Soon after the Intermediate results, most students ask the same question: can I try for a government job while I study for a degree, or should I wait until the degree is done? The honest answer is that the number of posts open to an Intermediate pass is limited, that some of them have a low upper age limit, and that several of them include a physical test. That combination means timing matters more than it does for graduate-level exams. A candidate who knows the age ceiling of each post can plan the next five years instead of discovering the limit after it has passed.
This guide lists the posts that accept Intermediate as the minimum qualification as on October 2026, explains the 2026 notifications of the State Level Police Recruitment Board (SLPRB) line by line, adds the Forest Beat Officer post of the Public Service Commission (APPSC) and the fire service Driver Operator post, and then covers selection, physical standards, pay, fees, quotas, central and postal options, a five-year roadmap and a study method for the written test. Everything marked as official comes from a document that was opened. Where a post could not be checked, it is said so. For the wider picture, see the Andhra Pradesh government exams 2026 guide and the AP job calendar 2026.
Short answer, as on October 2026. After Intermediate you can apply, in the notified 2026 recruitments, for Police Constable (Civil and AR), Fireman and Warder through the SLPRB, for the fire services Driver Operator post (with a heavy transport licence), and for Forest Beat Officer through the APPSC (application window reported as 16 October to 5 November 2026). Postal Gramin Dak Sevak needs only Class 10, and Staff Selection Commission combined higher secondary recruitment is an Intermediate-level central route. The application dates for the SLPRB posts had not been announced as on October 2026.
At a glance
| Post | Minimum qualification | Age (as on 1 July 2026) | Status as on October 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|
| SCT Police Constable (Civil), post code 21 | Intermediate | At least 18 and under 24 | Notified; dates awaited |
| SCT Police Constable (AR), post code 22 | Intermediate | At least 18 and under 24 | Notified; dates awaited |
| Fireman, post code 42 | Intermediate | At least 18 and under 32 | Notified; dates awaited |
| Warder (Men), post code 53, and Warder (Women), post code 54 | Intermediate | At least 18 and under 32 | Notified; dates awaited |
| Driver Operator, Fire Services (Rc.94) | Intermediate plus a heavy transport driving licence | See the notification and corrigendum | Press note of 17.09.2026; 147 posts |
| Forest Beat Officer, APPSC Notification 18/2026 | Intermediate | See the detailed notification | Brief notification of 15.09.2026; 23 provisional vacancies |
| Postal Gramin Dak Sevak | Class 10 | See the notification | Schedule closed in September 2026 |
Which government jobs can you apply for after Intermediate
Three groups of posts accept an Intermediate pass. The first is state uniformed services recruited by the SLPRB: police constables, firemen and warders. The second is a small set of state technical and field posts recruited by the APPSC, the Forest Beat Officer being the clearest case this year. The third is central and postal posts: the Staff Selection Commission recruits for lower division clerks and data entry operators through a higher secondary examination, the Railway Recruitment Boards sometimes advertise non-technical posts for Intermediate pass candidates, and the postal circle recruits Gramin Dak Sevaks with Class 10 as the minimum.
Teacher posts, Group-I and Group-II posts, and nursing and laboratory posts need a degree or a specialised course, so they are not direct options after Intermediate. For degree-level options, read government jobs after degree, and for engineering and diploma options, read engineering jobs after B.Tech, diploma and ITI.
Posts that people often assume are open, such as Grama and Ward Sachivalayam posts, village revenue assistants and excise constables, could not be confirmed as notified, so no eligibility numbers are given for them. See AP VRO and VRA and AP Excise Constable for what could and could not be verified.
