The Delhi Development Authority (DDA) has initiated the recruitment process for the position of Mali (Gardener), a key Group C role dedicated to the upkeep of the capitalβs extensive parks, gardens, and urban landscaping projects. This recruitment drive, cataloged under Advertisement No. 09/2025, represents a significant career opportunity for individuals seeking to contribute to the beautification and environmental health of Delhi's green infrastructure. As a Mali within the DDA framework, candidates are entrusted with essential horticultural duties, including the meticulous planting of flora, consistent irrigation, pruning, and the daily maintenance of various green zones throughout the city.
The announcement of 282 vacancies highlights the organization's commitment to strengthening its gardening workforce. With a structured recruitment timeline, the authority has finalized the examination schedule, setting the written examination for 31st December 2025. Prospective candidates are required to navigate a competitive selection process, which includes a comprehensive Computer-Based Test (CBT) followed by a mandatory Trade/Practical Test designed to verify hands-on horticultural expertise. This dual-stage assessment ensures that only the most proficient individuals are selected for these vital public-sector roles. Candidates are encouraged to monitor the official DDA web portal frequently for any specific updates regarding venue allocations, specific reporting protocols, and administrative notifications related to the upcoming examination.
The Delhi Development Authority conducts the DDA Mali examination as a standardized, state-level recruitment effort aimed at staffing gardening and horticultural positions across its jurisdiction. The selection process is meticulously structured to balance theoretical knowledge with professional field skills. The process begins with a Computer-Based Test (CBT), serving as the initial screening mechanism, followed by a specialized Trade or Practical Test, and culminating in a rigorous Document Verification stage to confirm the veracity of candidates' academic and professional credentials.
As an official government entity, the DDA ensures transparency and accessibility by conducting these examinations through centralized digital frameworks. The CBT format is designed to test technical proficiency in agriculture and horticulture alongside general cognitive aptitude. Following the written assessment, the Trade/Practical Test acts as a pivotal hurdle where candidates must demonstrate their proficiency in real-world gardening tasks, such as plant identification, soil preparation, tool maintenance, and pruning techniques. This holistic approach ensures that the selected personnel are not only theoretically sound but also practically competent in the nuanced demands of urban landscaping. All recruitment activities, including the announcement of exam dates, the release of hall tickets, and the subsequent publication of results, are strictly governed by the official regulations of the Delhi Development Authority, with all relevant documentation and updates centralized at their official web portal, dda.gov.in.
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Candidates appearing for the DDA Mali recruitment must adhere to strict guidelines to ensure a smooth examination experience. It is mandatory to carry the official DDA Mali Hall Ticket 2025 to the examination center on 31st December 2025. Without this document, entry into the test hall will be denied. Additionally, candidates should bring a valid government-issued photo ID (such as an Aadhaar Card, PAN Card, or Voter ID) for verification purposes.
During the Computer-Based Test (CBT), strict compliance with digital testing protocols is expected. Candidates are strictly prohibited from carrying electronic devices such as calculators, mobile phones, or smartwatches into the examination hall. Any deviation from these rules may result in disqualification. Regarding the later stages, specifically the Trade/Practical test, candidates should prepare for a hands-on assessment where their proficiency in tool usage, plant identification, and basic horticultural techniques will be scrutinized. Attendance is mandatory at all stages of the selection process. Candidates should consistently monitor the official DDA website for any last-minute notifications regarding center changes or special advisories. For those submitting applications, it is essential to ensure that all information provided is accurate, as no editing or corrections are permissible once the application is finalized.
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Application Start Date | 6th October 2025 |
| Application End Date | 5th November 2025 |
| Fee Payment End Date | 7th November 2025 |
| Written Examination Date | 31st December 2025 |
| Category | Number of Vacancies |
|---|---|
| Unreserved (UR) | 118 |
| EWS | 30 |
| SC | 35 |
| ST | 22 |
| OBC | 27 |
The DDA Mali recruitment drive for 2025 features a total of 282 vacancies across various categories, reflecting the organization's focus on maintaining and upgrading urban green spaces under its administration in Delhi. The distribution of these seats, including 118 for the Unreserved category, 30 for EWS, 35 for SC, 22 for ST, and 27 for OBC, showcases a balanced approach toward providing opportunities across different segments of society. The consistency of these roles in the governmental landscape underscores the ongoing requirement for skilled horticultural workers to manage the capitalβs parks, botanical gardens, and public green areas. Historically, the demand for such roles remains steady, as the expansion of urban infrastructure necessitates dedicated personnel for horticulture maintenance. This cycle's vacancy figures are specifically aligned with the current human resource requirements for the 2025 fiscal year, aiming to fill these critical posts with qualified, entry-level professionals who meet the prescribed educational and skill-based benchmarks.
| Post | Organization | Pay Scale (Level 1) |
|---|---|---|
| Mali | Delhi Development Authority (DDA) | βΉ18,000 - βΉ56,900 |
| Category | Application Fee |
|---|---|
| General / OBC / EWS | βΉ1,000 |
| SC / ST / PwD / Ex-Servicemen | βΉ250 |
| Female (All Categories) | βΉ250 |
Candidates applying for the DDA Mali position must be between the age of 18 and 30 years to be considered eligible. This age criteria is strictly enforced to ensure candidates are within the required recruitment age bracket. It is important for applicants to check their age based on the specific cutoff date mentioned in the official notification to ensure they qualify.
