State PSC & State Govt · Assam · Updated October 2026
APSC CCE ExamEligibility, Syllabus, Exam Pattern, Salary, Cut-Off, PYQs and Free Mock Test
APSC Combined Competitive Examination
Conducted by the Assam Public Service Commission, the APSC CCE recruits officers to the Assam Civil Service (ACS Jr. Grade), Assam Police Service (APS), Superintendent of Taxes, Labour Officers, and Block Development Officers. Patterned after UPSC with optional subjects removed, its Mains stage features six compulsory descriptive papers including a dedicated paper on Assam.
- Type
- Recruitment
- Level
- State · Assam
- Conducting body
- Assam PSC
Start for free with APSC CCE syllabus study notes, solved previous year papers, real-pattern mock tests and AI Tutor support.
APSC CCE exam overview and highlights
About APSC CCE
The Assam Public Service Commission Combined Competitive Examination (APSC CCE) is the flagship civil services examination of Assam, conducted from Guwahati to recruit officers for the Assam Civil Service (ACS), Assam Police Service (APS), Assam Finance Service, and allied Class-I and Class-II state services. Revamped along the lines of the UPSC Civil Services Examination, APSC CCE removes optional subjects from the Main Examination and places substantial weight on Assam's history, geography, society, and economic development. The three-stage process includes an OMR-based Preliminary screening test, a six-paper descriptive Main examination (Essay plus five General Studies papers, with GS V dedicated exclusively to Assam), and a Personality Test. Selected officers start as Assistant Commissioners (ACS Junior Grade) or Deputy Superintendents of Police (APS Junior Grade) across Assam's districts and autonomous council areas.
The examination process for APSC CCE comprises 3 stages: Preliminary Examination, followed by Main Examination, followed by Interview / Personality Test. The official syllabus tests candidates across 6 core areas — History, Art, Culture and Literature of Assam (GS V & Prelims), Geography, Environment and Disaster Management of Assam, Polity, Sixth Schedule & Governance in India and Assam, Economy of India and Assam, Indian History, World Geography & General Science (GS I & III), Ethics, Integrity & CSAT Aptitude (GS IV & Prelims Paper II) — focusing on conceptual clarity, speed, and accuracy. Prelims Paper II (CSAT) is qualifying at 33%, and Prelims Paper I shortlists candidates for Mains in a 1:11 to 1:12 ratio. Final merit is determined by the sum of all 6 Mains papers (1,500 marks) and the Interview / Personality Test (180 marks), totaling 1,680 marks.
Key subjects
- History, Art, Culture and Literature of Assam (GS V & Prelims)
- Geography, Environment and Disaster Management of Assam
- Polity, Sixth Schedule & Governance in India and Assam
- Economy of India and Assam
- Indian History, World Geography & General Science (GS I & III)
- Ethics, Integrity & CSAT Aptitude (GS IV & Prelims Paper II)
What clearing APSC CCE leads to
- Assam Civil Service (ACS) Junior Grade (Assistant Commissioner / BDO / Executive Magistrate)
- Assam Police Service (APS) Junior Grade (Deputy Superintendent of Police)
- Superintendent of Taxes & Superintendent of Excise
- Assam Finance Service (AFS) Class-I Layer-II (Treasury Officer / Accounts Officer)
- Block Development Officer (BDO) & Assistant Registrar of Cooperative Societies
- Inspector of Taxes, Inspector of Labour & Inspector of Excise
Quick facts
- Full name
- APSC Combined Competitive Examination
- Conducting body
- Assam Public Service Commission (APSC)
- Frequency
- Once a year
- Exam mode
- Offline (OMR sheet) for Prelims; Offline descriptive pen-and-paper for Mains
- Languages
- English and Assamese
- Stages & papers
- 3 stages (9 papers total)
- Negative marking
- One-fourth (0.50 marks) deducted per wrong answer in Prelims; none in Mains
- Official website
- apsc.nic.in
APSC CCE — Key Highlights & Official Particulars
Complete snapshot of APSC CCE conducting authority, frequency, mode, stages, negative marking and official portal.