The 2026 SLPRB notification for constables, firemen and warders
The Board published notification Rc.No.91/SLPRB/Rect.2/2026 on 16 September 2026. It has five post codes that accept Intermediate. The total of 1,156 vacancies is stated in the notification, which also says that vacancy numbers are provisional and may change without notice.
| Post code | Post | Vacancies | Who may apply |
|---|---|---|---|
| 21 | SCT Police Constable (Civil) | 542 | Men and women |
| 22 | SCT Police Constable (AR) | 285 | Men and women |
| 42 | Fireman, State Disaster Response and Fire Services | 158 | Men only |
| 53 | Warder (Men), Prisons and Correctional Services | 150 | Men |
| 54 | Warder (Women), Prisons and Correctional Services | 21 | Women |
| Total | 1,156 |
The same date also saw separate notifications for Sub Inspectors, Communications constables, Mechanics and Drivers, and Scientific Assistants. Those posts have different qualifications and are not covered here. For the complete summary, read AP Police Recruitment 2026, AP Police Constable and AP Jail Warder.
Minimum qualification
For the five post codes the candidate must have passed Intermediate, or an examination the State Government recognises as equivalent, as on 1 July 2026. A candidate with a higher qualification is also considered, so a graduate can apply. For Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe candidates there is a concession on the constable and fireman posts (codes 21, 22 and 42): they must have passed SSC, studied Intermediate and appeared for both the first-year and second-year examinations, even without passing. The Warder posts (codes 53 and 54) ask for an Intermediate pass without that concession. If your case depends on this clause, read it directly in the notification.
A warning for readers who search online: some sites describe these posts as needing a degree. The notification itself says Intermediate. When two sources disagree, the notification decides.
Age limits and relaxations
Age is counted on 1 July 2026. For the Constable posts (21 and 22) a candidate must have attained 18 and must not have attained 24, which in birth dates means born between 2 July 2002 and 1 July 2008, both days included. For the Fireman and Warder posts (42, 53 and 54) the upper limit is 32, which means born between 2 July 1994 and 1 July 2008. There is one more rule in the general clause: a local candidate who serves in the Andhra Pradesh Police Department as a Home Guard, with at least 360 days of service in the preceding two years and still serving on the date of the notification, is covered by the age band of 18 to 32 even for the constable posts.
| Category or condition | Relaxation in the upper age limit |
|---|---|
| EWS | Up to 5 years |
| BC (non-creamy layer), SC, ST | Up to 5 years |
| Regular service in the Andhra Pradesh State Government | Length of service, up to 5 years; corporation and local body employees are not covered |
| Service in the Army, Navy or Air Force | Length of service plus 3 years |
| Whole-time NCC instructor | Length of service plus 3 years (at least 6 months of service) |
| Retrenched temporary Census Department employee | Up to 3 years |
| SC or ST woman who is a widow, divorced or judicially separated | Upper age 42 |
| Women of other communities in the same situation | Upper age 37 |
An example: a BC (non-creamy layer) candidate for Constable gets a maximum of 29, which is 24 plus 5. This is arithmetic from the stated rule, so confirm it with your certificate and the notification. The online form does not validate age, which makes eligibility your responsibility, and the date of birth must match the SSC certificate; horoscopes, affidavits and similar documents are not accepted. Government orders G.O.Ms.No.187 and G.O.Ms.No.188 of 14 September 2026 changed upper age limits for several state recruitments up to 30 September 2027, but news coverage says the 44-year ceiling does not apply to uniformed posts in the police, fire, prisons, forest and some other departments, and the SLPRB notification prints its own bands. Use the printed ones. For the general rules, see the age section of the Group 1, 2, 3 and 4 comparison.
Selection stages
The selection has four stages for constables, firemen and warders: a preliminary written test, a physical measurement test (PMT), a physical efficiency test (PET) and a final written examination.
| Stage | Details in the notification |
|---|---|
| Preliminary written test | One objective paper, 3 hours, 200 questions, 200 marks, OMR sheet |
| Qualifying marks in the preliminary test | 40 percent for OC (including EWS), 35 percent for BC, 30 percent for SC and ST |
| PMT | Height and chest for men; height and weight for women |
| PET | Qualifying in nature for most posts; 1600 metres run plus one of 100 metres or long jump |
| Final written examination | One paper, 3 hours, 200 questions; same qualifying percentages |
Preliminary test marks do not count towards the final merit; they decide who goes forward. Questions are in English, Telugu and Urdu, except that the English language questions stay in English in every version. Final selection depends on the post. For Civil Constable, Fireman and Warder it rests on relative merit in the final written examination of 200 marks, for candidates who qualify the PET. For the AR Constable post the final written examination is counted for 100 marks and the PET for 100 marks, which together make 200, so a good run and jump also earn marks for that post. Equal marks in a category are settled in favour of the candidate born earlier.
