OPSC OCS 2026
Complete Guide
The ultimate guide to the Odisha Civil Services Examination
Odisha Public Service Commission (OPSC) — Odisha Civil Services Examination, 2025 (Advt. No. 05 of 2025-26)
Source: OPSC Official Advertisement & OCS (CCRE) Rules, 1991 (amended 2022), opsc.gov.in • Updated: April 2026
1What is the OPSC OCS Examination?
The Odisha Civil Services (OCS) Examination is conducted by the Odisha Public Service Commission (OPSC) for various Group A and Group B services under the Government of Odisha, governed by the Odisha Civil Services (Combined Competitive Recruitment Examination) Rules, 1991 (as amended 2022). OPSC operates from 19, Dr. P. K. Parija Road, Cuttack-753001.
OCS is the state-level analogue of the UPSC Civil Services Examination — the Odisha Administrative Service (OAS) being the closest equivalent to the IAS. A single combined examination recruits to multiple state services; a candidate applies once and is allotted a service by merit and preference.
1.1 OPSC OCS at a Glance
| Particular | Detail |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Odisha Civil Services Examination, 2025 (Advt. No. 05 of 2025-26) |
| Conducting Authority | Odisha Public Service Commission (OPSC) |
| 2026 Vacancies | 465 (154 reserved for women) |
| Service Groups | Group A (2 services) + Group B (9 services) = 11 |
| Selection Stages | Three — Preliminary + Main + Personality Test |
| Application Mode | Online only via opsc.gov.in (PPSAN-based) |
| Exam Mode | Prelims: objective MCQ; Mains: descriptive; PT: interview |
| Default Mains Language | Odia (English option chosen at application, irreversible) |
| Headquarters | 19, Dr. P. K. Parija Road, Cuttack-753001 |
| Education | Bachelor's degree in any discipline from a recognised university |
| Odia Requirement | Mandatory at eligibility, Mains qualifying paper & default medium |
| Age | 21 to 42 years on 1 January 2025 (relaxations for reserved categories) |
| Final Merit | Mains merit papers 1,750 + Personality Test 250 = 2,000 |
22026 Cycle — Notification & Dates
| Event | Date / Detail |
|---|---|
| Original Notification | 31 December 2025 (Advt. No. 05 of 2025-26) |
| 1st Addendum (vacancies revised to 465) | 3 January 2026 |
| Online Application | 20 January – 12 March 2026 (5:00 PM) — complete |
| Total Vacancies (revised) | 465 (154 for women) |
| Age Cut-off Date | 1 January 2025 |
| Provisional Answer Key | Within 10 days of Prelims (objections invited) |
| Preliminary Examination (Tentative) | 7 June 2026 (Sunday) — six zonal centres |
| Main Examination | Date awaited — six zonal centres |
| Personality Test / Final Result | After Mains result — OPSC office, Cuttack |
3Eligibility Criteria
A. Citizenship & Education
A candidate must be a citizen of India and hold a Bachelor's degree from a recognised university (UGC-recognised, an Act of Parliament/State Legislature, a deemed university, or an approved foreign university).
B. Odia Language Proficiency (Mandatory)
C. Other Mandatory Conditions
- Good moral character and sound health, free from any physical defect likely to interfere with duties.
- Marriage clause: a candidate with more than one spouse living — or a woman married to a person with one spouse living — is not eligible (unless exempted by the State Government).
- Government servants must obtain an NOC from the competent authority and inform their department in advance.
- Age proof: the date of birth in the High School Certificate (or equivalent) is accepted; no change is allowed once entered.
4Age Limit & Attempts
21 to 42 years as on 1 January 2025 (born 2 Jan 1983 – 1 Jan 2004 for Unreserved).
| Category | Age Relaxation (Upper Limit) |
|---|---|
| Unreserved (General) | No relaxation — 42 years |
| SC / ST of Odisha | +5 years |
| SEBC of Odisha | +5 years |
| Women candidates | +5 years |
| Ex-Servicemen | +5 years |
| Persons with Disabilities (40%+) | +10 years (cumulative for PwD of SC/ST/SEBC) |
4.1 Number of Attempts
| Category | Maximum Attempts |
|---|---|
| Unreserved (General) | 6 attempts |
| SEBC | 9 attempts |
| SC & ST | No limit |
5Reservation Categories
Reservation follows GoO policy and applies ONLY to candidates with valid Odisha domicile and the relevant certificate. Vertical: Open (UR), SC (by birth), ST (by birth), SEBC (Non-Creamy Layer). Horizontal: Women (154 of 465 posts), PwD (4%), Ex-Servicemen (3%), Sports Persons (1%).
