APPSC · Notification No. 33/2026 · Brief notification

APPSC Royalty Inspector 2026

9 posts, decided by a 300-mark Geology paper

  • 9 posts
  • Opens 6 Nov 2026
  • 2 papers · 450 marks
  • 150 min per paper
  • Paper I ready · Paper II coming soon
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Official notification 33/2026 (PDF)

At a glance

Important dates

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

Vacancies

9 posts · provisional

Royalty Inspector exam pattern

PaperQsMinMarks
Paper I: General Studies & Mental Ability 150 150 150
Paper II: Geology 150 150 300
Total450

Paper I + Paper II: Geology (coming soon)

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What Royalty Inspector really tests

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

Royalty Inspector (AP Mines and Geology Service) has 9 provisional posts under notification 33/2026, filled by one computer-based exam with no screening test. Paper II Geology carries 300 of 450 marks, so degree-standard geology decides the result.

Based on No Royalty Inspector Geology paper analysed; Paper I figures come from the common APPSC Paper I of 2022 and 2025 (294 questions).

Paper I

  1. Current events15%
  2. History of India & AP14%
  3. Geography of India & AP13%
  4. Economy & planning12%
  5. Reasoning & analytical ability11%
  6. Sustainable development & environment8.5%
  7. Data analysis8.2%
  8. General science & S&T6.8%
  9. Polity & governance6.5%
  10. Disaster management5.1%
Share of each paper's questions, by topic, in the real papers.

Difficulty in the real papers

  • Easy 46%
  • Medium 39%
  • Hard 15%
  • One Paper II question equals two Paper I questions: 10 more right answers in Geology are worth 20 marks.
  • History, geography and current events made up 124 of 294 Paper I questions (about 42%).
  • Geography of India and AP (39 questions), environment (25) and disaster management (15) overlap with Geology.
  • Polity jumped from 3 questions in 2022 to 16 in 2025; do not skip it.

How questions are asked

  • Paper I: mostly direct questions (112 of about 147 in 2022)
  • Paper I: match-the-following appeared in 2025 (23 questions)
  • Paper I: numerical items were 20 in 2022 and 7 in 2025
  • Paper II: problem-type topics (stereonet, dip and strike, map reading) besides recall

The job and who can apply

Qualification, age limit and selection

A post in the AP Mines and Geology Service, pay Rs. 45,830 to 1,30,580; the brief notification does not list duties.

Qualification
Not in the brief notification; it comes in the detailed notification, due on or before 06/11/2026. Paper II is entirely Geology at degree standard.
Age
18 to 44 years as on 01/07/2026. Relaxations will be in the detailed notification.
Also
The 9 vacancies are provisional; breakup, fee and local rules come in the detailed notification.
Also
The date of the detailed notification is the crucial date for all eligibility conditions.
Also
Apply online only, at psc.ap.gov.in, from 06/11/2026 to 26/11/2026, 11:59 PM.
  1. Written exam (objective, CBRT)Paper I (150) and Paper II Geology (300), 450 marks. Single level, no screening test.
  2. Computer Proficiency Test (qualifying)60 minutes, 100 marks: Word, typing, Excel, PowerPoint. Minimum 40 OC, 35 BC, 30 SC/ST/PBD.
  3. Rest of the processInterview, verification and the merit rule are not in the brief notification.

Royalty Inspector syllabus

2 papers, 66 topics

Paper I ready · Paper II coming soon in Medha AI. Paper I: APPSC Paper I: General Studies & Mental Ability · Paper II: Geology Coming soon

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

Paper I: General Studies & Mental Ability

150 questions · 150 min · 150 marks

The common APPSC Paper I, 10-item syllabus. Mostly recall of history, geography, economy and current events, with about a fifth on reasoning and data.

1. Current events
  • Major current events and issues: international, national and Andhra Pradesh
2. General science
  • General science and its applications to day-to-day life
  • Contemporary developments in science and technology and information technology
3. History of India
  • Social, economic, cultural and political aspects
  • Focus on Andhra Pradesh and the Indian National Movement
4. Geography
  • Geography of India with focus on Andhra Pradesh
5. Indian polity and governance
  • Constitutional issues
  • Public policy and reforms
  • e-Governance initiatives
6. Indian economy and planning
  • Indian economy
  • Planning
7. Sustainable development and environmental protection
  • Sustainable development
  • Environmental protection
8. Disaster management
  • Vulnerability profile
  • Prevention and mitigation strategies
  • Remote sensing and GIS in assessing disasters
9. Logical reasoning
  • Logical reasoning
  • Analytical ability and logical interpretation
10. Data analysis
  • Tabulation and visual representation of data
  • Summary statistics: mean, median, mode and variance
  • Interpretation

Paper II: Geology

150 questions · 150 min · 300 marks

Degree-standard Geology, 2 marks a question, in four parts. Includes practical skills (stereonet problems, map reading, clinometer measurements) asked as MCQs.

