The Odisha Public Service Commission (OPSC) has announced the examination schedule for the Odisha Civil Services (OCS) Examination 2026. According to the official update, the Preliminary Examination will be conducted on 07 June 2026 (Sunday). The recruitment drive aims to fill 465 Group A and Group B posts across multiple departments of the Odisha state government.
The OPSC OCS examination is one of the key recruitment processes for administrative and allied services in Odisha. Candidates who meet the eligibility requirements, including educational qualification, age criteria, and Odia language proficiency, can participate in the selection process. The recruitment notification provides detailed information on vacancies, exam stages, and application procedures.
Candidates preparing for the exam should begin their preparation in accordance with the official exam pattern and syllabus.
The official notification for OPSC OCS Recruitment 2026 was released on 31 December 2025. The recruitment process is conducted in three stages: Preliminary Examination, Main Examination, and Personality Test.
The table below presents key details of the recruitment.
| Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Recruitment Body | Odisha Public Service Commission |
| Exam Name | OPSC OCS 2026 |
| Advertisement No. | 05 of 2025-26 |
| Total Vacancies | 465 |
| Posts | Group A & Group B |
| Notification Date | 31 December 2025 |
| Application Start | 20 January 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply | 12 March 2026 |
| Prelims Exam Date | 07 June 2026 |
| Official Website | opsc.ocs.gov.in |
Candidates are advised to regularly check the official website for updates regarding admit cards and the Main Examination schedule.
Vacancies
Initially, the commission announced 314 vacancies. However, through the first addendum to Advertisement No. 05 of 2025-26, the number of vacancies was revised to 465 posts.
The service-wise vacancy distribution is shown below.
| Post | Group | Vacancies |
|---|---|---|
| Odisha Administrative Service (OAS) | A | 16 |
| Odisha Police Service (OPS) | A | 31 |
| Odisha Finance Service (OFS) | A | 89 |
| Odisha Cooperative Service | B | 4 |
| Odisha Revenue Service | B | 54 |
| Odisha Labour Service | B | 20 |
| Odisha Employment Service | B | 13 |
| Odisha Taxation & Accounts Service | B | 87 |
| Odisha Excise Service | B | 6 |
| Odisha Tourism Service | B | 8 |
| Odisha Welfare Service | B | 16 |
| Odisha Skill Development & Employment Service | B | 10 |
| Odisha Transport Service | B | 8 |
| Total | A & B | 465 |
Reservation has also been provided as per applicable government norms.
| Category | Reservation |
|---|---|
| PwD | 4% (20 posts) |
| Ex-Servicemen | 3% (10 posts) |
| Sports Persons | 1% (4 posts) |
| Women | Included category-wise |
Eligibility
Applicants must meet the eligibility criteria set by the Odisha Public Service Commission before applying for the recruitment.
Age
The minimum age required is 21 years, while the maximum age for unreserved candidates is 38 years. Age relaxation is provided for reserved categories such as SC, ST, OBC, women, PwD, and ex-servicemen in accordance with government rules.
Education
Candidates must possess a bachelor’s degree in any discipline from a recognized university. The university must be approved by the University Grants Commission (UGC) or recognized by the state government.
Degrees obtained through regular, distance, or open learning modes are acceptable if the institution is recognized.
Candidates currently in the final year of their degree program may also apply, but they must provide proof of passing the examination before the final stage of selection.
Language
Candidates must have the ability to read, write, and speak the Odia language. In addition, they should have studied Odia as a subject or medium of instruction at the prescribed educational level.
Fees
The application fee must be paid online during the application process. Accepted payment methods include debit card, credit card, net banking, and UPI.
| Category | Fee |
|---|---|
| General / SEBC | ₹700 |
| SC / ST | Exempted |
| PwD | Exempted |
The fee once paid is non-refundable.
Selection
The OPSC OCS 2026 recruitment process includes three stages.
Preliminary
The Preliminary Examination serves as a screening test and includes two objective papers.
| Paper | Subject | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper I | General Studies | 200 | 2 hours |
| Paper II | General Studies | 200 | 2 hours |
| Total | 400 | 4 hours |
Negative marking applies in the preliminary stage, and Paper II is qualifying in nature.
Mains
Candidates who qualify in the Preliminary Examination will appear for the Main Examination, which consists of descriptive papers.
| Paper | Marks |
|---|---|
| Odia Language | 250 |
| English Language | 250 |
| Essay | 250 |
| General Studies I | 250 |
| General Studies II | 250 |
| General Studies III | 250 |
| General Studies IV | 250 |
| Optional Paper I | 250 |
| Optional Paper II | 250 |
Candidates must obtain at least 25 percent marks in each qualifying paper for the evaluation of merit papers.
Interview
Candidates who qualify in the written mains examination will be invited for a Personality Test or Interview. The interview carries 250 marks. Final selection is based on the combined performance in the Main Examination and the Interview.
Attempts
The permitted number of attempts varies according to category.
| Category | Attempts |
|---|---|
| Unreserved | 6 |
| SEBC | 9 |
| SC | Unlimited |
| ST | Unlimited |
Salary
The salary for officers selected through the OPSC OCS examination depends on the post and service group. Officers receive basic pay along with allowances such as Dearness Allowance (DA), House Rent Allowance (HRA), and Travel Allowance (TA).
| Post | Group | Pay Level |
|---|---|---|
| Odisha Administrative Service | A | ₹56,100 – Level 12 |
| Odisha Finance Service | A | ₹56,100 – Level 12 |
| Taxation & Accounts Service | B | ₹44,900 – Level 10 |
| Cooperative Audit Service | B | ₹44,900 – Level 10 |
| Cooperative Service | B | ₹44,900 – Level 10 |
| Revenue Service | B | ₹44,900 – Level 10 |
In addition to salary, officers may receive other benefits such as medical facilities, pension benefits, and career advancement opportunities within the state administrative structure.
The OPSC OCS 2026 examination provides an important opportunity for graduates who aim to serve in Odisha’s administrative services. With 465 vacancies across multiple departments, candidates preparing for the Preliminary Examination scheduled on 7 June 2026 should carefully review the official exam pattern and eligibility requirements. Consistent preparation and a clear knowing of the examination stages will be essential for candidates seeking selection through this competitive process.
FAQs
When is the OPSC OCS Prelims 2026 exam?
The OPSC OCS Prelims exam will be held on 07 June 2026.
How many vacancies are in OPSC OCS 2026?
A total of 465 Group A and B posts are available.
What is the age limit for OPSC OCS 2026?
Candidates must be between 21 and 38 years.
What is the application fee for OPSC OCS?
₹700 for General and SEBC candidates.
What is the selection process for OPSC OCS?
Prelims, Mains exam, and Interview.
