OPSC

Bridging Talent with Opportunities in Governance

Overview

The Odisha Public Service Commission (OPSC) conducts the prestigious OPSC exam for the recruitment of civil service officers in various departments of the Odisha government. Established under the Constitution of India, OPSC is responsible for selecting candidates for Group A and Group B positions through its comprehensive recruitment process. The exam is known for offering opportunities in a wide range of fields such as Administrative Service, Police Service, Finance Service, Revenue Service, and more.

The OPSC exam is highly regarded for its role in ensuring transparency and merit-based selection, making it a vital part of Odisha's administrative framework. This exam opens doors for candidates aspiring to work in crucial governmental positions, contributing to the state's governance and development. Conducted annually, OPSC recruits for hundreds of vacancies across multiple services, which include but are not limited to OAS (Odisha Administrative Service), OPS (Odisha Police Service), OFS (Odisha Finance Service), and ORS (Odisha Revenue Service).

Exam Highlights

   

OPSC OCS Notification 2024 Overview

Exam Name

Odisha Civil Services

Exam Conducting Body

OPSC

Name of the Post

Group A
Odisha Administrative Services (OAS)
Group B
Odisha Cooperative Services
Odisha Revenue Services
Odisha Labour Service
Odisha Transport Service
Odisha Taxation Services

Advt. No.

Advt. No, 20 of 2023-24

Total Vacancies

399

Application Start Date

17th January 2024

Last Date to Submit the Online Application

16th February 2024

Prelims Exam Date

27th October 2024

Mains Exam Date

To be Updated

Prelims Result Date

To be Updated

Official Website

opsc.gov.in

Eligibility

The eligibility criteria for the OPSC exam are crucial to ensure that only deserving and qualified candidates apply. The commission outlines specific requirements in terms of age, educational qualifications, nationality, and other categories. Here is a detailed breakdown of the criteria:

Key Points of Eligibility:

  • Nationality: The candidate must be a citizen of India.
  • Age Limit: Candidates must be at least 21 years of age and must not exceed 32 years as of the 1st of January of the year in which the exam is conducted. Age relaxation is applicable for certain categories:
    • SC/ST/SEBC/Women: 5 years
    • PWD: 10 years
  • Educational Qualification: Candidates must hold a Bachelor’s degree from a recognized university or an equivalent qualification.
  • Number of Attempts:
    • General category candidates: 4 attempts
    • SC/ST candidates: Unlimited attempts until the upper age limit is reached
    • SEBC and PwD candidates: 7 attempts
  • Physical Standards (for specific services): Candidates applying for the Odisha Police Service and certain other posts must meet the prescribed physical fitness standards.

Exam Pattern

The OPSC exam is divided into three main stages: Preliminary, Mains, and Interview. Each stage tests the candidate's proficiency in various subjects relevant to administrative and police services. Below is a detailed breakdown of the exam pattern:

Preliminary Exam Pattern:

Paper

Subject

Marks

Duration

Paper I

General Studies

200

2 hours

Paper II

General Studies

200

2 hours

Mains Exam Pattern

Paper

Subject

Marks

Duration

Paper I

Odia Language

300

3 hours

Paper II

English

300

3 hours

Paper III

English Essay

200

3 hours

Paper IV

General Studies I

300

3 hours

Paper V

General Studies II

300

3 hours

Optional I

Paper I of the chosen subject

300

3 hours

Optional II

Paper II of the chosen subject

300

3 hours

Important Dates

The OPSC exam is conducted annually, and it's essential for candidates to stay updated on the important dates regarding the release of the application form, admit cards, and exam schedule. The timeline below outlines the key dates for the OPSC exam:

Event

Date

OPSC Official Notification

January 2024

Start of Online Application

February 2024

Last Date to Apply

March 2024

Admit Card Release

April 2024

Preliminary Exam Date

May 2024

Mains Exam Date

August 2024

Interview Date

November 2024

Final Result Declaration

December 2024

Official Notification

The official notification for the OPSC exam is released on the OPSC website in January every year. This notification includes essential details such as the number of vacancies, eligibility criteria, syllabus, and important instructions for the candidates. Aspirants must carefully read the notification to avoid any discrepancies during the application process. It is recommended to download and refer to the official notification throughout the exam preparation journey. 

