FCI AG-III Technical
Exam Preparation
Everything you need to crack the Food Corporation of India AG-III (Technical) exam. 27,000+ expected vacancies, no interview, government job security. 6 subjects, 448 lessons, AI-powered quizzes, and spaced repetition — all in one place.
What is FCI AG-III (Technical)?
The Food Corporation of India (FCI) is India's premier food security organization, established in 1965. It handles procurement, storage, transportation, and distribution of food grains through the Public Distribution System (PDS). FCI AG-III (Technical) officers are responsible for grain quality testing, procurement inspection, storage management, and pest control at FCI depots across India.
With 27,000+ expected vacancies for AG-III, this is one of the largest government recruitment drives. Unlike banking exams, FCI Category III has no interview — selection is purely exam-based. Agriculture graduates can leverage their domain knowledge in the Technical Paper (120 marks) for a strong advantage.
Subject Modules
Complete coverage of all sections for FCI AG-III (Technical).
About FCI AG-III (Technical) Exam
Everything you need to know about the FCI AG-III Technical exam — eligibility, exam pattern, syllabus, salary, cutoff, and preparation strategy.
Botany
Group A Botany for FCI AG-III Technical exam. Covers cell biology, genetics, plant diversity, ecology, plant physiology, and biochemistry with an concept-focused roadmap.
Quantitative Aptitude
Master Quantitative Aptitude for banking and agriculture exams — data interpretation, number series, percentage, ratio, simplification, mixture and alligation, and faster calculation techniques.
Zoology
Group A Zoology for FCI AG-III Technical exam. Covers animal classification, organ systems, heredity, microorganisms, storage insects, rodents, and FCI-relevant pest control.
English
English for IBPS AFO and banking exams — functional grammar (tenses, voice, narration) and exam pattern practice (reading comprehension, error detection, cloze test, para jumbles, sentence correction).
Reasoning Ability
Reasoning Ability for IBPS AFO, NABARD Grade A and RRB SO — puzzles and seating arrangement, syllogism, coding-decoding, input-output, blood relations and direction sense with practice MCQs.
FCI AG-III Selection Process 2026
4-stage selection. Phase 1 is qualifying only; Phase 2 determines final merit. No interview for Cat III.
Phase 1 — Online Preliminary
Qualifying exam — English, Reasoning, Numerical Aptitude, General Studies. 100 questions in 60 min. Marks NOT counted for merit.
Phase 2 — Online Main Exam
Paper 1 (Common, 120 marks) + Paper 2 (Technical, 120 marks). Total 240 marks. This determines final merit ranking.
Document Verification
Original certificates, educational qualifications, caste certificate (if applicable), identity proof verified.
Medical Examination
Standard medical fitness test. No interview for Category III posts — selection is purely exam-based.
No interview! FCI Category III selection is purely exam-based. This means your preparation effort directly translates to selection — no subjective evaluation.
FCI AG-III Exam Pattern 2026
Phase 1 — Preliminary
| Section | Qs | Marks | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| English Language | 25 | 25 | 15 min |
| Reasoning Ability | 25 | 25 | 15 min |
| Numerical Aptitude | 25 | 25 | 15 min |
| General Studies | 25 | 25 | 15 min |
| Total | 100 | 100 | 60 min |
Qualifying only — marks NOT counted for final merit. -0.25 negative marking.
Phase 2 — Paper 1 (Common)
| Section | Qs | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| English Language | 25 | 25 |
| Reasoning Ability | 25 | 25 |
| Numerical Aptitude | 25 | 25 |
| General Studies | 45 | 45 |
| Total | 120 | 120 |
-0.25 negative marking. General Studies has highest weightage (45 marks).
Phase 2 — Paper 2 (Technical Only)
| Group | Subjects | Qs | Marks | Negative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Group A | Agriculture + Botany + Zoology | 60 | 120 | -0.50 |
| Group B | Agriculture + Chemistry + Physics | 60 | 120 | -0.50 |
Choose Group A (Biology background) or Group B (Physical Sciences). Each question = 2 marks, -0.50 for wrong answer.
Total Marks for Merit (Technical Posts)
Technical Paper 2 — Detailed Syllabus
Choose Group A (Agriculture + Botany + Zoology) or Group B (Agriculture + Chemistry + Physics). Agriculture is common to both.
