APEDA AGM Finance 2026: Eligibility, Salary, Exam Pattern and How to Apply

APEDA AGM Finance 2026: Eligibility, Salary, Exam Pattern and How to Apply

The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) — a statutory body under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India — has released its latest recruitment notification for Assistant General Manager (Finance) and Assistant Manager (Agriculture) posts. The May 2026 notification offers 4 vacancies with applications open from 23 May to 22 June 2026. AGM Finance is a Group A gazetted officer post at Level 10 with a starting basic pay of ₹56,100. CA or MBA Finance with 5 years experience is required. This is a rare opportunity in one of India’s most important agricultural export promotion bodies.

What is in this article

  1. What is APEDA?
  2. Overview of May 2026 notification
  3. Vacancy breakdown
  4. Important dates
  5. Who can apply — age limit
  6. Eligibility — AGM Finance in detail
  7. Eligibility — Assistant Manager Agriculture
  8. Salary and pay scale
  9. Exam pattern — AGM Finance
  10. Syllabus — AGM Finance
  11. Selection process
  12. Application fee
  13. How to apply at apeda.gov.in
  14. Frequently asked questions

1. What is APEDA?

APEDA stands for Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority. It was established in 1986 under the APEDA Act by the Government of India. It functions under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.

APEDA’s core responsibilities include:

  • Promoting export of agricultural and processed food products from India
  • Setting standards and quality specifications for export products
  • Providing financial assistance to exporters for infrastructure upgrades
  • Registering exporters of scheduled products (Basmati rice, fruits, vegetables, meat, poultry, dairy etc.)
  • Developing markets for Indian agricultural products in international markets
  • Conducting market surveys and research on global agricultural trade
Why APEDA is a prestigious career: APEDA officers work at the intersection of agriculture, international trade, and government policy. AGM Finance officers handle financial management, budget planning, accounts, and audit functions for a body that processes hundreds of crores in export promotion funds annually. The role provides exposure to international trade finance — a rare combination in the government sector.

2. Overview — May 2026 notification

Notification date
23 May 2026
Total vacancies
4 posts
Application opens
23 May 2026
Last date to apply
22 June 2026
AGM Finance pay level
Level 10 (Group A)
AM Agriculture pay level
Level 6 (Group B)
This is separate from the December 2025 notification (Notification No. 3/2025) which had 5 vacancies with last date 20 January 2026. The May 2026 notification is a fresh recruitment drive with updated vacancies and a new application window. If you applied for the earlier notification, you must apply again for this one separately.

3. Vacancy breakdown

PostStreamGradePay LevelVacancies
Assistant General Manager (AGM)FinanceGroup A GazettedLevel 10To be confirmed from official PDF
Assistant Manager (AM)AgricultureGroup BLevel 6To be confirmed from official PDF
Total4 posts
The exact post-wise and category-wise vacancy breakup (UR/EWS/OBC/SC/ST) is available in the official notification PDF at apeda.gov.in. Download the PDF to see the precise vacancy distribution before applying.
All India Service Liability: Selected candidates may be posted anywhere in India. APEDA has its headquarters in New Delhi and regional offices across India — Mumbai, Kolkata, Hyderabad, Bangalore, Ahmedabad, Guwahati, and others. Be prepared for postings outside your home city.

4. Important dates

ActivityDate
Notification released23 May 2026
Online application opens23 May 2026
Last date to apply online22 June 2026
Written exam dateTo be announced at apeda.gov.in
Exam modeOffline (OMR sheet)
Exam locationDelhi NCR (based on previous years)

5. Who can apply — age limit

PostMaximum age
Assistant General Manager (Finance)35 years
Assistant Manager (Agriculture)30 years

Age relaxation

CategoryRelaxation
SC / ST5 years
OBC (Non Creamy Layer)3 years
PwBD (General)10 years
Ex-ServicemenAs per Government of India rules
Government / PSU employeesAge relaxation as per rules

6. Eligibility — AGM Finance in detail

Educational qualification

You must have ONE of the following:

  • Post Graduate Degree in Finance / Financial Management from a recognised university — minimum 55% marks
  • MBA in Finance from a recognised university or AICTE-approved institution — minimum 55% marks
  • Chartered Accountant (CA) — Associate Member (ACA) or Fellow Member (FCA) of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI)

Work experience — mandatory

  • Minimum 5 years of relevant post-qualification experience in Finance, Accounts, Financial Management, or Audit functions
  • Experience in government organisations, PSUs, statutory bodies, banks, or large private sector companies is preferred
  • Experience must be after obtaining the qualifying degree / CA membership
This is NOT a fresher post. The mandatory 5 years of post-qualification experience makes this exclusively for experienced finance professionals. Fresh CA or MBA Finance graduates are not eligible. You must have substantive finance work experience to apply.
CA qualification is specifically advantageous here. A CA membership (ACA/FCA) alone satisfies the educational qualification — without needing a separate MBA or M.Com degree. If you are a CA with 5 or more years of post-qualification experience in finance or audit, this is one of the best government roles you can apply for.