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Exam Name | APSC CCE — APSC Combined Competitive Examination |
| Conducting Body | Assam Public Service Commission (APSC) |
| Exam Category | State PSC & State Govt |
| Exam Level | State level (Assam) |
| Exam Type & Purpose | Recruitment (Direct Recruitment & Cadre Selection) |
| Exam Frequency | Once a year |
| Usual Notification & Exam Window | Notification in December or January; Prelims in March; Mains in June or July; Interviews in October or November |
| Mode of Application | Online through the APSC One Time Registration (OTR) portal at apscrecruitment.in / apsc.nic.in |
| Mode of Examination | Offline (OMR sheet) for Prelims; Offline descriptive pen-and-paper for Mains |
| Medium / Exam Languages | English and Assamese |
| Selection Stages | 3 Stages (9 Papers Total): Preliminary Examination → Main Examination → Interview / Personality Test |
| Negative Marking | One-fourth (0.50 marks) deducted per wrong answer in Prelims; none in Mains |
| Selection / Merit Process | Prelims Paper II (CSAT) is qualifying at 33%, and Prelims Paper I shortlists candidates for Mains in a 1:11 to 1:12 ratio. Final merit is determined by the sum of all 6 Mains papers (1,500 marks) and the Interview / Personality Test (180 marks), totaling 1,680 marks. |
| Educational Qualification | Bachelor's degree in Arts, Science, or Commerce or an equivalent degree from a recognized university. |
| Age Limit | 21 to 38 years as on January 1 of the recruitment year, with upper age relaxations of 5 years for SC/ST(P)/ST(H), 3 years for OBC/MOBC, and 10 years for PwBD. |
| Pay Scale / Salary Structure | Pay Scale of INR 30,000 to INR 1,10,000 with Grade Pay of INR 13,300 (Pay Band 4) for ACS Jr. Grade, APS Jr. Grade, and Superintendent of Taxes, plus DA, HRA, and allowances |
| Merit Panel Validity | Valid for the notified recruitment cycle and reserve list period |
| Competition Scale | Around 70,000 to 90,000 candidates appear for roughly 200 to 300 combined state service vacancies each year |
| Official Website | apsc.nic.in |
Summary for orientation only, last reviewed October 2026. Check eligibility, dates and pattern in the official notification.
APSC CCE exam schedule, vacancy, fee and online application process
Standard annual cycle and application workflow for APSC CCE. Confirm exact notification and closing dates on the official Assam PSC website.
| Examination Event | Typical Calendar Window | Cycle / Mode |
|---|---|---|
| APSC CCE Official Notification & Information Bulletin | Notification in December or January; Prelims in March; Mains in June or July; Interviews in October or November | Once a year |
| Online Registration & Application Fee Window | Typically remains open for 21 to 30 days from the date of notification release | Online Portal |
| Application Form Correction / Edit Window | 2 to 5 days immediately following the close of the online registration window | As Notified |
| Exam City Intimation & Admit Card Release | City slip 10–15 days prior; Hall Ticket / E-Admit Card 4 to 10 days before the exam date | Via Assam Public Service Commission (APSC) |
| APSC CCE — Preliminary Examination | Notification in December or January; Prelims in March; Mains in June or July; Interviews in October or November | Offline (OMR sheet) for Prelims; Offline descriptive pen-and-paper for Mains |
| APSC CCE — Main Examination | Typically 6 to 12 weeks after declaration of Stage 1 results | Shortlisted Candidates |
| Provisional Answer Key & Objection Representation Window | Within 3 to 10 days after completion of the objective examination shifts | Online Challenge |
| Final Answer Key, Normalized Result & Merit List / Scorecard | Typically 3 to 6 weeks after conclusion of the examination stage | Merit List PDF / Login |
- Vacancies & Competition
- Around 70,000 to 90,000 candidates appear for roughly 200 to 300 combined state service vacancies each year. Exact post-wise, department-wise, and category-wise (UR, EWS, OBC, SC, ST, ESM, PwBD) vacancies are notified in the official APSC CCE recruitment advertisement published by Assam Public Service Commission (APSC).