OPSC Official Notification

https://www.opsc.gov.in/Public/OPSC/Default.asp

Application Procedure

The application process for the OPSC exam is conducted online. Candidates need to follow the steps below to ensure a successful submission of their application:

  1. Registration: Visit the official OPSC website and complete the one-time registration process by providing basic details such as name, contact information, and educational background.
  2. Filling the Application Form: After registration, candidates need to log in and fill in the detailed application form. This includes personal information, academic qualifications, and selection of preferences for services.
  3. Uploading Documents: Candidates are required to upload scanned copies of their photograph, signature, and other relevant documents as per the specifications.
  4. Payment of Fees: The application fee can be paid online through debit/credit cards or net banking. Reserved category candidates (SC/ST/PwD) are often exempted from the fee.
  5. Submission: After completing all the steps, review the application and submit it. A confirmation email with the application number will be sent.

Syllabus

OPSC Prelims Syllabus 2024

Subjects

Syllabus

General Studies I

Indian History and Indian National Movements, General Science, Current affairs on National and International importance, Social and Economic Development- Sustainable Development, Poverty, Inclusion, Social Sector Initiative, Demographics, etc. Indian and World Geography- Physical, Economic, Social Geography, Indian Polity, and Governance- Panchayati Raj, Constitution, Public Policy, Political System, Rights Issues, etc. General Issues on Climate Change, Environmental Ecology, and Biodiversity.

General Studies II

English language and comprehension skills, Basic numeracy and data interpretation, Logical reasoning and analytical ability, Logical reasoning, Mental ability, Decision making, Interpersonal skills

OPSC Mains Syllabus 2024

Subjects

Syllabus

Odia Language

Understanding a certain passage, English to Odia Short Essay, approximately 1000 words, Grammar, vocabulary, and usage, A stretch of precise writing that is around 1000 words long, Expansion of a thought

English

Understanding a certain passage, Odia to English Short Essay, approximately 1000 words, Grammar, vocabulary, and usage, A stretch of precise writing that is around 1000 words long, Expansion of a thought

English Essay

Essay on any recent issue/ topic

General Studies I

Indian Geography, Constitution of India, Indian Polity, History of Modern India and Indian Culture, Legal and environmental issues, Political System of India, Role of National institutions, their relevance, and the need for change Demography and Human Resource Development, Current National issues and topics of social relevance, Social and Behavioral issues, and Social Welfare problems

General Studies II

Indian Economy, India and the World Statistical Analysis, Graphs & Diagrams, Important events in world affairs, External security and related matters International Affairs & Institutions, Development of Science & Technology and communication, Regional Disparity, Odisha Economy, Foreign Affairs

Optional Subjects

Agriculture

Mathematics

Anthropology

Philosophy

Botany

Statistics

Economics

Commerce & Accountancy

Education

Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Science

Civil engineering

Chemistry

Forestry

Fisheries Sciences

History

Zoology

Psychology

Indian Language & Literature (Any one-Oriya, Urdu, Sanskrit, Persian, English)

Political Science & International Relations

Electrical engineering

Geography

Geology

Law

Home Science

Mechanical Engineering

Public Administration

Physics

Management

Sociology

 

Admit Card

The OPSC Admit Card is an important document that candidates must carry to the exam centre. It is released online a few weeks before the exam date. The admit card contains the candidate’s personal information, exam centre details, and important instructions. Candidates can download their admit card by following these steps:

  1. Visit the official OPSC website.
  2. Log in using your registration credentials.
  3. Click on the "Download Admit Card" link.
  4. Enter the required details and download the PDF of the admit card.
  5. Print multiple copies for future reference.