Comprehensive OAS Syllabus: Scheme and Structure for OPSC Prelims and Mains

Comprehensive OAS Syllabus: The Odisha Public Service Commission (OPSC) conducts the Odisha Administrative Service (OAS) examination to recruit candidates for various prestigious administrative roles within the state. The examination follows a rigorous and structured scheme comprising three stages: Preliminary Examination, Main Examination, and Personality Test (Interview). Each stage is meticulously designed to assess candidates’ intellectual aptitude, decision-making abilities, and understanding of diverse subjects critical to governance and administration.

The Preliminary Examination serves as a screening test with an objective pattern, testing general awareness and analytical skills. The Main Examination is descriptive in nature, emphasizing in-depth knowledge of subjects ranging from Indian Polity, Economy, and History to Odisha’s unique cultural and administrative landscape. It also includes a paper on Ethics to gauge the moral and ethical compass of the aspirants. The final stage, the Personality Test, evaluates communication skills, leadership qualities, and suitability for administrative responsibilities.

This comprehensive scheme ensures the selection of candidates who possess the intellectual depth, ethical grounding, and practical wisdom required to address the dynamic challenges of public service.

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Preliminary Examination:

  • The Examination shall comprise of two compulsory Papers of 200 marks each and each paper shall be of two hours duration.
  • Both the question papers shall be of the objective type (multiple choice questions).
  • The General Studies paper-II of the Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination will be a qualifying paper with minimum qualifying marks fixed at 33%.
  • The question papers other than language and Literature shall be set in English. Candidates must answer the papers in their own handwriting and the facility of Scribe or Reader as the case may be, may be allowed by the Commission to the candidates with disability having physical requirement and functional classification as may be prescribed by the Government from time to time. Besides, compensatory time of twenty minutes per hour wherever applicable shall be permitted to such candidates by the Commission.

Detailed Syllabus for the Preliminary Examination

Paper-I

  • Current events of national and international importance.
  • History of India and Indian National Movement.
  • History of Odisha and Odia Nationalism.
  • Odisha and Indian Geography-Physical, Social, Economic Geography of India and the World.
  • Indian Polity and. Governance-Constitution, Political System, Panchayati Raj,
  • Public Policy, Rights Issues, etc.
  • Economic and Social Development-Sustainable Development, Poverty, Inclusion, Demographics, Social Sector Initiatives, etc.
  • General issues on Environmental ecology, Bio-diversity and Climate Change -that do not require subject specialization.
  • General Science.

Paper-II

  • Comprehension;
  • Interpersonal skills including communication skills;
  • Logical reasoning and analytical ability;
  • Decision making and problem solving;
  • General mental ability;
  • Basic numeracy (numbers and their relations, orders of magnitude, etc.) (Class X level), Data interpretation (charts, graphs, tables, data sufficiency etc. Class X level)

Note- It is mandatory for the candidate to appear in both the Papers of Preliminary Examination for the purpose of evaluation. Therefore a candidate shall be disqualified in case he or she does not appear in both the papers of Preliminary Examination.



Main Examination:

The written examination shall comprise of two parts, i.e., Part-I and Part-II consisting of the following papers:

Part-I QUALIFYING PAPERS :Marks
Paper-I : Odia Language The pattern of questions shall be broadly as follows: Comprehension of given passages.Precis writing.Usage and vocabulary.Short Essays.Translation from English to the Odia Language and vice-versa.250
Paper-II : English Language The pattern of questions shall be broadly as follows: Comprehension of given passages.Précis writing.Usage and vocabulary.Short Essays.250
Part-II: PAPERS TO BE COUNTED FOR MERITMarks
Paper-I : Essay250
Paper-II : General Studies-I (Indian Heritage and Culture, Odisha Heritage and Culture, History and Geography of the World and Society)250
Paper-III : General Studies- I (Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice and Inter-State Relations)250
Paper-IV: General Studies- III (Technology, Economic Development, Bio-diversity, Environment, Security and Disaster Management)250
Paper-V: General Studies-IV (Ethics, Integrity and Aptitude)250
Paper-VI : Optional Subject – Paper-I250
Paper-VII : Optional Subject – Paper-II250
SUB-TOTAL (WRITTEN TEST)1750
Marks
Personality Test250
Marks
GRAND TOTAL2000
Marks