- Application Fee & Payment Norms
- Standard Banking & Insurance application fee slabs apply: typically ₹750 to ₹850 (inclusive of GST) for General/OBC/EWS candidates, and ₹125 to ₹175 (intimation charges only) for SC/ST/PwBD/Ex-Servicemen candidates via online payment.
How to apply online for APSC CCE
One-Time Registration (OTR) & Portal Login
Visit apsc.nic.in and complete your candidate registration using a valid email ID, active mobile number, and Aadhaar / government photo ID details. Online through the APSC One Time Registration (OTR) portal at apscrecruitment.in / apsc.nic.in.
Fill Academic, Personal & Exam Centre Preferences
Log in to open the APSC CCE application form. Enter your qualifying degree/board details, category/reservation status, medium of examination (English and Assamese), and choose 3 to 4 preferred test cities.
Upload Photograph, Signature & Category Certificates
Upload a recent passport-size photograph (in prescribed KB dimensions and light background), scanned running-hand signature, and valid SC/ST/OBC-NCL/EWS/PwBD/Domicile certificates where applicable.
Online Application Fee Payment & Confirmation Page
Pay the category-wise examination fee via UPI, Net Banking, Debit/Credit Card, or e-Challan before the closing deadline, then download and preserve the final APSC CCE Confirmation Page / Application PDF for admit card and verification stages.
APSC CCE eligibility criteria and age relaxation
Candidates applying for APSC CCE must fulfil the academic qualification, age limit, nationality and category reservation rules notified by Assam PSC.
Educational qualification
Bachelor's degree in Arts, Science, or Commerce or an equivalent degree from a recognized university.
Age limit & relaxations
21 to 38 years as on January 1 of the recruitment year, with upper age relaxations of 5 years for SC/ST(P)/ST(H), 3 years for OBC/MOBC, and 10 years for PwBD.
Number of attempts
No restriction on the number of attempts within the prescribed age limit.
Nationality & domicile
Indian citizen and must be an original inhabitant / permanent resident of Assam as per state government domicile norms.
Other conditions & standards
Candidates must be able to speak Assamese or an associated official/tribal/regional language of Assam (such as Bodo, Bengali, or Karbi) fluently.
APSC CCE — Category-Wise Upper Age Relaxation & Reservation Norms
| Category | Age Relaxation / Rule | Key Conditions & Documentation |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduled Caste (SC) / Scheduled Tribe (ST) (Assam Domicile) | +5 Years above prescribed upper age limit | Requires valid Assam permanent domicile and caste certificate issued by the competent revenue authority. |
| Other Backward Classes — Non-Creamy Layer (OBC-NCL) (Assam Domicile) | +3 Years above prescribed upper age limit | Candidate must fall outside the Creamy Layer as on the crucial closing date of the online application. |
| Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD — UR / OBC / SC-ST) | +10 Years (UR) / +13 Years (OBC) / +15 Years (SC/ST) | Subject to post suitability and 40%+ benchmark disability certificate under the RPwD Act, 2016. |
| Ex-Servicemen (ESM) & Commissioned Officers (ECO / SSCO) | +3 to 5 Years after deducting military service rendered from actual age | Must produce discharge book / NOC from the competent defence authority at document verification. |
| State Government Employees / Women / Departmental Candidates (Assam) | Up to +5 Years as per state service recruitment rules | Applicable to regular Assam state government servants and horizontal reservation categories notified in the advertisement. |
APSC CCE selection process and exam pattern
Negative Marking & Evaluation Rule: One-fourth (0.50 marks) deducted per wrong answer in Prelims; none in Mains. Selection & Merit Weightage: Prelims Paper II (CSAT) is qualifying at 33%, and Prelims Paper I shortlists candidates for Mains in a 1:11 to 1:12 ratio. Final merit is determined by the sum of all 6 Mains papers (1,500 marks) and the Interview / Personality Test (180 marks), totaling 1,680 marks.