6Posts & Salary
11 services across two groups, per the Odisha Revised Scales of Pay (ORSP) Rules, 2017.
6.1 Group A — Senior Administrative Services (2)
| Service | Pay |
|---|---|
| Odisha Administrative Service, Group-A (Junior Branch) | ₹56,100 — Level-12, Cell-1 |
| Odisha Police Service, Group-A (Junior Branch) | ₹56,100 — Level-12, Cell-1 |
6.2 Group B — Allied Administrative Services (9)
| Service | Pay |
|---|---|
| Odisha Revenue Service | ₹44,900 — Level-10, Cell-1 |
| Odisha Taxation & Accounts Service | ₹44,900 — Level-10, Cell-1 |
| Odisha Co-operative Service | ₹44,900 — Level-10, Cell-1 |
| Odisha Skill Development & Employment Service | ₹44,900 — Level-10, Cell-1 |
| Odisha Labour Service | ₹44,900 — Level-10, Cell-1 |
| Odisha Excise Service | ₹44,900 — Level-10, Cell-1 |
| Odisha Tourism Service | ₹44,900 — Level-10, Cell-1 |
| Odisha Welfare Service | ₹44,900 — Level-10, Cell-1 |
| Odisha Transport Service | ₹44,900 — Level-10, Cell-1 |
7Exam Pattern
Stage 1: Preliminary Examination (screening only)
| Paper | Subject | Marks | Duration | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paper-I | General Studies-I | 200 | 2 hrs | Counted for screening |
| Paper-II | General Studies-II | 200 | 2 hrs | Qualifying at 33% |
| TOTAL | 400 | — |
- Both papers are mandatory — absence in either disqualifies. 1/3 (0.33) negative marking per wrong answer; multiple answers count as wrong; no penalty for blanks.
- Question papers (other than language/literature subjects) are set in English. Prelims marks are NOT counted in final merit. Mains shortlist = not more than 12× vacancies.
Stage 2: Main Examination (9 papers)
Part-I — Qualifying language papers (marks NOT counted in merit):
| Paper | Subject | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Paper-I | Odia Language (comprehension, precis, usage, short essays, translation) | 250 (qualifying 25%) |
| Paper-II | English Language (comprehension, precis, usage, short essays) | 250 (qualifying 25%) |
Part-II — Merit-counting papers:
| Paper | Subject | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Paper-I | Essay | 250 |
| Paper-II | General Studies-I (Indian & Odisha Heritage/Culture, History & Geography) | 250 |
| Paper-III | General Studies-II (Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice, IR) | 250 |
| Paper-IV | General Studies-III (Technology, Economy, Environment, Security, DM) | 250 |
| Paper-V | General Studies-IV (Ethics, Integrity & Aptitude) | 250 |
| Paper-VI | Optional Subject — Paper-I | 250 |
| Paper-VII | Optional Subject — Paper-II | 250 |
| Mains written (merit) total | 1,750 |
Stage 3: Personality Test
Carries 250 marks (no minimum qualifying), at the OPSC office, Cuttack; about twice the vacancies are called.
Total Marks & Final Merit
| Component | Marks |
|---|---|
| Part-I Qualifying Papers (Odia + English) | 500 (not counted) |
| Part-II Merit Papers (7) | 1,750 |
| Personality Test | 250 |
| GRAND TOTAL (Final Merit) | 2,000 |
Fast-Track Your OPSC Prelims — Starts 25 March
Odisha PSC Prelims 2026 Crash Course
- Recorded + Live batch — 70 days, 200+ classes
- Complete Odisha GK + General & Odisha Current Affairs
- Geography, Polity, History, Economics, Science, Art & Culture
- With Notes, PYQs & Tests (Starts 25 March, Ends 3 June)
8Detailed Syllabus
From Annexure-III & V of the advertisement. Confirm the precise topic list on opsc.gov.in.