7. Eligibility — Assistant Manager Agriculture

This post is covered in the same notification. For the record:

  • Qualification: Bachelor’s degree in Agriculture / Horticulture / Food Technology / Food Science / Fisheries Science or related agricultural disciplines from a recognised university — minimum 55% marks
  • Age limit: Maximum 30 years
  • Experience: Experience in agriculture, food processing, or export-related roles preferred but check official notification for mandatory requirement
  • Pay level: Level 6 — starting basic pay ₹35,400/month
This article focuses primarily on the AGM Finance post. If you are an agriculture graduate interested in the Assistant Manager Agriculture post, download the official notification PDF from apeda.gov.in for the complete eligibility and exam details for that post.

8. Salary and pay scale

PostPay Level (7th CPC)Basic pay (starting)Basic pay (maximum)
AGM Finance (Group A)Level 10₹56,100/month₹1,77,500/month
AM Agriculture (Group B)Level 6₹35,400/month₹1,12,400/month

In addition to basic pay, APEDA officers receive all central government allowances:

  • Dearness Allowance (DA) — currently 53%, revised every 6 months
  • House Rent Allowance (HRA) — 27% in Delhi (X city), 18% in Y cities, 9% in Z cities
  • Transport Allowance (TA)
  • NPS pension contributions
  • Medical facilities for self and dependents
  • Leave encashment and LTC
Estimated gross salary for AGM Finance at Delhi posting: Basic ₹56,100 + DA ₹29,733 + HRA ₹15,147 + TA ≈ ₹11,016 = approximately ₹1,12,000 per month gross at entry level. This is highly competitive for an experienced finance professional entering the government sector.

9. Exam pattern — AGM Finance

The APEDA AGM exam is conducted in offline mode — candidates mark answers on an OMR sheet using a pen. It consists of two papers plus an interview:

Paper I — Objective (Common for all AGM streams)
  • General Awareness / Current Affairs
  • Reasoning Ability
  • Quantitative Aptitude
  • IT Awareness
  • Economics and Trade
  • English Language
  • Duration: Part of 3-hour test
  • Format: Multiple choice (objective)
Paper II — Descriptive (Stream-specific — Finance)
  • Finance and Financial Management
  • Accounting and Auditing
  • Taxation — Direct and Indirect
  • APEDA-related finance topics
  • Management concepts
  • Duration: Part of 3-hour test
  • Format: Descriptive answers
FeatureAGM Finance exam details
Total duration3 hours (both papers in one sitting)
Paper IObjective sections — common for all AGM streams
Paper IIDescriptive section — Finance specific
Exam modeOffline — pen and OMR sheet
Negative markingYes — 25% penalty for wrong answers in objective sections
InterviewFor candidates qualifying the written test
Exam locationDelhi NCR (based on previous years)
Negative marking applies — 25% deduction. For every wrong answer in the objective sections, one-fourth of a mark is deducted. Do not guess randomly in objective sections. Attempt only questions you are reasonably confident about.

10. Syllabus — AGM Finance

Paper I — General objective sections

General Awareness Current Affairs Indian Economy Agricultural Exports India APEDA functions Logical Reasoning Numerical Aptitude English Grammar Comprehension IT Awareness Government Schemes International Trade

Paper II — Finance descriptive syllabus

Financial Statements Financial Management Cost Accounting Management Accounting Auditing Standards Internal Controls Direct Tax — Income Tax GST — Indirect Tax Companies Act FEMA Foreign Trade Policy Export Finance Treasury Management Budget and Planning GFR — General Financial Rules
Key preparation tip: APEDA’s work revolves around agricultural exports and food processing. Make sure you know APEDA’s scheduled products, export promotion schemes, quality certification systems, and recent developments in India’s agricultural export performance. This knowledge gives you an edge in both the objective General Awareness section and the interview.

11. Selection process

  1. Written Examination — Paper I (Objective) + Paper II (Descriptive)
    3-hour offline exam covering general objective sections (Paper I) and Finance-specific descriptive paper (Paper II). Candidates must qualify both papers. Negative marking of 25% applies in objective sections. Admit card is released on apeda.gov.in before the exam date.
  2. Interview
    Candidates shortlisted based on written test performance are called for a personal interview. The interview assesses your domain knowledge in Finance and Accounts, awareness of APEDA functions, export finance, government financial rules, and overall suitability for a Group A officer role. Prepare thoroughly on APEDA’s role in agricultural exports and India’s foreign trade policy.
  3. Document Verification
    Final selected candidates must produce all original documents — degree certificates, CA membership certificate, experience certificates, age proof, and category certificate if applicable. Government or PSU employees must submit an NOC from their current employer.

12. Application fee

Category / PostApplication fee
AGM Finance — General / OBC / EWS (Male)₹500 (non-refundable)
AM Agriculture — General / OBC / EWS (Male)₹300 (non-refundable)
SC / ST candidates — all postsNo fee — exempted
Women candidates — all postsNo fee — exempted
PwBD candidatesNo fee — exempted
Women candidates and SC/ST candidates pay no fee for any APEDA post. Payment is online only — Debit Card, Credit Card, Net Banking, or UPI. Fee is non-refundable under all circumstances.