Stage 1: Preliminary Examination
Offline (OMR sheet) • 2 Papers (General Studies Paper I (History, Polity, Geography, Economy, Environment, Science & Assam-specific GS), General Studies Paper II (CSAT - Comprehension, Reasoning, Numeracy & Interpersonal Skills)) • 180 Questions • 400 Total Marks • Duration: 2 hours • An objective OMR-based screening test comprising two papers of 200 marks each.
An objective OMR-based screening test comprising two papers of 200 marks each. Approximately 30% to 35% of questions in General Studies Paper I are required to relate directly to Assam.
Paper / Section Questions Marks Duration General Studies Paper I (History, Polity, Geography, Economy, Environment, Science & Assam-specific GS)Counted for Prelims cutoff; 30-35% questions focus on Assam 100 200 2 hours General Studies Paper II (CSAT - Comprehension, Reasoning, Numeracy & Interpersonal Skills)Qualifying only; minimum 33% (66 marks) required 80 200 2 hours Stage 2: Main Examination
Descriptive, pen and paper • 6 Papers (Paper I: Essay, Paper II: General Studies I (Indian Heritage & Culture, History and Geography of the World and Society), Paper III: General Studies II (Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice and International Relations) + 3 more) • Questions: 2 Essays • 1500 Total Marks • Duration: 3 hours • A six-paper conventional descriptive examination totaling 1,500 marks.
A six-paper conventional descriptive examination totaling 1,500 marks. Optional subjects and qualifying language papers have been abolished; instead, GS Paper V is dedicated entirely to Assam.
Paper / Section Questions Marks Duration Paper I: EssayCounted for final merit 2 Essays 250 3 hours Paper II: General Studies I (Indian Heritage & Culture, History and Geography of the World and Society)Counted for final merit 20 descriptive questions 250 3 hours Paper III: General Studies II (Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice and International Relations)Counted for final merit 20 descriptive questions 250 3 hours Paper IV: General Studies III (Technology, Economic Development, Bio-diversity, Environment, Security and Disaster Management)Counted for final merit 20 descriptive questions 250 3 hours Paper V: General Studies IV (Ethics, Integrity and Aptitude)Counted for final merit Descriptive questions & Case Studies 250 3 hours Paper VI: General Studies V (History, Art, Culture, Literature, Geography, Polity and Economy of Assam)Dedicated Assam state paper; counted for final merit 20 descriptive questions 250 3 hours Stage 3: Interview / Personality Test
In-person interview • 1 Paper (Personality Test (Viva-Voce)) • 180 Total Marks • Shortlisted candidates appear before an interview board at the APSC headquarters in Jawaharnagar, Khanapara, Guwahati, to evaluate administrative acumen, awareness of Assam's socio-economic challenges, and communication skills.
Shortlisted candidates appear before an interview board at the APSC headquarters in Jawaharnagar, Khanapara, Guwahati, to evaluate administrative acumen, awareness of Assam's socio-economic challenges, and communication skills.
Paper / Section Questions Marks Duration Personality Test (Viva-Voce)Added to the 1,500 Mains marks for a grand total of 1,680 marks Varies 180 Varies Stage 4: Document Verification, Medical Fitness & Final Cadre/Post Allotment
In-person verification by Assam Public Service Commission (APSC) • Original academic, age, category & domicile certificates • Medical fitness examination & final merit allocation
Candidates shortlisted in the final merit list undergo thorough verification of original educational, age, category and domicile certificates followed by a prescribed medical fitness examination before appointment letters and cadre/department allotments are issued.
