Odisha Civil Services Examination, 2024: Notification

ODISHA PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION
WEBSITE: https://opsc.gov.in
ADVERTISEMENT NO. 07 OF 2024-25

Odisha Civil Services Examination, 2024

The Odisha Public Service Commission invites online applications from eligible candidates through the Proforma Application Form available on its official website: https://opsc.gov.in.

Important Dates:

Opening Date for Online Registration and Application Submission: 10.01.2025
Closing Date for Online Application Submission: 10.02.2025

(Note: 10.02.2025 is the final date for submission of the registered online application.)

The Odisha Civil Services Preliminary Examination, 2024, is being conducted for the recruitment of candidates to various Posts and Services under Odisha Civil Services (Group-A & Group-B), as per the pay scales mentioned below.

This examination will be held in accordance with the provisions of the Odisha Civil Services (Combined Competitive Recruitment Examination) Rules, 1991, as amended, including the Odisha Civil Services (CCRE) (Third) Amendment Rules, 2022. Relevant sections of these rules are available on the Commission’s website.

Details of Posts/Services and Pay Scales

SI. No.	Name of the Posts/Services	Scale of Pay
GROUP-A
1	Odisha Administrative Service, Group-A (Junior Branch)	₹56,100/- in Level-12, Cell-1 of the Pay Matrix under Rule-3 of ORSP Rules, 2017.
2	Odisha Finance Service, Group-A (Junior Branch)	₹56,100/- in Level-12, Cell-1 of the Pay Matrix under Rule-3 of ORSP Rules, 2017.
GROUP-B
3	Odisha Taxation & Accounts Service, Group-B	₹44,900/- in Level-10, Cell-1 of the Pay Matrix under Rule-3 of ORSP Rules, 2017.
4	Odisha Co-operative Audit Service, Group-B	₹44,900/- in Level-10, Cell-1 of the Pay Matrix under Rule-3 of ORSP Rules, 2017.
5	Odisha Co-operative Service, Group-B	₹44,900/- in Level-10, Cell-1 of the Pay Matrix under Rule-3 of ORSP Rules, 2017.
6	Odisha Revenue Service, Group-B	₹44,900/- in Level-10, Cell-1 of the Pay Matrix under Rule-3 of ORSP Rules, 2017.

Currently, applications are being accepted exclusively online for admission to the OCS Preliminary/Main Written Examination. Following the declaration of the Main Written Examination results, candidates who qualify for the Interview/Personality Test will need to submit a printed/hard copy of their online application form, along with photocopies of the required documents specified in Para-10 of this advertisement. These documents must be presented on the day of document verification for eligibility consideration.

Vacancy Position and Reservation Details

As per the requisition submitted by the General Administration & Public Grievance Department, Government of Odisha, the position of vacancies, along with category/sub-category-wise reservations, is as follows:

Of the total vacancies mentioned above:

15 posts are reserved for Persons with Disabilities (PWD) across the following categories:
- Category-I: 01 post
- Category-II: 06 posts
- Category-III: 01 post
- Category-IV: 07 posts
04 posts are reserved for Ex-Servicemen.
01 post is reserved for Sports Persons.

Candidates from the PWD, Ex-Servicemen, and Sports Persons categories, when selected under the respective reservation provisions, will be adjusted within their primary community category. For example:

A PWD/Ex-Servicemen/Sports Person belonging to Scheduled Caste (SC) will claim the vacancy reserved for SC.
If belonging to Scheduled Tribe (ST), they will claim the ST-reserved vacancy, and so on.

PWD/Ex-Servicemen/Sports Persons who do not belong to any reserved community (SC/ST/SEBC) will claim vacancies under the Unreserved (UR) category.

a) Out of the vacancies mentioned above, 32(02-w) posts are reserved for PWD category (11(01-w)-Category-I, 08(01-w)-Category-II, 05-Category-III & 08-Category-IV).

b) Besides, 09(01-w) posts are reserved for Ex-Servicemen and 04 posts are reserved for Sports persons.

Candidates belonging to PWD, Ex-Servicemen & Sports Persons, when selected as per reservation provided for them, shall be adjusted against the categories to which they belong, which means that the PWD/Ex-Servicemen/Sports Persons, if belonging to Scheduled Caste will claim the vacancy reserved for S.C., if belonging to Scheduled Tribe will claim the vacancy reserved for S.T. and so on. Thus the PWD/Ex-Servicemen/Sports Persons, who do not belong to any of the reserved communities i.e. S.C./S.T./S.E.B.C., would claim the unreserved vacancies.

c) In case of non-availability of eligible/suitable women candidate(s) belonging to the respective category, the unfilled vacancies of that category shall be filled up by eligible & suitable male candidate(s) of the same category.

d) The exchange of reservation between SC & ST will not be considered.

e) The number of vacancies to be filled up on the basis of this recruitment is subject to change by the Government without notice, depending upon the exigencies of public service at the discretion of the State Government.

Eligibility Criteria

(i) Citizenship

The candidate must be a citizen of India.