List of Optionals

Candidates may choose any one of the subjects from amongst the list of subjects given below for optional Paper-VI and Paper-VII of the written test:

NOTE:

  • The papers on Odia Language and English (Part-I of Main examination) shall be of Matriculation or equivalent standard and shall be of qualifying nature. The marks obtained in these papers will not be counted for ranking.
  • The aim of the papers on Odia Language and English (Part-I of Main examination) is to test the candidates’ ability to read and understand discursive prose, and to express his ideas clearly and correctly, in Odia and English Language.
  • Evaluation of the papers, namely, ‘Essay’, ‘General Studies’ and Optional Subject of all the candidates shall be done simultaneously along with evaluation of their qualifying papers on ‘Odia’ and ‘English’ language in Part-I, but the papers on Essay, General Studies and Optional Subject of only such candidates shall be taken cognizance who obtain 25% marks in `Odia’ and English language each in part-I as minimum qualifying standards in these qualifying papers.
  • Marks obtained by the candidates for the Paper I-VII in Part-II only shall be counted for merit ranking. However, the Commission may have the discretion to fix qualifying marks in any or all of these papers.
  • The question papers for the examination shall be of conventional (essay) type.
  • Each paper shall be of three hours duration.
  • The question papers (other than Indian language and Literature) shall be set in English.

General instructions (Preliminary as well as Main examination):

  • Candidates must answer the papers in their own handwriting and the facility of Scribe or Reader as the case may be, may be allowed by the Commission to the candidates with disability having physical requirement and functional classification as may be prescribed by the Government from time to time. Besides, compensatory time of twenty minutes per hour wherever applicable shall be permitted to such candidates by the Commission.
  • The Commission shall be competent to fix the qualifying marks in any or all the subjects of the examination.
  • If a candidate’s handwriting is not easily legible, a deduction will be made on this account from the total marks otherwise accruing to him.
  • Marks will not be allotted for mere superficial knowledge.
  • Credit will be given for orderly, effective and exact expression combined with due economy of words in all subjects of the examination.
  • In the question papers, wherever necessary questions involving the Metric system of weights and measures only will be set.
  • Candidates shall use only International form of Indian numerals i.e. 1,2,3,4,5,6, etc. while answering question papers.
  • Candidates will be allowed the use of scientific (Non-programmable type) calculators at the conventional (Essay) type examination of OPSC. Programmable type calculators will, however, not be allowed and the use of such calculators shall tantamount to resorting to unfair means by the candidates. Loaning or interchanging of calculators in the Examination Hall is not permitted.
  • Candidates are not permitted to use calculators for answering objective type papers (Test Booklets). They should not, therefore, bring the same inside the Examination Hall.

Personality Test/ Interview

The candidate shall be interviewed by a Board to be constituted by the OPSC who will have before them a record of his career. He shall be asked questions on matters of general interest. The object of the interview is to assess the personal suitability of the candidate for a career in public service. The test is intended to judge the mental calibre of a candidate, his intellectual qualities as well as social traits and his interest in current affairs. Further some of the qualities like mental alertness, critical powers of assimilation, clear and logical exposition, balance of judgment, variety and depth of interest, ability for social cohesion and leadership, intellectual and moral integrity are to be judged by the said Board.

Conclusion

The journey to cracking the OPSC OAS exam begins with a thorough understanding of its syllabus and structure. By familiarizing yourself with the detailed scheme for both Prelims and Mains, you can strategize your preparation effectively, focus on key topics, and allocate your time wisely. Remember, consistent effort, well-planned studies, and a clear understanding of the syllabus are the keys to success.

Embrace the challenge, stay disciplined, and make the most of the resources available. With the right approach, achieving your goal of becoming an OAS officer is well within reach. Best of luck on your path to success!


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