Part I (a) General geology
  • Solar system; the Earth: origin, age and internal constitution
  • Volcanoes: types, distribution, geological effects and products
  • Earthquakes: intensity, magnitude, distribution, causes and effects
  • Isostasy, geosynclines, mountain building, continental drift, sea-floor spreading and plate tectonics (elementary ideas)
Part I (b) Geomorphology
  • Basic concepts; external and internal processes
  • Rock weathering; cycle of erosion
  • Fluvial landforms and drainage patterns
  • Aeolian, marine, glacial and karst landforms
  • Elements of remote sensing
Part I (c) Structural and field geology
  • Primary and secondary structures; dip and strike; unconformities
  • Folds, joints, faults, foliation and lineations; overthrusts and nappes; stages of rock deformation
  • Block diagrams; stereographic and equal-area nets; simple stereonet problems
  • Topographic maps; clinometer compass and field measurements
  • Principles of geological mapping; effect of topography on outcrops; drawing sections
Part II (a) Crystallography
  • Elements of crystal structure; laws of crystallography
  • Symmetry elements of the normal classes of the seven crystal systems
  • Light and crystalline matter; petrological microscope; the Nicol prism
  • Pleochroism, double refraction, extinction angle, birefringence, twinning
  • Isotropic, uniaxial and biaxial minerals
Part II (b) Mineralogy
  • Physical, chemical and optical properties of quartz, feldspar, mica, pyroxene, amphibole, olivine, garnet, chlorite, carbonates and aluminosilicates
  • Structure of silicates; crystal chemistry of minerals
  • Gemstones
Part II (c) Economic geology
  • Ore, ore mineral and gangue; classification of ore deposits and processes of formation
  • Occurrence, origin and distribution in India of ores of aluminium, chromium, copper, gold, lead, zinc, iron, manganese and radioactive elements
  • Minerals used as abrasives, refractories and in ceramics
  • Coal and petroleum deposits
  • Elements of prospecting for mineral deposits
Part III (a) Igneous petrology
  • Origin of magma; Bowen's reaction principle; crystallisation of binary systems
  • Classification, textures and structures of igneous rocks
  • Granite, syenite, diorite, mafic and ultramafic groups, anorthosites and alkaline rocks
Part III (b) Sedimentary petrology
  • Sedimentary processes and products; classification; sedimentary structures
  • Residual deposits; clastic deposits: classification, mineral composition, texture
  • Quartz arenites, arkoses and greywackes
  • Siliceous and calcareous deposits of chemical and organic origin
Part III (c) Metamorphic petrology
  • Types and factors of metamorphism; zones, grades and facies
  • Regional and contact metamorphism; textures and structures
  • Metamorphism of argillaceous, arenaceous, calcareous and basic rocks
  • Metasomatism
Part IV (a) Palaeontology
  • Habits and habitats of animals; fossils, fossilisation and modes of preservation; uses of fossils
  • Morphology and geological history of Foraminiferida, Brachiopoda, Bivalvia, Gastropoda, Cephalopoda, Trilobita, Echinoidea and Anthozoa
  • Mammals of the Siwalik Group; Gondwana flora
Part IV (b) Stratigraphy and geology of India
  • Laws of stratigraphy; lithostratigraphic, biostratigraphic and chronostratigraphic classification
  • Geological time scale
  • Physiographic divisions and outline of the stratigraphy of India
  • Dharwar, Vindhyan and Gondwana Supergroups and the Siwalik Group: subdivisions, lithology, fossils, distribution and economic importance

A wrong answer loses 1/3 of the question's marks: 0.33 in Paper I, 0.67 in Paper II.

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

APPSC Paper I syllabus · APPSC Paper I study notes

A 16-week plan for Royalty Inspector

4 phases, week by week

Assumes a geology graduate, about 3 hours a day; about two-thirds of the time goes to Paper II.