8.1 Prelims Syllabus
Paper-I — General Studies-I: current events of national & international importance; history of India & the national movement; history of Odisha & Odia nationalism; Odisha & Indian geography; Indian polity & governance; public policy & rights issues; economic & social development; environment, ecology, biodiversity & climate change; general science.
Paper-II — General Studies-II (qualifying, 33%): comprehension; interpersonal & communication skills; logical reasoning & analytical ability; decision-making & problem-solving; general mental ability; basic numeracy & data interpretation (Class X level).
8.2 Mains Syllabus
Part-I — Odia & English Language (250 each, qualifying 25%)
Both papers test comprehension, precis writing, usage & vocabulary and short essays (Odia also includes English↔Odia translation). Marks are not counted in merit, but you must clear 25% in EACH for your Part-II papers to be evaluated — treat them as non-negotiable gateways, especially the Odia paper for non-native speakers.
Part-II Paper-I — Essay (250)
Essays on chosen topics; marks for clarity, precision, originality, economy of words and orderly arrangement of ideas. A high-leverage differentiator — practise full essays under time.
Part-II Paper-II — GS-I: Heritage, History & Geography (250)
Indian heritage & culture, Odisha heritage & culture, history & geography of the world & society.
Odisha anchors: Konark Sun Temple, Lingaraj & Jagannath temple architecture; the Kalinga War; the Paika Rebellion; Vir Surendra Sai; the Praja Mandal Movement; the Odia Renaissance & Madhusudan Das; integration of the princely states. This Odisha layer separates OPSC toppers from generic UPSC-pattern preparation.
Part-II Paper-III — GS-II: Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice, IR (250)
The Indian Constitution, federalism, separation of powers, Parliament & State Legislatures, constitutional & statutory bodies, social-justice mechanisms and centre-state / inter-state relations.
Part-II Paper-IV — GS-III: Technology, Economy, Environment, Security, DM (250)
Indian economy, planning & resource mobilisation, agriculture & food security, science & technology, environmental protection & biodiversity, internal security, and disaster management (coastal cyclones are an Odisha-specific anchor).
Part-II Paper-V — GS-IV: Ethics, Integrity & Aptitude (250)
Role of civil services in democracy, ethics & human values, attitude, foundational values (integrity, impartiality, objectivity, empathy), emotional intelligence, moral thinkers, public-administration ethics, probity in governance, and ethical case studies (use a framework: stakeholders → issues → options → recommendation).
Part-II Papers VI & VII — Optional Subject (250 each) + list
One optional (two papers, same subject, 500 total), chosen from the official list — including Agriculture, Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Science, Anthropology, Botany, Chemistry, Civil/Electrical/Mechanical Engineering, Commerce & Accountancy, Economics, Education, Fishery Science, Forestry, Medical Science, Philosophy, Physics, Political Science & IR, Psychology, Public Administration, Sociology, Statistics, Zoology, and the Literature of one language (English, Hindi, Odia, Sanskrit, Persian, Urdu and others per Annexure-V). The optional cannot be changed once submitted.
9Physical Standards (Odisha Police Service Only)
A Physical Standard Test applies ONLY to candidates who opt for the Odisha Police Service, conducted per Home Department Notification No. 29452/PSC dated 4 July 2011 (Annexure-IV of the advertisement). For all other Group A and Group B services, no Physical Standard Test is prescribed at recruitment.
10How to Apply
Applications are online only via opsc.gov.in; a PPSAN is generated on submission.
11Application Fee
| Category | Application Fee |
|---|---|
| General / Unreserved | ₹700 |
| SEBC | ₹700 |
| SC & ST of Odisha | NIL (no fee) |
| PwD (40%+) | NIL (no fee) |
12OPSC Office, Zones & Contact
| Particular | Detail |
|---|---|
| Commission | Odisha Public Service Commission (OPSC) |
| Office Address | 19, Dr. P. K. Parija Road, Cuttack-753001, Odisha |
| Official Website | https://opsc.gov.in |
| Technical Support (application) | 0671-2304707 |
| Facilitation Counter | 0671-2304141 / 0671-2305611, Extn-218 |
| Grievances / Complaints | opsc@od.gov.in (within 7 days of the exam) |
| Working Hours | 10:30 AM–1:30 PM, 2:00 PM–5:30 PM (GoO working days) |
13Selection Process Summary
- Stage 1 — Prelims: two objective papers (GS-I + GS-II, 200 each = 400). Paper-II qualifying at 33%; 1/3 negative marking; both mandatory. Screening only — not counted in final merit. Mains shortlist = not more than 12× vacancies.
