Overview
FCI Assistant Grade III recruits clerical and technical-support staff into the Food Corporation of India, the central government agency responsible for procurement, storage and distribution of foodgrains as part of India's food security infrastructure. Recruitment spans four distinct categories — General, Depot, Accounts and Technical — each with its own eligibility and a category-specific Phase II paper. Selection runs through two computer-based test phases followed by a Typing or Skill Test depending on the category applied for, with no separate interview stage.
What's New in the 2026 Cycle
What changed in the 2026 cycle
- Four distinct recruitment categories (General, Depot, Accounts, Technical), each with its own eligibility and Phase II subject content.
- No Interview stage — final selection is based on combined Phase I and Phase II performance, plus qualifying the Typing/Skill Test.
- Technical category specifically recruits candidates with Agriculture Science, Food Science, Chemistry or similar backgrounds, reflecting FCI's foodgrain-quality-management functions.
- Postings span FCI's regional and district offices, warehouses and depots nationwide, involved directly in India's foodgrain procurement and public distribution system.
Eligibility Criteria
| Criterion | Details |
|---|---|
| Age Limit | 18–27 years typically (relaxation per government norms for SC/ST/OBC/PwBD/ex-servicemen) |
| Educational Qualification | Bachelor's degree from a recognised university (General/Depot/Accounts categories); a relevant technical degree (Agriculture Science, Food Science, Chemistry, or similar) for the Technical category |
| Nationality | Indian citizen |
| Application Fee | ₹500 (General/OBC/EWS candidates). SC/ST/PwBD/women/ex-servicemen candidates are exempted. |
FCI Assistant Grade III Exam Pattern
The FCI Assistant Grade III selection process runs through phase i + phase ii + typing/skill test. Each stage has its own timing, marking scheme and qualifying rules, detailed below.
Phase I (Screening)
| Section | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| English Language | 25 | 25 |
| Reasoning Ability | 25 | 25 |
| Numerical Aptitude | 25 | 25 |
| General Awareness | 25 | 25 |
Phase II (Category-Specific — Merit-Deciding)
| Section | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Category-specific paper (General Studies for General/Depot; Finance & Accounts for Accounts; Agriculture/Food Science/Chemistry for Technical) | 120 | 120 |
Typing Test / Skill Test
| Section | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Typing Speed & Accuracy Test / relevant Skill Test | — | Qualifying |
FCI Assistant Grade III Detailed Subject-Wise Syllabus
Below is the complete topic-wise FCI Assistant Grade III syllabus for every subject tested across all stages, with a short note on what each section actually rewards — use this to build a section-wise study plan rather than relying on generic topic summaries.
English Language (Phase I)
Standard competitive-exam English — steady grammar and comprehension practice covers most of the section.
- Reading comprehension
- Grammar & sentence correction
- Vocabulary — synonyms, antonyms
- Cloze test
Reasoning Ability (Phase I)
Standard pattern-based reasoning — quick to improve with regular timed practice.
- Analogies, classification, coding-decoding
- Series completion
- Puzzle & seating arrangement
- Blood relations & direction sense
Numerical Aptitude (Phase I)
Foundational-level questions — speed and accuracy on basics matter more than advanced topics.
- Number system, simplification
- Percentage, ratio & proportion, average
- Profit, loss & discount
- Time, speed & distance, time & work
General Awareness (Phase I)
Include food security and agriculture policy awareness alongside general current affairs for extra edge.
- Current affairs — national & international
- Indian history, geography & polity
- Indian economy & government schemes, especially food security & agriculture-related policy
Category-Specific Paper (Phase II)
The real differentiator in FCI selection — genuine category-specific depth matters far more than generic aptitude prep.
- General/Depot category: broader General Studies including agriculture, economy & governance
- Accounts category: financial accounting, cost accounting & auditing basics
- Technical category: Agriculture Science, Food Science & Technology, or Chemistry fundamentals, as per the specific technical stream
Selection Process
- Phase I — Computer-Based screening test.
- Phase II — Category-specific Computer-Based test, forming the basis of merit.
- Typing Test or Skill Test, as applicable to the category.
- Document Verification.
Salary & Job Profile
FCI Assistant Grade III posts fall under Pay Level 4 of the 7th CPC matrix (₹25,500 basic), plus Dearness Allowance, HRA and other FCI-specific allowances depending on posting location.
Best Books for FCI Assistant Grade III Preparation
- Lucent's General Knowledge
- Fast Track Objective Arithmetic — Rajesh Verma (Arihant)
- A Modern Approach to Verbal & Non-Verbal Reasoning — R.S. Aggarwal
- Category-specific reference material (Finance & Accounts basics for Accounts category; Agriculture/Food Science fundamentals for Technical category)
Previous Cut-off Trends
Approximate — always verify officially
FCI Assistant Grade III cut-offs vary significantly by category (General/Depot/Accounts/Technical), region-wise vacancy allocation and applicant pool each cycle. Always check the official category-wise and region-wise cut-off release rather than a single combined figure.
Preparation Tips
- Since Phase I is only a screening stage, don't over-invest revision time there once comfortably past the expected cut-off — shift focus to Phase II's category-specific content.
- Technical category candidates should revise their core degree subjects (Agriculture Science/Food Science/Chemistry) systematically for Phase II.
- Accounts category candidates should build genuine familiarity with financial and cost accounting fundamentals, not just generic GK.
- General Awareness benefits from including food security, agriculture policy and FCI-specific current affairs alongside general current events.
Exam Day Guidelines
- Carry the Document Checker and a valid original photo ID to both Phase I and Phase II.
- For the Typing Test, practise specifically on a computer keyboard without auto-correct tools if applying for a category requiring it.
- No electronic devices are allowed inside the exam hall.
- Technical category candidates should carry relevant educational certificates for verification, given the discipline-specific eligibility.
Frequently Asked Questions
General, Depot, Accounts and Technical — each with its own eligibility criteria and a category-specific Phase II paper.
No, selection is based on combined Phase I and Phase II performance, plus qualifying the Typing/Skill Test where applicable — there is no separate Interview stage.
A relevant technical degree such as Agriculture Science, Food Science and Technology, or Chemistry, reflecting FCI's foodgrain quality management functions.
Yes, 0.25 marks are deducted for every wrong answer in both Phase I and Phase II.
Related Exams
Back to Syllabus Hub — browse all government exam syllabus pagesSyllabus content on this page is compiled and reviewed against the official Food Corporation of India notification as of 11 Feb 2026. Exam patterns, vacancies, salary figures and cut-offs are subject to change — always cross-check with the official notification at fci.gov.in before applying.