The essential educational qualification for the DDA Mali position is a 10th-class pass (matriculation) from a recognized educational board. While the 10th pass is the minimum mandatory requirement, the selection process gives preference to candidates who possess additional knowledge or certification in horticulture-related fields. This ensures that the recruited individuals have a basic aptitude for gardening and can quickly adapt to the technical requirements of the role, such as plant care, soil management, and the use of garden tools, which form the core of their daily responsibilities in Delhi's urban landscaping projects.
| Section | No. of Questions | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Technical (Agriculture/Horticulture) | 80 | 80 | 120 minutes |
| Reasoning | 10 | 10 | |
| Quantitative Aptitude | 10 | 10 | |
| General Awareness | 10 | 10 | |
| English Language | 10 | 10 | |
| Total | 120 | 120 | - |
The Mali position under the Delhi Development Authority falls under Level 1 of the 7th Central Pay Commission (CPC). The basic pay for this role starts at βΉ18,000 and extends up to βΉ56,900 per month. Beyond the base salary, employees are eligible for standard government-mandated allowances, which significantly enhance the total compensation package. These benefits include Dearness Allowance (DA), House Rent Allowance (HRA), and Transport Allowance (TA). The final in-hand salary is determined by various factors, including the specific city of posting and applicable deductions such as pension contributions and tax, in accordance with the current administrative policies of the central government.
The DDA Mali Hall Ticket for the 2025 examination has been officially released. Candidates can download it directly from the DDAβs official website. To access the hall ticket, candidates must navigate to the portal and enter their registered credentials, such as their Registration ID and password, which were provided during the initial application process. It is highly recommended that candidates download the file well in advance of the 31st December 2025 exam date to avoid last-minute technical issues. Once downloaded, candidates should verify all personal information, such as name, photograph, and exam center details, to ensure they are correct. A printed copy of the hall ticket is essential for entry into the examination hall, as candidates without it will not be allowed to participate in the written test.
Information regarding the DDA Mali answer key will be published on the official DDA portal following the completion of the Computer-Based Test (CBT) on 31st December 2025. Once available, candidates will be able to download the answer key to assess their performance and calculate their estimated scores. The authority typically provides a window for candidates to raise objections if they find any discrepancies in the tentative answer key. Candidates will need to submit their concerns with valid supporting evidence within the stipulated time frame provided by the DDA. Detailed instructions on the procedure for filing these objections and any associated fees will be explicitly mentioned in the official notice accompanying the release of the answer key. Staying updated through the official website is the best way for candidates to ensure they do not miss the objection window.
The final results for the DDA Mali recruitment will be declared on the official DDA portal after the successful completion of the Computer-Based Test (CBT) and the Trade/Practical Test. Candidates can check their status by visiting the 'Result' section on the main website. To access the results, you will typically need to log in with your credentials or search your name/roll number within the provided merit list PDF. The result will display the names or roll numbers of candidates who have qualified for the subsequent stages of the recruitment process. It is advisable for all candidates to monitor the official announcements regularly and download a copy of the final result for future reference during the joining and documentation process.
To succeed in the DDA Mali exam, candidates should adopt a balanced preparation strategy that treats technical and non-technical sections with equal importance. Since the Technical section (Agriculture/Horticulture) carries 80 marks out of 120, a deep understanding of core gardening topics like soil types, plant varieties, and tool maintenance is non-negotiable. Spend daily time studying these technical concepts while setting aside shorter, dedicated blocks for Reasoning, Quantitative Aptitude, General Awareness, and English.
Developing a consistent daily routine is vital. Start by creating a syllabus-based study plan and stick to it. Practice mock tests to improve time management, as completing 120 questions within 120 minutes requires a steady pace. Regularly review your practice answers, focus on your weak areas, and ensure you are familiar with the format of the Computer-Based Test. Since there is a practical trade test as part of the selection, try to gain some hands-on experience or observational knowledge of garden maintenance. Maintaining a positive, disciplined approach throughout the preparation period will significantly improve your chances of qualifying for this government position.
The cut-off marks for the DDA Mali examination are determined by the Delhi Development Authority based on several factors, including the total number of applicants, the difficulty level of the question paper, and the available vacancies. Following the completion of the Computer-Based Test, the official cut-off list is published for various categories (UR, EWS, SC, ST, OBC). Candidates can access these details on the official DDA website. Since the exam aims to filter candidates based on both technical and general proficiency, higher cut-offs are generally expected in the technical domain (80 marks weightage). Candidates are advised to check the category-wise cut-off tables as soon as they are released to gauge their standing and prepare for the subsequent stages of the selection process, such as the trade test and document verification.
Applying for the DDA Mali position requires a systematic approach via the official Delhi Development Authority web portal. Candidates should carefully follow these steps to ensure their application is successful:
The application window opened on 6th October 2025 and officially concluded on 5th November 2025, with a final deadline for fee payment on 7th November 2025.