APSC CCE subject-wise syllabus and study material
SmartRank organizes chapter-wise study notes for every subject below in 12 languages, with an AI Tutor on hand for doubts. Start exploring for free, and unlock the complete syllabus with Learn or SmartRank Pass.
History, Art, Culture and Literature of Assam (GS V & Prelims) — Part I (Ancient Kamarupa Kingdom)
- Ancient Kamarupa Kingdom: Varman, Salastambha, and Pala dynasties; Hiuen Tsang's accounts
- Medieval Assam: 600 years of Ahom rule, Paik system, Battle of Saraighat (Lachit Borphukan), Koch, Kachari, and Chutia kingdoms
- Neo-Vaishnavite movement of Srimanta Sankardeva and Madhavdeva: Satras, Namghars, Borgeet, Ankia Naat, and Sattriya dance
History, Art, Culture and Literature of Assam (GS V & Prelims) — Part II (Treaty of Yandabo, anti-British uprisings)
- Treaty of Yandabo (1826), anti-British uprisings (Gomdhar Konwar, Piyoli Phukan, Maniram Dewan, Phulaguri Dhawa, Patharughat)
- Assam in the Indian Freedom Struggle (Kanaklata Barua, Gopinath Bordoloi) and the Assam Movement & Assam Accord (1985)
- Assamese literature from Charyapadas and Buranjis to Jonaki era (Lakshminath Bezbaroa, Jyotiprasad Agarwala, Bhupen Hazarika)
Geography, Environment and Disaster Management of Assam — Part I (Physiography of Assam)
- Physiography of Assam: Brahmaputra Valley, Barak Valley, and Karbi Anglong & Dima Hasao Hill Tracts
- Drainage systems of the Brahmaputra and Barak rivers, riverine islands (Majuli), wetlands (Beels), and riverbank erosion
- Climate, monsoon variability, annual flood dynamics, and seismic vulnerability (Zone V) in Assam
Geography, Environment and Disaster Management of Assam — Part II (Protected area network)
- Protected area network: Kaziranga, Manas, Orang, Nameri, Dibru-Saikhowa, Raimona, and Dehing Patkai National Parks
- Natural resources of Assam: crude oil, natural gas, coal, limestone, tea plantations, muga/eri silk, and bamboo resources
- Demographic profile, ethnic diversity, urbanization, and inland water transport (National Waterway 2)
Polity, Sixth Schedule & Governance in India and Assam
- Indian Constitution, Fundamental Rights, Directive Principles, Parliament, and State Legislature
- Sixth Schedule Administration in Assam: Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR), Karbi Anglong, and Dima Hasao Autonomous Councils
- Statutory Autonomous Councils in Assam (Mising, Rabha Hasong, Tiwa, Deori, Sonowal Kachari, Moran, Matak, Kamatapur)
- Panchayati Raj institutions in Assam, e-Governance (Sewa Setu), Mission Basundhara (land governance), and RTI
- Assam Accord clauses (Clause 5 & Clause 6), citizenship issues, NRC, and border disputes with neighboring North-Eastern states
- India's Act East Policy and Assam's strategic role as the gateway to ASEAN, Bangladesh, and Bhutan
Economy of India and Assam: Macroeconomic indicators, Union & Assam & Assam's tea industry, petroleum
- Macroeconomic indicators, Union & Assam State Budget, Economic Survey of Assam, and Finance Commission grants
- Assam's tea industry, petroleum & refinery sector (Digboi, Noonmati, Bongaigaon, Numaligarh), and semiconductor manufacturing
- Agriculture and allied sectors in Assam: rice cultivation, horticulture, fisheries, livestock, and GI-tagged products (Muga silk, Kaji Nemu, Joha rice)
- Infrastructure development: bridges over the Brahmaputra, Multimodal Logistics Park (Jogighopa), and Act East connectivity corridors
- State flagship welfare schemes, Orunodoi, Assam Darshan, skill development, and poverty alleviation programs
Indian History, World Geography & General Science (GS I & III)
- Ancient, Medieval, and Modern Indian History, art, architecture, and post-independence reorganization
- World physical and human geography, climate systems, and global resource distribution