Agriculture (Core)
Crop Production Technology
Major crops (wheat, rice, pulses, oilseeds), cropping systems, seed technology, irrigation
Soil Science
Soil types, soil fertility, fertilizers, nutrient management, problematic soils
Entomology & Plant Protection
Major crop pests, pest management, insecticides, IPM, storage pests
Plant Pathology
Crop diseases, fungi, bacteria, viruses, disease management strategies
Agricultural Economics
Statistics of Indian agriculture, MSP, procurement policy, PDS system
Food Science & Technology
Food processing, preservation, grain storage technology, quality standards (FAQ norms)
Horticulture
Fruit crops, vegetable production, post-harvest management, spices
Botany (Group A)
Cell Biology
Cell structure, organelles, cell division (mitosis, meiosis)
Genetics
Mendel's laws, DNA/RNA, chromosomes, mutations, gene expression
Plant Classification
Taxonomy, plant families, angiosperms, gymnosperms, pteridophytes
Ecology
Ecosystems, food chains, biodiversity, environmental conservation
Plant Physiology
Photosynthesis, respiration, transpiration, growth regulators
Biochemistry Basics
Carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, enzymes, vitamins
Zoology (Group A)
Animal Classification
Phylum Chordata, non-chordates, vertebrate classes
Organ Systems
Digestive, circulatory, respiratory, excretory, nervous systems
Heredity & Variation
Genetics in animals, sex determination, genetic disorders
Micro-organisms
Bacteria, viruses, protozoa — beneficial and harmful
Insects & Rodents
Storage pests, grain-infesting insects, rodent management (directly relevant to FCI work)
Chemistry (Group B)
Organic Chemistry
Alkanes, alkenes, alkynes, alcohols, aldehydes, carboxylic acids
Inorganic Chemistry
Periodic table, chemical bonding, coordination compounds
Physical Chemistry
Solutions, chemical equilibrium, thermodynamics basics
Chemistry in Daily Life
Soaps, detergents, polymers, medicines, food preservatives
Physics (Group B)
Mechanics
Motion, force, work, energy, power, gravitation
Heat & Thermodynamics
Temperature, heat transfer, specific heat, thermal expansion
Optics
Reflection, refraction, lenses, mirrors, optical instruments
Electricity
Current, resistance, Ohm's law, circuits, electromagnetic induction
Measurements
Units, dimensions, errors, significant figures
Phase 1 & Paper 1 Syllabus — General Subjects
Common across all FCI AG-III posts. Same syllabus for Phase 1 (qualifying) and Phase 2 Paper 1 (merit).
Reasoning Ability
Numerical Aptitude
English Language
General Studies
Want AI-powered quizzes after every lesson?
Pro members get unlimited AI quizzes, spaced repetition & mock tests.
FCI AGT vs IBPS AFO vs NABARD Grade A
Agriculture graduates can target all three. Significant syllabus overlap — one preparation covers multiple exams.
| Parameter | FCI AG-III | IBPS AFO | NABARD A |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full Form | Food Corporation of India, AG-III (Technical) | IBPS Agriculture Field Officer | NABARD Grade A (RDBS) |
| Nature of Job | Food grain procurement, storage, quality testing | Agricultural lending in bank branches | Rural development policy & bank supervision |
| Employer Type | Central Govt. PSU | Public Sector Bank | Apex Development Bank |
| Expected Vacancies | ~27,000+ (AG-III) | ~300-600/year | ~150-200/year |
| Starting In-Hand | ₹41,000-48,000/month | ₹60,000-65,000/month | ₹65,000-80,000/month |
| Exam Difficulty | Moderate | Moderate | High |
| Exam Frequency | Irregular (every 2-4 years) | Annual | Annual |
| Interview | No (Cat III) | Yes | Yes |
| Work-Life Balance | Excellent | Good | Very Good |
| Agri Syllabus Overlap | Crop Science + Food Tech + Entomology | 16 Agriculture subjects | Agriculture + Rural Dev. |
| Special Perks | Subsidized food grains, govt. housing | Bank staff loans at 3-4% | Highest salary, prestige |
Pro tip: FCI has the most vacancies (27,000+), NABARD has the highest salary (₹80K+), and IBPS AFO is the most frequent (annual). Target all three with one agriculture preparation on AgriDots.
FCI AG-III Salary & Career Growth (7th CPC)
AG-III Starting Salary
Special FCI Perks
Career Progression Path
Promotions based on seniority + departmental exams. Manager level reached in ~12-13 years.
FCI AG-III (Technical) Eligibility 2026
B.Sc Agriculture, Food Science, or B.Sc with Botany/Zoology/Biotechnology/Biochemistry/Microbiology. Also B.E./B.Tech in Food Science, Agri Engineering, or Biotechnology.
