The Food Corporation of India (FCI) conducts the Assistant Grade 3 (AG 3) exam every year to recruit eligible candidates for multiple posts across India. Understanding the exam pattern is the first step in planning your preparation effectively. The FCI AG 3 exam is conducted in two phases Phase 1 (common for all posts) and Phase 2 (post-specific). Both phases are online, objective-type tests with negative marking for wrong answers. In this blog, we have provided all the details about FCI Assistant Grade 3 exam pattern, number of questions, marks, and duration for each section, and more.
What is the FCI Grade 3 exam pattern?
The FCI AG 3 exam pattern consists of Phase 1 as a screening test for all posts, while Phase 2 is divided into Paper 1 (common) and Paper 2 (post-specific). The test is mostly bilingual (English & Hindi), except for language-specific sections. Phase 1 tests general skills like English, reasoning, numerical ability, and general awareness, while Phase 2 assesses these skills at a higher difficulty level and includes post-specific knowledge for Accounts, Technical, or Hindi posts.
| Phase | Subjects / Syllabus | Details |
|---|
| Phase 1 (common) | English Language | Grammar, Vocabulary, Reading Comprehension, Cloze Test, Sentence Improvement, Para Jumble, Error Detection |
| Reasoning Ability | Arrangement & Pattern, Syllogism, Analogy, Inequality, Puzzles & Sitting Arrangement, Direction & Distance, Blood Relation, Venn Diagrams, Word Sequence |
| Numerical Aptitude | LCM & HCF, Quadratic Equations, Profit & Loss, Time & Work, Speed, SI & CI, Data Interpretation, Number Series, Arithmetic Problems |
| General Studies | General Science, Indian History, Indian Geography, Indian Economics, Current Affairs |
| Phase 2 Paper 1 | Same as Phase 1 + Computer Knowledge | Higher difficulty questions; Computer Knowledge includes MS Office, Internet, DBMS, Networks, Emerging Technologies, Workplace Productivity Tools |
| Phase 2 Paper 2 (post-specific) | Accounts | Basic Accounting, Taxation, Auditing, Commercial Laws, Basics of Computers |
| Technical | Agriculture (Cereals, Pulses, Plant Protection), Botany (Cell Biology, Genetics, Ecology), Zoology (Animal Cell & Tissue, Classification), Chemistry (Organic, Inorganic, Daily Life), Physics (Light, Electricity, Measurements) |
| Hindi | Hindi Literature, Translation (Hindi-English & English-Hindi), Official Language Policy, Official Language Rules, Annual Programmes |
Attempt FCI AG 3 Mock Test 2026
How many papers are there in the FCI AG 3 Exam?
The FCI Assistant Grade 3 (AG 3) exam consists of two main phases, and there are three papers in total:
- Phase 1 - Common online test for all posts.
- Phase 2 Paper 1 - Common for all posts but with higher difficulty than Phase 1.
- Phase 2 Paper 2 - Post-specific paper for Accounts, Technical, or Hindi posts, testing specialized knowledge related to the applied post.
What is the FCI Assistant Grade 3 Phase 1 exam pattern?
The FCI AG 3 Phase 1 exam is a common screening test for all posts. It is conducted online with objective-type questions, mostly bilingual (English & Hindi), and has negative marking of 1/4th for each wrong answer. The test assesses candidates' basic skills in English Language, Reasoning Ability, Numerical Aptitude, and General Awareness. The total duration is 60 minutes, and the exam contains 100 questions with 100 maximum marks.
| Subject | No. of Questions | Max Marks | Duration | Language |
|---|
| English Language | 25 | 25 | 15 min | English |
| Reasoning Ability | 25 | 25 | 15 min | Bilingual |
| Numerical Aptitude | 25 | 25 | 15 min | Bilingual |
| General Studies (History, Geography, Economy, Science, Current Affairs) | 25 | 25 | 15 min | Bilingual |
| Total | 100 | 100 | 60 min |
Explore FCI AG 3 Online Courses
What is the FCI AG 3 Phase 2 exam pattern?
The FCI Assistant Grade 3 Phase 2 exam consists of two papers: Paper 1 and Paper 2. Paper 1 is common for all posts and covers English, Reasoning, Numerical Ability, General Awareness, and Computer Knowledge at a higher difficulty level than Phase 1. Paper 2 is post-specific and tests technical or specialized knowledge depending on the post applied for Accounts, Technical, or Hindi. Both papers are online, objective-type, mostly bilingual, and have negative marking of 1/4th for incorrect answers.
| Paper | Subjects / Sections | No. of Questions | Max Marks | Duration |
|---|
| Paper 1 (common) | English, Reasoning, Numerical Ability, General Awareness, Computer Knowledge | 120 | 120 | 90 min |
| Paper 2 (post-specific) – Accounts | Accounting, Taxation, Auditing, Commercial Laws, Basic Computer Knowledge | 60 | 120 | 90 min |
| Paper 2 (post-specific) – Technical | Agriculture, Botany, Zoology (Group A) or Agriculture, Chemistry, Physics (Group B) | 60 | 120 | 90 min |
| Paper 2 (post-specific) – Hindi | Hindi Literature, Translation (Hindi-English & English-Hindi), Official Language Policy & Rules | 60 | 120 | 60 min |
Solve FCI Assistant Grade 3 PYP PDFs
What is the FCI Assistant Grade 3 Phase 2 Paper 1 exam pattern?