- Science & Technology: space, defense, biotechnology, IT, renewable energy, and public health
- Biodiversity conservation, climate change agreements, pollution control, and internal security management
Ethics, Integrity & CSAT Aptitude (GS IV & Prelims Paper II)
- Ethics in public administration, emotional intelligence, attitude, and foundational values of civil service
- Corporate governance, probity in public life, codes of conduct, and ethical case studies in flood relief and ethnic harmony
- CSAT: reading comprehension, logical & analytical reasoning, data interpretation, and basic numeracy
APSC CCE salary, pay scale, job profile & career growth
Pay Scale of INR 30,000 to INR 1,10,000 with Grade Pay of INR 13,300 (Pay Band 4) for ACS Jr. Grade, APS Jr. Grade, and Superintendent of Taxes, plus DA, HRA, and allowances. Appointments under Assam Public Service Commission (APSC) carry structured pay progression, statutory allowances, and time-bound departmental promotions.
Pay Scale & Grade Structure
Pay Scale of INR 30,000 to INR 1,10,000 with Grade Pay of INR 13,300 (Pay Band 4) for ACS Jr. Grade, APS Jr. Grade, and Superintendent of Taxes, plus DA, HRA, and allowances.
Appointing / Cadre Authority
Assam Public Service Commission (APSC) (Assam State Government Service)
Allowances & Perks
Dearness Allowance (DA), HRA (by city classification), Medical Allowance, TA, and Assam NPS / Pension benefits.
Probation & Training
Initial probation period (typically 1 to 2 years) with induction/foundation training before cadre confirmation.
Allowances, Perks & Service Benefits
- Dearness Allowance (DA) revised bi-annually in line with Consumer Price Index (AICPI)
- House Rent Allowance (HRA) or official government quarters / leased accommodation
- Transport Allowance (TA), Leave Travel Concession (LTC), and Children Education Allowance
- Comprehensive medical care (CGHS / ECHS / State Health Scheme) for employee and dependents
- National Pension System (NPS) employer contribution, gratuity, and paid maternity/paternity/study leave
Promotion Hierarchy & Career Progression
- Entry-Level Cadre Appointment (Post allotment & induction training under Assam Public Service Commission (APSC))
- Senior / Higher Grade Scale via Time-Bound Financial Upgradation (MACP / Dynamic ACP)
- Sectional / Supervisory / Inspector / Assistant Executive Cadre via Departmental Promotion Committee (DPC) or LDCE
- Middle Management / Gazetted / Divisional Officer Scale
- Senior Administrative / Directorate / Executive Leadership Cadre
APSC CCE cut-off trends, score normalization and safe target score
Assam Public Service Commission (APSC) releases stage-wise and category-wise APSC CCE cut-off marks at each stage (Prelims/Tier-I shortlisting, Mains/Tier-II evaluation, and Final Merit List). Candidates must clear both minimum qualifying standards and overall/sectional merit cut-offs to advance.
APSC CCE — Qualifying Standards & Safe Target Benchmarks
| Category | Qualifying Floor / Standard | Recommended Safe Target |
|---|---|---|
| General / Unreserved (UR) | 30% to 40% Minimum Qualifying Floor | 72% to 82% of Total Marks (95+ Percentile in Mock Tests) |
| General — Economically Weaker Section (GEN-EWS) | 25% to 35% Minimum Qualifying Floor | 68% to 78% of Total Marks |
| Other Backward Classes (OBC-NCL) | 25% to 35% Minimum Qualifying Floor | 68% to 78% of Total Marks |
| Scheduled Caste (SC) / Scheduled Tribe (ST) / PwBD | 20% to 30% Minimum Qualifying Floor | 58% to 70% of Total Marks |
Score Normalization & Marking Impact
Because APSC CCE is evaluated on a uniform single-session paper scale under one-fourth (0.50 marks) deducted per wrong answer in Prelims; none in Mains, raw score accuracy directly determines your rank on the official merit list.