Another feature is the local cadre rule. As the notification cites G.O.Ms.No.172 of the General Administration (Services-D) Department dated 02.09.2026, the first 5 percent of direct recruitment posts go on open competition to local and non-local candidates, and the remaining 95 percent go to local candidates only.
The syllabus
The written test is at Intermediate standard with seven areas: English, arithmetic at SSC level, reasoning or mental ability, general science, Indian history, culture and the national movement, Indian geography, polity and economy, and current events of national and international importance. The Board does not prescribe a book.
Physical standards
For men in post codes 21, 22, 42 and 53, the minimum height is 167.6 cm and the minimum chest is 86.3 cm on full inspiration with an expansion of at least 5 cm. For women in post codes 21, 22 and 54, the minimum height is 152.5 cm and the minimum weight is 40 kg. Aboriginal Scheduled Tribe candidates from the agency areas of Vizianagaram, Anakapalli, Polavaram, Alluri Sitharamaraju, Eluru and Parvathipuram Manyam districts have relaxed standards: 160 cm and a chest of 80 cm with 3 cm expansion for men, and 150 cm and 38 kg for women. Measurements are recorded by a digital system.
| PET item (post codes 21, 42, 53, 54) | General men | Ex-servicemen | Women |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1600 metres run | 8 minutes | 9 minutes 30 seconds | 10 minutes 30 seconds |
| 100 metres run | 15 seconds | 16.5 seconds | 18 seconds |
| Long jump | 3.80 metres | 3.65 metres | 2.75 metres |
A candidate must qualify in the 1600 metres run and in one of the other two events for most posts. For the AR constable post (code 22) all three events are compulsory and carry 100 marks, with 40 for the run and 30 each for the 100 metres run and the long jump. The events are measured electronically, spike shoes are not allowed, and the notification offers no retest for an event once held. The Board advises candidates to be examined by a Civil Surgeon before applying, because medical standards on vision, knees and similar conditions are strict.
Pay, training and allowances
The scale of pay for the five post codes is Rs 25,220 to Rs 80,910 under the Revised Pay Scale 2022. Constables first join as cadet trainees and receive a stipend fixed by the Government during institutional training; the notification does not state the amount or the training duration, so any figure in circulation should be checked. Employees appointed after 1 September 2004 are covered by the Contributory Pension Scheme. The scale is a range over a career, so a new recruit starts near the lower end, and take-home pay depends on allowances and the place of posting.
How to apply and what it costs
Applications are online only at slprb.ap.gov.in. The notification says the start and end dates of the online application and the date of the preliminary test will be announced by a press release. As on October 2026 the official Recruitments page showed no application period. Some sites have quoted dates that the Board has not published, so use only the Board's page.
| Item | Detail in the notification |
|---|---|
| Fee, local OC (including EWS) and BC | Rs 300 |
| Fee, local SC and ST | Rs 150 |
| Fee, non-local candidates (treated as OC) | Rs 300 |
| Documents to upload | Photograph, signature, SSC certificate, community certificate, EWS or non-creamy layer certificate where applicable |
The application has two stages. In Stage I you pay the fee and submit the form. If you pay and fail to press submit, the application is rejected and the fee is not refunded. In Stage II, after qualifying in the preliminary test, you upload scanned original documents before the PMT and PET. Admission at every stage is provisional, and original documents are verified after final qualification.
Special quotas
The notification provides horizontal quotas. For the Civil and AR constable posts: 15 percent for Home Guards, 4 percent for children of police personnel (CPP), 3 percent for meritorious sportspersons, 3 percent for NCC, 2 percent for ex-servicemen and 2 percent for children of police personnel who died or were incapacitated by violence (CDI); for Firemen: 10 percent for Home Guards and 2 percent for ex-servicemen; for male Warders: 5 percent for children of jail and prison personnel (CJP) and 2 percent for ex-servicemen. Each quota has conditions and certificate formats, so read the clause before claiming one.