The FCI AG 3 Phase 2 Paper 1 is common for all posts and is conducted online. It is similar to Phase 1 but has higher difficulty questions and also includes a Computer Awareness section. Like Phase 1, it is mostly bilingual (English & Hindi), and there is negative marking of 1/4th for each wrong answer. This paper tests advanced skills in English, Reasoning, Numerical Ability, General Awareness, and basic computer knowledge.
| Subject | No. of Questions | Max Marks | Duration | Language |
|---|
| English Language | 25 | 25 | 20 min | English |
| Reasoning Ability | 25 | 25 | 20 min | Bilingual |
| Numerical Aptitude | 25 | 25 | 20 min | Bilingual |
| General Studies + Computer Awareness | 45 | 45 | 30 min | Bilingual |
| Total | 120 | 120 | 90 min |
Attempt FCI AG 3 Live Test 2026
What is the FCI Assistant Grade 3 Phase 2 Paper 2 exam pattern?
The FCI AG 3 Phase 2 Paper 2 is post-specific and only conducted for candidates applying for Accounts, Technical, or Hindi posts. It is an online, objective-type test with negative marking of 1/4th for each wrong answer. The paper assesses technical or specialized knowledge related to the post applied for. For Accounts, it tests Accounting, Taxation, Auditing, Commercial Laws, and basic Computer Knowledge. The Technical post covers Agriculture, Botany, Zoology, Chemistry, and Physics, while the Hindi post evaluates Hindi Literature, translation skills, and Official Language rules and policies.
| Post | Subjects / Topics | No. of Questions | Max Marks | Duration |
|---|
| Accounts | Accounting, Taxation, Auditing, Commercial Laws, Basic Computer Knowledge | 60 | 120 | 90 min |
| Technical | Agriculture, Botany, Zoology (Group A) or Agriculture, Chemistry, Physics (Group B) | 60 | 120 | 90 min |
| Hindi | Hindi Literature, Translation (Hindi-English & English-Hindi), Official Language Policy, Rules, Annual Programmes | 60 | 120 | 60 min |
Also Check: FCI AG 3 Eligibility Criteria
What is the FCI Grade 3 syllabus?
The FCI Assistant Grade 3 (AG 3) syllabus is designed to test candidates across two phases. Phase 1 is common for all posts and covers English Language, Reasoning Ability, Numerical Aptitude, and General Studies. Phase 2 is post-specific, where Paper 1 includes higher difficulty questions on Phase 1 subjects and Computer Knowledge, while Paper 2 focuses on specialized topics like Accounts, Technical (Agriculture, Botany, Zoology, Chemistry, Physics), or Hindi, depending on the post applied for. Knowing the syllabus helps aspirants plan targeted preparation and improve their chances of selection.
| Phase | Subjects / Syllabus | Details |
|---|
| Phase 1 (common) | English Language | Grammar, Vocabulary, Reading Comprehension, Cloze Test, Sentence Improvement, Para Jumble, Error Detection |
| Reasoning Ability | Arrangement & Pattern, Syllogism, Analogy, Inequality, Puzzles & Sitting Arrangement, Direction & Distance, Blood Relation, Venn Diagrams, Word Sequence |
| Numerical Aptitude | LCM & HCF, Quadratic Equations, Profit & Loss, Time & Work, Speed, SI & CI, Data Interpretation, Number Series, Arithmetic Problems |
| General Studies | General Science, Indian History, Indian Geography, Indian Economics, Current Affairs |
| Phase 2 Paper 1 | Same as Phase 1 + Computer Knowledge | Higher difficulty questions; Computer Knowledge includes MS Office, Internet, DBMS, Networks, Emerging Technologies, Workplace Productivity Tools |
| Phase 2 Paper 2 (post-specific) | Accounts | Basic Accounting, Taxation, Auditing, Commercial Laws, Basics of Computers |
| Technical | Agriculture (Cereals, Pulses, Plant Protection), Botany (Cell Biology, Genetics, Ecology), Zoology (Animal Cell & Tissue, Classification), Chemistry (Organic, Inorganic, Daily Life), Physics (Light, Electricity, Measurements) |
| Hindi | Hindi Literature, Translation (Hindi-English & English-Hindi), Official Language Policy, Official Language Rules, Annual Programmes |
Check FCI Assistant Grade 3 Syllabus 2026
Key Takeaways
Here are the key takeaways on the FCI AG 3 Exam Pattern 2026:
- Two-Phase Exam: The FCI Assistant Grade 3 selection process includes Phase 1 (common for all) and Phase 2 (varies by post).
- Phase 1 Structure: Consists of 100 objective questions from English, Reasoning, Numerical Aptitude, and General Studies; total duration is 60 minutes.
- Phase 2 Paper 1: Same subjects as Phase 1 but with higher difficulty and 120 questions in 90 minutes. Applicable to all posts.
- Phase 2 Paper 2: Only for AG III (Accounts), AG III (Technical), and AG III (Hindi) posts; contains 60 questions (2 marks each), testing discipline-specific knowledge; duration is 90 minutes.
- Negative Marking: There is a ⅓ mark deduction in Phase 1 and ¼ mark deduction in Phase 2 for every wrong answer.