Factors Determining APSC CCE Cut-Off
- Total number of notified vacancies / available seats across Assam cadres and institutions
- Total number of registered vs actual appearing candidates in the APSC CCE cycle
- Relative difficulty level of the question paper (and shift-wise variation in multi-shift CBT exams)
- Category-wise vertical (UR, EWS, OBC-NCL, SC, ST) and horizontal (PwBD, ESM, Women) reservation ratios
- Previous year cut-off trajectory and candidate score distribution at the top percentiles
APSC CCE admit card, answer key and result guide
City slip 10–15 days prior • Admit Card 4–10 days before exam
APSC CCE Exam City Intimation & Admit Card
Assam Public Service Commission (APSC) releases the advance Exam City Intimation Slip followed by the official APSC CCE Hall Ticket / e-Admit Card on apsc.nic.in. No hard copy is sent by post; candidates must log in with their Registration Number and Date of Birth / Password to download it.
- Clear A4 printout of the APSC CCE e-Admit Card with visible barcode and photograph
- Original valid Government Photo ID (Aadhaar Card, Passport, Voter ID, Driving Licence, or PAN Card)
- 2 recent passport-size photographs matching the image uploaded in the online application
- PwBD / Scribe certificate and undertaking (if availing compensatory time or scribe facility)
Within 3–10 days after the examination
APSC CCE Provisional Answer Key & Objection Window
After conclusion of the objective test, Assam Public Service Commission (APSC) uploads the candidate response sheet and Provisional Answer Key on apsc.nic.in. Candidates can calculate their raw score and submit online representations against any ambiguous question or key discrepancy within the stipulated 48–72 hour window.
- Download your recorded Response Sheet PDF and match Question IDs with the Master Answer Key
- Calculate raw score using the official positive and negative marking formula
- Attach standard textbook / NCERT / official gazette proof if challenging any provisional key
- Review the Final Answer Key published after subject-expert scrutiny of all representations
3–6 weeks after stage completion
APSC CCE Result, Scorecard & Merit List / Counselling
Assam Public Service Commission (APSC) declares the APSC CCE result as a stage-wise Merit List PDF (with roll numbers and category cut-offs) and individual Normalized Scorecards on apsc.nic.in. Shortlisted candidates proceed to the next stage, Document Verification, or Centralised Counselling.
- Download and save your official APSC CCE Scorecard / Rank Letter PDF immediately upon release
- Verify category-wise and sectional cut-off marks in the official result write-up notice
- Keep original matriculation, degree, caste/EWS, and domicile certificates ready for verification
- Track reserve list / multi-round seat allotment updates on the official website
APSC CCE mock tests
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APSC CCE Full Mock Test 1
Preliminary Examination · 100 questions · 2 hours
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APSC CCE previous year papers
Papers come with a solution for every question. Read them, or attempt them as timed tests. See all APSC CCE previous year papers by year
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Recent APSC CCE question papers
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Complete 10-year APSC CCE paper archive
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Predicted questions for APSC CCE
High-probability questions and topics for your next exam
How to prepare for APSC CCE
- Dedicate at least 35% of your total preparation time to Assam-specific history, geography, polity, and economy, since Prelims mandates 30-35% Assam questions and Mains has a full 250-mark Assam paper (GS V).
- Read Edward Gait's 'A History of Assam' or Priyam Goswami's 'The History of Assam' along with the latest Assam Economic Survey and budget speeches.
- Track daily regional current affairs from The Assam Tribune, focusing on Mission Basundhara, flood mitigation, Sixth Schedule accords, and GI tags.