18 to 27 years (General). Relaxation: OBC +3, SC/ST +5, PwD +10 years. Ex-servicemen as per govt. rules.
₹300 (General/OBC/EWS). Free for SC/ST/PwD/Women candidates. Online payment only.
FCI Zonal Offices & Posting Locations
FCI operates through 5 zones with 26 regional offices. Posting is zone-based — inter-zonal transfers are rare.
North Zone
HQ: Noida (UP)
Punjab, Haryana, HP, J&K, Uttarakhand, Rajasthan, Chandigarh, Delhi, UP
South Zone
HQ: Chennai
Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka, AP, Telangana, Puducherry
East Zone
HQ: Kolkata
West Bengal, Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha
West Zone
HQ: Mumbai
Maharashtra, Gujarat, MP, Chhattisgarh, Goa
North-East Zone
HQ: Guwahati
Assam, Meghalaya, Manipur, Mizoram, Nagaland, Tripura, Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim
How to Prepare for FCI AG-III Technical 2026
Master Agriculture Subjects First (50% of Paper 2)
Agriculture is common to both Group A and B. Focus on Crop Production, Soil Science, Entomology (especially storage pests — directly relevant to FCI work), and Food Science. AgriDots covers all these comprehensively.
Choose Group A or B Based on Your Degree
B.Sc Agriculture → Group A (Agri + Botany + Zoology). B.Tech Food Science → Group B (Agri + Chemistry + Physics). Choose what aligns with your graduation subjects for maximum scoring potential.
Don't Underestimate General Studies (45 marks in Paper 1)
General Studies has the highest weightage in Paper 1. Cover Indian History, Geography, Polity, Economy, and Science basics. Current affairs from last 6 months are crucial. Use spaced repetition for static GK.
Prepare for IBPS AFO Simultaneously
Since FCI recruitment is irregular, prepare for IBPS AFO (annual) alongside FCI. Agriculture syllabus overlaps heavily. Reasoning and Quant practice is common too. One preparation covers both exams.
AI-Powered Learning System
Every lesson is an active learning experience. AI generates questions as you read, analyzes your answers, and schedules revisions — all built into the platform.
Read & Answer
Each lesson is divided into concept blocks. After reading a concept, tap the ? button — AI generates an MCQ from that exact paragraph to test your understanding.
Get AI Feedback
After completing all questions, AI analyzes your answers and gives personalized feedback — what you got right (Glows) and what to revisit (Grows).
Recall & Retain
The FSRS algorithm schedules review sessions at scientifically optimal intervals. Concepts you got wrong come back sooner — ones you mastered, later.
Inline Concept Questions
AI generates MCQs from each concept paragraph. Wrong answers highlight the exact source text so you can re-read and understand.
Section Quiz + Feedback
End-of-lesson quiz with 5 AI-generated questions. Get Glows (strengths) and Grows (weak areas) with direct links to concepts to revisit.
FSRS Spaced Repetition
Built on the FSRS algorithm used by Anki. Concepts you struggle with appear more frequently. Mastered ones are spaced out — no wasted revision time.
Source Highlighting
When you answer wrong, AI highlights the exact sentences in the lesson where the answer was. Scroll back, re-read, and learn from mistakes.
Which process converts NH₄⁺ to NO₃⁻?
Listen to Your Notes
Built-in text-to-speech in every lesson
Turn any lesson into audio. Perfect for revising agriculture facts while commuting. Supports English & Hindi voices with adjustable speed.
Translate in 22 Languages
Read in your mother tongue
AI translates while keeping technical terms in English — scientific names, chemical formulas, and crop varieties stay as-is.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is FCI AG-III Technical exam?
FCI AG-III Technical is a recruitment exam conducted by the Food Corporation of India for Assistant Grade III (Technical) posts. These officers handle food grain quality testing, procurement inspection, and storage management. The exam has Phase 1 (qualifying) and Phase 2 (merit-based) with a separate Technical Paper covering Agriculture, Botany/Zoology or Chemistry/Physics.
What is the FCI AG-III salary in 2026?
Under the 7th CPC, FCI AG-III starting basic pay is ₹28,200 (Pay Level 5). In-hand salary ranges from ₹41,000-48,000/month depending on posting location. Additional perks include subsidized food grains, government housing, medical benefits, and LTC. With promotions to AG-II and AG-I, salary increases to ₹50,000-70,000+ within 6-8 years.
How many vacancies are expected in FCI 2026?