13. How to apply at apeda.gov.in

  1. Visit the official APEDA website
    Go to www.apeda.gov.in. Click on the General Info tab on the homepage, then select Recruitment / Appointment. Find the AGM Finance / AM Agriculture 2026 notification and click the Apply Online link.
  2. Download and read the official notification PDF
    Before filling the form, download the complete notification PDF. Verify that you meet the exact qualification, experience, and age criteria for the AGM Finance post. Check the category-wise vacancy distribution and ensure you select the correct category.
  3. Register on the APEDA portal
    Register with your name, email ID, and mobile number. A registration ID will be generated. Keep your login credentials safe — you will need them to log back in and submit the application.
  4. Fill the application form completely
    Fill in all personal details, educational qualification details, CA membership details (if applicable), and work experience details including employer name, designation, period, and nature of work. Be accurate and detailed — experience descriptions are checked during document verification.
  5. Upload documents
    Upload your recent passport-size photograph and signature in the prescribed format and size. Some notifications also require uploading educational certificates and experience letters at the application stage — check the notification instructions.
  6. Pay the fee and submit
    Pay ₹500 online (for AGM Finance — General/OBC/EWS male). SC, ST, Women, and PwBD candidates pay nothing. Click the Preview tab to cross-check all entries before final submission. Submit and download a printout of your application and payment receipt.

Apply online from 23 May to 22 June 2026 at the official APEDA website:

www.apeda.gov.in → General Info → Recruitment

AGM Finance (Level 10) + AM Agriculture (Level 6)  |  4 total vacancies  |  Notification: 23 May 2026

14. Frequently asked questions

I am a CA with 4 years of experience. Am I eligible for AGM Finance?
No — the minimum post-qualification experience required is 5 years. With 4 years, you do not meet the experience criterion. You would become eligible after completing your 5th year of post-qualification experience. Keep watching apeda.gov.in for the next recruitment cycle which typically comes out every 1–2 years.
My CA membership was granted in 2021. Does experience before CA membership count?
No — the 5 years of experience must be post-qualification, meaning after obtaining the CA membership (ICAI ACA or FCA). Work experience during your articleship or before CA membership is generally not counted as post-qualification experience for this purpose. Verify the exact language on this point in the official notification PDF.
Is the APEDA AGM Finance exam online or offline?
The APEDA AGM exam is conducted in offline mode — candidates write answers on an OMR sheet using a pen. It is not a computer-based test. Based on previous year patterns, the exam is held in Delhi NCR. The exact exam centre and date will be mentioned on the admit card released before the exam.
What is the difference between the December 2025 APEDA notification and this May 2026 one?
The December 2025 notification (Notification No. 3/2025) had 5 vacancies for AGM Agriculture, AGM Finance, and AM Business Promotion with last date 20 January 2026. The May 2026 notification is a fresh drive with 4 vacancies for AGM Finance and AM Agriculture with last date 22 June 2026. These are two separate recruitment processes. If you applied for the December notification, you must apply separately for this May 2026 notification.
What should I study for the APEDA AGM Finance interview?
For the interview, focus on — APEDA’s mandate, scheduled products list, export promotion schemes run by APEDA, India’s agricultural export statistics (latest year), Foreign Trade Policy, GFR (General Financial Rules), FEMA basics, and your own professional finance experience. The panel will ask about your specific experience and how it relates to APEDA’s finance and accounts functions. Also be prepared to discuss Goods and Services Tax (GST) as it affects APEDA’s registered exporters.

Quick summary — APEDA AGM Finance 2026
  • Organisation: APEDA — Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority, Ministry of Commerce & Industry
  • Post: Assistant General Manager (Finance) — Group A Gazetted
  • Notification date: 23 May 2026
  • Total vacancies (both posts): 4
  • Application window: 23 May to 22 June 2026
  • Age limit: Maximum 35 years for AGM Finance
  • Qualification: Post Graduate in Finance/Financial Management OR MBA Finance OR CA (ICAI)
  • Experience: Minimum 5 years post-qualification in Finance/Accounts/Audit
  • Pay Level: Level 10 (₹56,100–₹1,77,500) — estimated gross ₹1,12,000/month at Delhi
  • Exam: Offline — Paper I (Objective, common) + Paper II (Descriptive, Finance-specific) + Interview
  • Negative marking: 25% in objective sections
  • Exam location: Delhi NCR (based on past years)
  • Application fee: ₹500 (General/OBC/EWS male) | Free for SC/ST/Women/PwBD
  • Apply at: www.apeda.gov.in → General Info → Recruitment

Last updated: May 2026  ·  Source: APEDA official notification released 23 May 2026 at apeda.gov.in and verified recruitment news sources.
Exam pattern details are based on the May 2026 notification and previous APEDA recruitment cycles — always verify from the official notification PDF at www.apeda.gov.in before applying.
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