- Because optional subjects are removed, your rank hinges heavily on Essay (250), Ethics (250), and Assam GS V (250)—together accounting for half of the Mains marks.
- Include hand-drawn maps of the Brahmaputra/Barak basins, National Parks, and Autonomous Council districts in your Mains GS I, GS III, and GS V answers.
- Read the official APSC CCE notification carefully for the exact pattern, eligibility and selection stages.
APSC CCE FAQs
Are there any optional subjects or qualifying language papers in the APSC CCE Mains?
No. Following the cabinet-approved reforms, both the optional subject papers and the qualifying English/Assamese language papers were removed from the APSC CCE Main Examination.
Is domicile of Assam mandatory to apply for APSC CCE?
Yes, candidates must be Indian citizens who are permanent residents of Assam and must upload a valid Permanent Resident Certificate (PRC) or Employment Exchange Registration of Assam along with knowledge of a local state language.
How many questions in APSC Prelims come from Assam-specific topics?
Normally around 30 to 35 questions out of 100 in General Studies Paper I are framed on the history, culture, geography, polity, and economy of Assam.
Can I write the APSC CCE Main Examination in Assamese?
Yes, candidates can choose to write the Essay and the five General Studies papers in either English or Assamese.
What is the negative marking rule in APSC Prelims?
Each question carries 2 marks, and one-fourth (0.50 marks) is deducted for every incorrect response in both Paper I and Paper II.
What is the selection process and exam pattern for APSC CCE?
APSC CCE is conducted by Assam Public Service Commission (APSC) across 3 stages: Preliminary Examination → Main Examination → Interview / Personality Test. Prelims Paper II (CSAT) is qualifying at 33%, and Prelims Paper I shortlists candidates for Mains in a 1:11 to 1:12 ratio. Final merit is determined by the sum of all 6 Mains papers (1,500 marks) and the Interview / Personality Test (180 marks), totaling 1,680 marks.
What is the age limit and educational qualification for APSC CCE?
Educational Qualification: Bachelor's degree in Arts, Science, or Commerce or an equivalent degree from a recognized university. Age Limit: 21 to 38 years as on January 1 of the recruitment year, with upper age relaxations of 5 years for SC/ST(P)/ST(H), 3 years for OBC/MOBC, and 10 years for PwBD.
What is the salary and job profile after clearing APSC CCE?
Pay Scale of INR 30,000 to INR 1,10,000 with Grade Pay of INR 13,300 (Pay Band 4) for ACS Jr. Grade, APS Jr. Grade, and Superintendent of Taxes, plus DA, HRA, and allowances.
When is the APSC CCE notification released and how can I apply online?
APSC CCE is held once a year (Notification in December or January; Prelims in March; Mains in June or July; Interviews in October or November). Online through the APSC One Time Registration (OTR) portal at apscrecruitment.in / apsc.nic.in.
Where can I practice free APSC CCE mock tests and solved previous year papers?
Select APSC CCE as your target exam on SmartRank to get chapter-by-chapter study material built around its syllabus covering History, Art, Culture and Literature of Assam (GS V & Prelims), Geography, Environment and Disaster Management of Assam, Polity, Sixth Schedule & Governance in India and Assam, Economy of India and Assam, solved previous year question papers, topic and full-length mock tests in the exact APSC CCE pattern, a timed exam simulator, subject-wise analytics, an adaptive daily study plan and an AI Tutor.
How can I prepare for APSC CCE on SmartRank?
Select APSC CCE as your target exam on SmartRank to get chapter-by-chapter study material built around its syllabus covering History, Art, Culture and Literature of Assam (GS V & Prelims), Geography, Environment and Disaster Management of Assam, Polity, Sixth Schedule & Governance in India and Assam, Economy of India and Assam, solved previous year question papers, topic and full-length mock tests in the exact APSC CCE pattern, a timed exam simulator, subject-wise analytics, an adaptive daily study plan and an AI Tutor.