FCI is expected to recruit approximately 33,566 posts across Category II and III. AG-III alone is expected to have ~27,345 vacancies — making it one of the largest government recruitment drives. This is significantly higher than IBPS AFO (300-600/year) or NABARD (150-200/year).
Is there an interview for FCI AG-III?
No, there is no interview for FCI Category III posts. Selection is purely based on Phase 1 (qualifying) + Phase 2 (merit) exam scores, followed by document verification and medical examination. This makes it a transparent, exam-only selection process.
Can I prepare for FCI AGT and IBPS AFO together?
Yes! Agriculture subjects overlap significantly. FCI Technical Paper 2 covers Crop Production, Soil Science, Entomology, and Plant Pathology — all of which are also tested in IBPS AFO. Additionally, Phase 1 subjects (Reasoning, English, Quant) are common across both exams. AgriDots content covers the complete syllabus for both.
Who conducts the FCI exam — SSC or NTA?
FCI conducts the exam directly through its own recruitment process. Earlier (before 2012), SSC used to conduct FCI recruitment. NTA is not involved. FCI releases notifications on fci.gov.in and conducts Computer Based Tests through designated agencies.
What is the difference between FCI AG-III General, Technical, Accounts, and Depot?
AG-III General handles administrative/office work. AG-III Technical handles food grain quality testing and procurement (requires B.Sc Agriculture/Food Science). AG-III Accounts handles financial work (requires B.Com). AG-III Depot handles warehouse management. Technical is the most relevant for agriculture graduates.
Should I choose Group A or Group B for FCI Technical Paper 2?
Group A is Agriculture + Botany + Zoology — ideal for B.Sc Agriculture students. Group B is Agriculture + Chemistry + Physics — better for Food Science/B.Tech students. If you studied B.Sc Agriculture, Group A is the natural choice since AgriDots covers all the Agriculture, Botany, and Zoology topics comprehensively.
What makes AgriDots the best platform for FCI AGT preparation?
AgriDots is India's first AI-driven agriculture education platform. Our AI quizzes use FSRS spaced repetition — adapting to your performance so you focus on weak areas. Free agriculture notes for all FCI AG-III subjects, previous year paper analysis, and mock tests. Faster prep than any traditional coaching.
Choose Your Plan
No hidden fees. No locked content. Full access to every feature from day one.
₹59 charged monthly · Cancel anytime
Best for students who want full course access without AI features
🔒 Secure via Razorpay · No hidden fees
What's included
- All Agriculture & Banking Courses
- Summaries & Mind Maps
- Watch Already-Generated Classrooms
- Static Lesson Quizzes
- XP, Levels, Leaderboard & Badges
- IBPS · UP AGTA · ICAR · ASRB · SBI · RRB
- AI Doubt Solver
- Spaced Repetition Recall (FSRS)
- 22 Indian Language Translation
- Audio Lessons
Now ₹99/month · was ₹199
₹99 charged monthly · No yearly commitment
You save ₹100/month vs original price
🔒 Secure via Razorpay · No hidden fees
Everything in one plan
- All Agriculture & Banking Courses
- Unlimited AI-Powered Lesson Tests
- Audio Lessons — Hindi & English
- Interactive Infographics & Mind Maps
- Spaced Repetition Recall (FSRS)
- Glows & Grows AI Study Feedback
- 22 Indian Language Translation
- Pomodoro Focus Timer & Planner
- XP Points, Levels & Leaderboard
- Achievement Badges & Milestones
- Daily Streaks & Smart Reminders
- Memory Health Dashboard
- Instant Search Across All Content
- Live Telegram Feed Mirror
- Mock Tests & Previous Year Papers
- IBPS · UP AGTA · ICAR · ASRB · SBI · RRB
Billed monthly · 100 voice sessions/month
Everything in Pro + Voice AI Teacher
Seats Full — Launching SoonJoin the waitlist on the Pro page
Everything in Pro, plus:
- Voice Revision SessionsAsk doubts in Hindi or English. 100 sessions/month.
- AI Revision AssistantPersonalized revision based on weak areas. Adaptive difficulty.
- Knowledge Gap AnalysisSee exactly which concepts you're weak in before exam day.
- Live Doubts AnsweringReal-time voice chat with your AI teacher, 24/7.
Still thinking?
Start free — read 5 lessons, solve previous year papers, and see why 2000+ agriculture students trust AgriDots. No credit card required.
Prefer solving by subject and chapter first? Use the agriculture topic-wise question practice hub.