assistant Director Economics & Statistics 2026?

17 posts as notified in 09/2026. The number is provisional and can change.

What is the APPSC Assistant Director Economics & Statistics exam pattern?

Paper I: General Studies & Mental Ability (Degree standard) (150 questions, 150 minutes, 150 marks). Paper II (P.G. standard) (150 questions, 150 minutes, 150 marks). Paper III (P.G. standard) (150 questions, 150 minutes, 150 marks). Total 450 marks. Each wrong answer costs 1/3 of the marks for that question.

Is there a syllabus for APPSC Assistant Director Economics & Statistics?

Yes. The scheme and syllabus are in an annexure of notification 09/2026. Paper I is General Studies & Mental Ability. You can practise it in Medha AI now with APPSC Paper I.

Where do I apply for APPSC Assistant Director Economics & Statistics?

Only on the official APPSC website, psc.ap.gov.in. Medha AI does not take applications. Medha AI is an independent preparation service. It is not affiliated with, endorsed by or connected to APPSC, TSPSC, MPSC, UPSC or any other commission or government body.

All APPSC notifications 2026 · APPSC exams on Medha AI

Medha AI is an independent preparation service. It is not affiliated with, endorsed by or connected to APPSC, TSPSC, MPSC, UPSC or any other commission or government body. Facts are from the official notification as checked on 20 October 2026.

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