- Stage 2 — Mains (six zones): nine descriptive papers — two qualifying language papers (Odia & English, 250 each, 25% each) + seven merit papers (Essay + GS-I to GS-IV + 2 Optional, 250 each = 1,750). Default language Odia.
- Stage 3 — Personality Test (Cuttack): 250 marks, no qualifying cut-off; about twice the vacancies are called.
- Final Merit: Mains merit papers (1,750) + Personality Test (250) = 2,000. Allotment by rank and preference.
14Preparation Tips from Parcham Classes
OPSC rewards depth and a deep command of Odisha-specific content — organised into four phases.
01 Build a strong NCERT foundation
Spend the first 3–4 months on Class 6–12 NCERTs across History, Geography, Polity, Economy and Science. With 1/3 negative marking in Prelims, weak concepts cost you marks. The NCERT Advanced Batch 2026-27 structures this.
02 Master Odisha — the real differentiator
Prelims GS-I has dedicated Odisha history & geography; Mains GS-I covers Odisha heritage. Build Odisha notes from Day One: Konark/Lingaraj/Jagannath, the Odia Renaissance & Madhusudan Das, Kalinga War, Paika Rebellion, Vir Surendra Sai, Praja Mandal, and GoO schemes (KALIA, Mission Shakti, BSKY, Mo Bus).
05 Sort out your Odia eligibility & reading early
Odia is a hard eligibility filter, a 250-mark qualifying Mains paper (25%), and the default Mains/viva medium. Non-native speakers should secure the required Odia school qualification and build Odia reading 12 months ahead.
03 Take Paper-II (CSAT) seriously
GS Paper-II needs 33% to qualify and is mandatory. Comprehension carries the largest share; practise it plus Class-X maths, DI and reasoning consistently — many strong-GS candidates lose the cycle here.
06 Build Odisha current affairs
Odisha Cabinet decisions, state schemes, KBK development, tribal welfare, mining policy, coastal disaster management and Bhubaneswar smart-city news feed the Odisha GS portions. The Current Affairs Complete Kit 2026 adds the Odisha angle.
04 Solve 5–10 years of OPSC PYQs
Odisha-specific stems repeat almost identically. PYQs (in the OPSC Candidate's Corner) are your highest-leverage resource. The All State PSC One-Liner E-Book (16,000+ one-liners) supports volume revision.
07 Pick your optional wisely (500 marks)
Both optional papers are the same subject (500 of the 1,750 merit marks). Choose on academic comfort, study-material availability in the Bhubaneswar/Cuttack market, and toppers' choices — Public Administration, Sociology, Geography, History, Political Science and Economics are popular. The optional can't be changed once chosen.
08 Decide the Mains language early
The default Mains/viva language is Odia; choosing English is an irreversible application-stage option. Either way, the Odia qualifying paper (25%) is mandatory. Make your articulation exam-ready in your chosen language.
09 Take full-paper timed Mains mocks
Nine 3-hour papers across multiple days at your zone is endurance work. Begin Mains mocks four months out via the OPSC Pattern Mock Test Series; the Essay and the Ethics case studies are high-leverage.
10 Plan the long cycle & track attempts
An OPSC cycle runs 12–15 months. Attempt caps apply (General 6, SEBC 9, SC/ST unlimited; one Prelims appearance = one attempt). Plan a 2–3 cycle attack, keep a one-page error log per mock, and protect sleep, exercise and weekly breaks.
The Parcham Stack for OPSC OCS
| Programme | Best Suited For |
|---|---|
| Odisha PSC Prelims 2026 Crash Course | Prelims fast-track — 70 days, 200+ recorded + live classes with complete Odisha GK, notes, PYQs & tests, before the 7 June 2026 Prelims |
| OPSC Prelims 2026 Mock Test Series | Prelims sprint — 25 tests (15 full-length + 7 sectional + 3 CSAT) on the latest pattern, with solutions & All India Ranking |
| All-in-One State PSC Batch 2026-27 (Flagship) | End-to-end Prelims + Mains for OPSC and other state PCS exams — lifetime access, with state-GK modules & Answer Writing Workshops |
| NCERT Advanced Batch 2026-27 | Foundation Phase — core concepts across History, Geography, Polity, Economy, Science |
| Current Affairs Complete Kit 2026 | Active Preparation — monthly e-magazine, daily headliners and MCQs with the Odisha angle |
15Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. When is the OPSC OCS Prelims 2026?