Other posts after Intermediate
Driver Operator, Fire Services
The SLPRB press note of 17.09.2026 announced 147 posts of Driver Operator in the fire service. A corrigendum dated 18.09.2026 states that the minimum education is Intermediate or equivalent as on 1 July 2026, together with a heavy transport driving licence valid for at least two years as on the date of the notification. If this post suits you, read the notification and the corrigendum together, because the corrigendum changes the original text.
APPSC Forest Beat Officer
The APPSC brief notification 18/2026 of 15 September 2026 lists 23 provisional vacancies for Forest Beat Officer in the Forest Subordinate Service. The post accepts Intermediate or equivalent. The pay scale is Rs 25,220 to Rs 80,910. The brief notification says the examination is a single-level computer-based test with no screening test, and that selected candidates undergo a walking test and a medical examination, plus a computer proficiency test. The web note of the Commission gives tentative application dates of 16.10.2026 to 05.11.2026. The age, fee and physical standards are in the detailed notification, and the previous cycle's numbers (age 18 to 30, fee Rs 250 plus Rs 80, walking test of 25 km in 4 hours for men and 16 km in 4 hours for women) are a guide only. Read AP Forest Beat Officer for the details.
Postal Gramin Dak Sevak
Class 10 is the minimum. The Department of Posts engages Gramin Dak Sevaks in schedules, with merit calculated from Class 10 marks and no written test. Pay is a Time Related Continuity Allowance, not a pay matrix. The schedule that ran in September 2026 has closed for applications; the next schedule will carry its own conditions. See AP Postal GDS.
SSC higher secondary recruitment and railway posts
The Staff Selection Commission recruits for lower division clerk and data entry operator posts through a higher secondary examination, with tiered stages and, for some posts, a typing or skill test. The age limit is typically in the twenties. The Railway Recruitment Boards advertise non-technical posts from time to time with Intermediate as a qualification. The 2026 notices for these could not be confirmed from the official sites during this check, so check ssc.gov.in and your board's website for dates and ages.
Which post suits which candidate
This is a way of thinking, not a promise.
| Your situation | Posts to look at | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Just finished Intermediate, under 24, physically fit | Constable (Civil, AR), Fireman, Warder, Forest Beat Officer | Eligible for all; constable age limit is low, so start now |
| Aged 25 to 32 with no relaxation | Fireman, Warder | The upper limit is 32 |
| Holds a category relaxation | All posts | Five years more gives more attempts |
| Not meeting height or chest standards | SSC higher secondary posts, postal GDS | No such standards in those posts |
| Prefers office work | SSC higher secondary posts | Clerical roles |
| Good Class 10 marks, little time for written tests | Postal GDS | Merit by Class 10 marks |
| Plans to complete a degree first | Degree-level posts | More posts and more time |
There is a hard fact in the table: a Constable age limit of 24 means a student who finishes Intermediate at 17 and a degree at 20 or 21 may still get two or three attempts. But no one can promise that notifications will appear every year, so plan with a margin.
A five-year roadmap
| Year | Main aim | Actions |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 (first year of degree) | Foundation | Intermediate-level arithmetic, reasoning, science, history and geography; daily physical practice; a newspaper habit |
| Year 2 | First real attempt | If a notification is open, full preparation, weekly mocks, and cut your 1600 metres time |
| Year 3 (final year of degree) | Adjust or continue | If the constable age limit is close, shift to Fireman, Warder, SSC and similar |
| Year 4 | Move to degree-level posts | Study the syllabus of graduate exams and check age relaxations |
| Year 5 | Wider attempts | Plan two or three exams from the notification calendar |
If you are still studying, two to three hours a day is enough on college days, more on holidays. Divide the seven written areas across weeks, train physically at least five days a week starting slowly, and take a mock every week. Keep a note of where you lose marks.