  1. Weeks 1-4

    Paper II Part II: crystallography, mineralogy, economic geology

    • Crystal systems and symmetry; optical mineralogy; one table of the listed minerals' optics
    • Silicate structures; ores and Indian belts, with AP deposits (Tummalapalle uranium, beach-sand monazite)
    • Paper I: Indian National Movement and modern AP history

  2. Weeks 5-8

    Paper II Part III: petrology

    • Igneous: Bowen's reaction series, binary systems, classification
    • Sedimentary rocks and structures; metamorphic zones, facies and products
    • Paper I: geography of India and AP, economy and planning

  3. Weeks 9-12

    Paper II Parts I and IV: general, structural geology and stratigraphy

    • General geology, geomorphology and remote sensing basics
    • Solve dip, strike and simple stereonet problems by hand each week
    • Fossil groups, geological time scale, Dharwar, Vindhyan, Gondwana and Siwalik; Paper I polity, environment

  4. Weeks 13-16

    Full mocks, error log, current events and the computer test

    • Full mock for each paper twice a week; error log by syllabus part
    • Revise 12 months of current events, with AP mining news
    • Twice a week, 30 minutes of typing and Office practice

Mistakes that cost marks

5 traps seen in the real papers
  • Giving both papers equal time. Geology is 300 of 450 marks.
  • Waiting for the detailed notification. The scheme and full syllabus are already in the brief notification.
  • Skipping practical topics: stereonet problems, apparent dip, outcrop patterns and map reading can be asked as MCQs.
  • Mixing up close pairs: earthquake intensity and magnitude, uniaxial and biaxial, Bowen's continuous and discontinuous branches.
  • Guessing freely in Paper II. A wrong answer costs 0.67; guess only after ruling out an option.

తెలుగులో సంక్షిప్తంగా

In brief, in Telugu

రాయల్టీ ఇన్‌స్పెక్టర్ (ఏపీ గనులు మరియు భూవిజ్ఞాన సర్వీస్) పోస్టులు నోటిఫికేషన్ 33/2026 ద్వారా 9 తాత్కాలిక ఖాళీలు; స్క్రీనింగ్ టెస్ట్ లేకుండా ఒకే కంప్యూటర్ ఆధారిత పరీక్షతో భర్తీ చేస్తారు. 450 మార్కుల్లో 300 పేపర్ II జియాలజీ (భూవిజ్ఞాన శాస్త్రం)కే ఉన్నాయి కాబట్టి డిగ్రీ స్థాయి జియాలజీయే ఫలితాన్ని నిర్ణయిస్తుంది.

How to apply

Online at psc.ap.gov.in, by 26 Nov 2026
  1. Read notification 33/2026 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 6 November 2026 and 26 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 brief notification 33/2026 dated 13/10/2026: p. 1 (vacancies, age, pay, application dates, detailed notification by 06/11/2026), p. 2 (single-level CBRT exam, no screening test, normalisation), p. 3 (scheme, negative marking, Paper I items 1-8), p. 4 (Paper I items 8-10, Paper II Parts I and II(a)), p. 5 (Paper II Parts II(b)-III), p. 6 (Paper II Part IV, CPT scheme), pp. 6-9 (CPT syllabus and assessment); Medha AI level analysis of the common Paper I: questions per syllabus item, difficulty and formats from the APPSC Assistant Statistical Officer 2022 (notification 20/2021) and 2025 (notification 12/2024) papers with final keys, docs/exams/APPSC-P1-level.md.

APPSC Royalty Inspector questions

14 common questions, answered
Who can apply? Is a Geology degree required?

The qualification will be in the detailed notification, due on or before 06/11/2026. Paper II is entirely Geology at degree standard.

How many posts are there?

9, provisional. The breakup comes in the detailed notification.

What is the age limit?

18 to 44 years as on 01/07/2026. Relaxations will be given in the detailed notification.

When can I apply?

Online at psc.ap.gov.in from 06/11/2026 to 26/11/2026, up to 11:59 PM.

Is there a screening test?

No. It is a single-level computer-based (CBRT) exam.

How many marks is each question?

Paper I: 1 mark (150 questions, 150 marks). Paper II Geology: 2 marks (150 questions, 300 marks). Each paper is 150 minutes. A wrong answer loses 1/3 of the question's marks.

Is Paper I the same as for other APPSC posts?

Yes. Most 2026 APPSC posts use the same 10-item syllabus, so the 2022 and 2025 common Paper I papers are the best practice.

When is the exam?

Not announced. Watch psc.ap.gov.in for the date and the hall ticket.

When is the APPSC Royalty Inspector exam 2026?

Not announced yet. Notification 33/2026 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 Royalty Inspector?

Online applications are open from 6 November 2026 to 26 November 2026, up to 11:59 PM, on psc.ap.gov.in.

How many posts are there in APPSC Royalty Inspector 2026?

9 posts as notified in 33/2026. The number is provisional and can change.

What is the APPSC Royalty Inspector exam pattern?

Paper I: General Studies & Mental Ability (150 questions, 150 minutes, 150 marks). Paper II: Geology (150 questions, 150 minutes, 300 marks). Total 450 marks. Each wrong answer costs 1/3 of the marks for that question.

Is there a syllabus for APPSC Royalty Inspector?

Yes. The scheme and syllabus are in an annexure of notification 33/2026. 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 Royalty Inspector?

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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