Tentatively 7 June 2026 (Sunday), per Advt. No. 05 of 2025-26, at six zonal centres (Balasore, Berhampur, Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, Jeypore, Sambalpur). The Mains date is awaited. Verify on opsc.gov.in.
Q2. How many vacancies and services?
465 vacancies (154 for women) across 11 services — 2 Group A (Odisha Administrative Service, Odisha Police Service) and 9 Group B (Revenue, Taxation & Accounts, Co-operative, Skill Development & Employment, Labour, Excise, Tourism, Welfare, Transport).
Q3. Is Odia language mandatory?
Yes, at three levels: (1) eligibility — you must satisfy one of four Odia school qualifications; (2) a 250-mark qualifying Odia Mains paper (25%); (3) Odia is the default Mains/viva language (English must be opted at application and is irreversible).
Q4. What is the age limit?
21 to 42 years as on 1 January 2025. Relaxations: +5 years (SC/ST/SEBC/Women/Ex-Servicemen of Odisha) and +10 years (PwD 40%+, cumulative for PwD of SC/ST/SEBC). Benefits apply to candidates of Odisha only.
Q5. What is the application fee, and is it refundable?
₹700 for General/SEBC; NIL for SC/ST/PwD of Odisha. Notably, the fee is refunded to General/SEBC candidates who actually appear in BOTH Prelims papers (to the original payment mode). SC/ST from other states pay the full fee.
Q6. Is there negative marking in Prelims?
Yes — one-third (0.33) of a question's marks is deducted per wrong answer in both papers; multiple answers count as wrong; no penalty for blanks.
Q7. What is the CSAT qualifying threshold?
33% in GS Paper-II (mandatory). Failing it disqualifies you regardless of Paper-I.
Q8. What is the Mains structure?
Nine descriptive papers: two qualifying language papers (Odia & English, 250 each, 25% each, not counted) + seven merit papers (Essay + GS-I to GS-IV + Optional Paper-I & II, 250 each = 1,750). Final merit = 1,750 + Personality Test 250 = 2,000.
Q9. How many attempts are allowed?
General 6, SEBC 9, SC/ST unlimited. Appearing in even one Prelims paper counts as one attempt; an age-relaxation claim can't add attempts.
Q10. Can candidates from outside Odisha apply?
Yes, if they meet the Odia language eligibility (one of four Odia school qualifications). But reservation/age relaxation apply only to candidates of Odisha — out-of-state candidates compete for Unreserved posts only.
Q11. Where is the Mains held?
At the same six zonal centres as the Prelims; you choose two zones during the application (first-come-first-served allotment). The Personality Test is at the OPSC office, Cuttack.
Q12. Where can I get official updates?
Always check opsc.gov.in — advertisement, syllabus, dates, admit cards and results are released only there. Technical help: 0671-2304707; grievances: opsc@od.gov.in within 7 days of the exam.
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Explore CoursesDisclaimer & Source Citation
This document was prepared by Parcham Classes based exclusively on official OPSC sources:
- OPSC Advertisement No. 05 of 2025-26, dated 31 December 2025 (Notice No. 8987/PSC), and the 1st Addendum dated 3 January 2026 (Notice No. 118/P.S.C.)
- Odisha Civil Services (Combined Competitive Recruitment Examination) Rules, 1991 (as amended 2022)
- Odisha Civil Services (Method of Examination in Odia Medium) Rules, 2022; Odisha Revised Scales of Pay (ORSP) Rules, 2017
- OPSC official website — https://opsc.gov.in
Tentative date: the 7 June 2026 Prelims date is tentative per the notification; the Mains date is awaited. Verify on opsc.gov.in.
Conditions: reservation and age-relaxation benefits apply to candidates of Odisha only; vacancy numbers may change at the State Government's discretion. Mere empanelment confers no right to appointment.
Verify: For all dates, vacancies, fees, eligibility, pay scale and pattern, the official OPSC notification on opsc.gov.in is the final authority. Last updated: April 2026.