Preparing the seven areas
The paper has 200 questions in 3 hours, which is less than a minute a question, so practise against the clock from the first week.
| Area | How to study | Must-do |
|---|---|---|
| English | Basic grammar, vocabulary, short passages | Ten new words and a short passage daily |
| Arithmetic | Percentages, profit and loss, ratio, time and work, averages | Write formulas on paper; twenty sums a day |
| Reasoning | Series, coding and decoding, blood relations, directions | Practise with a timer |
| General science | Class 9 and 10 physics, chemistry and biology basics | Revise basic concepts |
| History, culture and national movement | Key dates, movements, leaders | Build a timeline |
| Geography, polity and economy | Rivers, mountains, Constitution basics, budget basics | Study with a map |
| Current affairs | Last six to twelve months | A weekly review |
Because the English questions remain in English in all language versions, Telugu-medium candidates should not neglect that area; thirty minutes a day for weak English is sensible. And since the preliminary marks do not count in the final merit, the goal there is to clear the qualifying percentage, while the real merit is made in the final written test, so do not stop revising during the PMT and PET stage.
Documents to keep ready
| Document | Use |
|---|---|
| Passport photograph and signature scan | Application upload |
| SSC certificate | Date of birth proof |
| Intermediate memo and pass certificate | Qualification (for SC and ST concession, proof of study) |
| Community certificate | BC, SC, ST candidates |
| EWS or non-creamy layer certificate | Where applicable; read the income and issue date conditions |
| Study certificates for Classes I to VII or a residence certificate | Local status |
| Quota certificates | Home Guard, NCC, ex-servicemen and similar |
Collect these before the window opens. Check the issue date rules, because the notification asks that some certificates be obtained within a stated period.
Common mistakes
Relying on one post, without a fallback, is common. Counting age at the last minute instead of from the cut-off date is another, and so is believing a website over the notification. Delaying physical preparation until after the written test is risky. Letting a certificate lapse before the application is avoidable. Ignoring the height, chest and medical standards until after applying leads to disappointment. Read the medical clause early and, if in doubt, get a check-up.
What to know about the service
Uniformed services are not only about pay and security. There is a training period, shift duty, transfers, and physically demanding work in fire and prison services. Decide with an understanding of the work, and if possible talk to someone serving in the department.
Key facts for exams
- Rc.No.91/SLPRB/Rect.2/2026 (16.09.2026): 1,156 vacancies; Intermediate; age on 1 July 2026 is 18 to 24 for post codes 21 and 22 and 18 to 32 for codes 42, 53 and 54.
- Preliminary test: one paper, 200 questions, 200 marks, 3 hours; qualifying marks 40, 35 and 30 percent.
- Men: height 167.6 cm and chest 86.3 cm with 5 cm expansion; women: height 152.5 cm and weight 40 kg.
- 1600 metres run in 8 minutes for general men and 10 minutes 30 seconds for women.
- AR constable merit: final written test 100 marks plus PET 100 marks.
- Fee: Rs 300 (local OC and BC), Rs 150 (local SC and ST).
- Pay scale: Rs 25,220 to Rs 80,910.
- 95 percent of posts go to local candidates and 5 percent to open competition.
- The Postal GDS minimum qualification is Class 10.
10 practice questions
1. What is the upper age limit for SCT Police Constable (Civil) in the 2026 SLPRB notification, before relaxation?
(A) 22 (B) 24 (C) 28 (D) 32
2. What is the upper age limit for Fireman and Warder as on 1 July 2026, before relaxation?
(A) 24 (B) 27 (C) 32 (D) 40
3. How many questions are in the preliminary written test?
(A) 100 (B) 150 (C) 200 (D) 300
4. What is the minimum height for general male candidates?
(A) 160 cm (B) 165 cm (C) 167.6 cm (D) 170 cm
5. What is the qualifying percentage in the preliminary test for OC candidates?
(A) 30 (B) 35 (C) 40 (D) 50
6. What is the qualifying time for the 1600 metres run for general male candidates?
(A) 6 minutes (B) 8 minutes (C) 10 minutes (D) 12 minutes
7. For the AR constable post, the final written test and PET are counted for how many marks together?
(A) 100 (B) 150 (C) 200 (D) 300
8. What is the minimum qualification for Postal Gramin Dak Sevak?
(A) Class 5 (B) Class 10 (C) Intermediate (D) Degree
9. In the preamble of the Constitution, which word follows "Sovereign"?
(A) Secular (B) Socialist (C) Republic (D) Democratic
10. Which body conducts the SSC combined higher secondary examination?
(A) UPSC (B) APPSC (C) Staff Selection Commission (D) SLPRB
Answers
| Q | Answer | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | B | The notification sets under 24 for codes 21 and 22 |
| 2 | C | Under 32 for codes 42, 53 and 54 |
| 3 | C | One paper of 200 questions, 3 hours |
| 4 | C | 167.6 cm for general men |
| 5 | C | 40 percent for OC, 35 for BC, 30 for SC and ST |
| 6 | B | 8 minutes for general men |
| 7 | C | 100 for the written test plus 100 for the PET |
| 8 | B | Class 10 is the minimum |
| 9 | B | The order is Sovereign, Socialist, Secular, Democratic, Republic |
| 10 | C | The Staff Selection Commission conducts it |
Frequently asked questions
Which government jobs can I apply for after Intermediate in Andhra Pradesh? The notified 2026 posts are Police Constable, Fireman, Warder, Driver Operator (with a heavy transport licence) and Forest Beat Officer. Central higher secondary posts and postal GDS are also routes.
What is the qualification for AP Police Constable? Intermediate or equivalent as on 1 July 2026. SC and ST candidates who have studied Intermediate and appeared for both years are eligible on the constable and fireman posts even without a pass.
What is the pay scale? Rs 25,220 to Rs 80,910 under the Revised Pay Scale 2022. Take-home pay varies with allowances and posting.
What is the upper age for Constable? Under 24 on 1 July 2026 before relaxation. BC (non-creamy layer), SC, ST and EWS candidates get up to 5 years.
Can I apply while studying for a degree? Yes, if you hold Intermediate. A higher qualification is also considered. Plan your exam dates and classes.
Which posts can women apply for? Constable (Civil and AR) and Warder (Women). The Fireman post is for men in this notification.
How is the Warder selected? Preliminary test, PMT, PET and a final written test, with merit based on the 200-mark final test for qualifiers.
Where will the application dates appear? On slprb.ap.gov.in, by press release. They had not been announced as on October 2026.
Related reading
- AP Police Recruitment 2026
- AP Police Constable
- AP Jail Warder
- AP Forest Beat Officer
- AP Postal GDS
- Government jobs after degree
- AP job calendar 2026
Practise on pareeksha.in
To check your level, try the free mini mock, and use the practice sets for topic drills. Full papers are in the online test series. pareeksha.in offers 10 Lakh+ MCQs, 100+ Exams and 5,000+ Full-Length Mocks. A mock score is a practice guide, not a prediction of any result.
Sources and verification
Opened for this post, as on 7 October 2026. Official first:
- SLPRB notification Rc.No.91/SLPRB/Rect.2/2026 dated 16.09.2026 (PDF), slprb.ap.gov.in, read for qualification, age, relaxations, fee, stages, physical standards, quotas, pay and the local-cadre rule.
- SLPRB home page and Recruitments page, slprb.ap.gov.in, for the list of notifications and the absence of application dates.
- SLPRB press note dated 16.09.2026, slprb.ap.gov.in, for the vacancy table.
- APPSC web note dated 15.09.2026 listing the brief notifications and tentative windows, psc.ap.gov.in.
- Companion posts on this site that read the Forest Beat Officer brief notification, the Driver Operator corrigendum, and the Postal GDS schedules.
- Deccan Chronicle report on the age orders (press).
Not verified: the application dates of the SLPRB posts (not announced); the detailed Forest Beat Officer notification (the age, fee and physical standards of the 2026 cycle); the Driver Operator age limit; the 2026 SSC and railway notices (official sites did not load); and secretariat, village revenue assistant and excise constable recruitment (no notification found). Numbers are provisional and may change. Information as on October 2026; check the latest notification.
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