(ii) Age Limits

The candidate must have attained the age of 21 years and must not exceed 38 years as of January 1, 2023. This means the candidate must have been born between January 2, 1986, and January 1, 2003.
Age Relaxation:
- 5 years for candidates belonging to SC, ST, SEBC, Women, and Ex-Servicemen categories.
- 10 years for Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) with a permanent disability of 40% or more.
- PwDs belonging to SC, ST, or SEBC categories are eligible for cumulative age relaxation benefits.

Important Notes on Age Limits:

Except as provided above, the prescribed age limits cannot be relaxed under any circumstances.
The date of birth mentioned in the High School Certificate or an equivalent certificate issued by the relevant Board/Council will be final and binding.
Once declared, the date of birth cannot be altered for any reason. Any discrepancy discovered later between the declared date of birth and the certificate may lead to rejection of candidature or disqualification from future recruitments.

(iii) Educational Qualification

The candidate must hold a Bachelor’s Degree from:
- A university incorporated by an Act of the Central or State Legislature in India,
- An educational institution established by an Act of Parliament,
- A university deemed under Section 3 of the University Grants Commission Act, 1956, or
- A foreign university approved by the Central Government.

Other Eligibility Conditions

(i) Odia Language Proficiency
The candidate must be able to read, write, and speak Odia, and must satisfy at least one of the following criteria:

(a) Passed the Middle School Examination with Odia as a language subject.
(b) Passed the High School Certificate or an equivalent examination with Odia as the medium of instruction in non-language subjects.
(c) Passed Odia as a language subject in the final examination of Class VII from a school or educational institution recognized by the Government of Odisha or the Central Government.
(d) Passed a test in Odia of Middle English School Standard conducted by the School & Mass Education Department, Government of Odisha.

(ii) Marital Restrictions

A candidate with more than one living spouse, or a woman candidate married to a person with more than one living spouse, is ineligible unless exempted by the State Government for valid and sufficient reasons.

(iii) Government Servants

Both temporary and permanent government servants are eligible to apply, provided they meet the required qualifications and age limits as specified in Para-3 of the advertisement.
Candidates must:
- Obtain a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from their competent authority and attach it to the online application.
- Notify their respective Heads of Departments in writing about their application submission.

(iv) Disqualification due to Debarment

Candidates debarred by the Odisha Public Service Commission (OPSC), other State Public Service Commissions, or UPSC for specific periods or chances are ineligible for recruitment during that time.

(v) Eligibility Deadline

Only candidates who meet the qualifications and eligibility criteria by the closing date of online application submission will be considered.

(vi) Character and Physical Fitness

Candidates must possess good moral character and be of sound mental and physical health, free from any defect that may interfere with the duties of the post.
Candidates failing the prescribed medical examination will not be appointed.

(vii) Name Change

Candidates claiming a name change after passing the High School Certificate or equivalent examination must provide:
- A copy of the publication of the changed name in a leading local newspaper.
- A copy of the notification in the Gazette as proof of the name change.

Plan and Conduct of Examination

The Combined Competitive Recruitment Examination (CCRE) will consist of the following stages:

Preliminary Examination (Objective Type) to select candidates for the Main Examination.
Main Examination (Written and Interview) to select candidates for various services and posts.

Preliminary Examination

The Preliminary Examination will comprise two compulsory objective papers (Multiple Choice Questions), each carrying 200 marks and lasting two hours.
- General Studies – Paper I: 200 marks
- General Studies – Paper II: 200 marks
Key Points:
- Marks obtained in the Preliminary Examination will not be considered for the final merit order.
- Approximately 12 times the number of vacancies will be admitted to the Main Examination.
- To qualify for the Main Examination, candidates must:
  - Score a minimum of 33% marks in General Studies Paper II.
  - Achieve total qualifying marks in General Studies Paper I as determined by the Commission.
Negative Marking:
- For incorrect answers, one-third (0.33) of the marks assigned to the question will be deducted.
- If more than one answer is provided, it will be treated as incorrect, and the same penalty will apply.
- No penalty for unanswered questions.

Main Examination

The Main Examination includes written papers and an interview, carrying a total of 2000 marks, distributed as follows:
- Written Examination: Marks for Essay, General Studies, and Optional Subjects.
- Interview/Personality Test: 250 marks.
Evaluation of Papers:
- The papers for Essay, General Studies, and Optional Subjects will be evaluated along with qualifying language papers in Odia and English (Part-I).
- Candidates must secure at least 25% marks in Odia and English qualifying papers to be considered for further evaluation of their other papers.

Medium of Examination

The medium for answering written papers and appearing in the Personality Test is detailed in Annexure-II.

Additional Details

The complete scheme, subjects, and marks distribution for Preliminary and Main Examinations are provided in Schedule-III of the OCS(CCRE) (Third) Amendment Rules, 2022 (Annexure-IV).
Syllabi for both examinations are appended as Annexure-IV.

Publication of Results

Details such as cut-off marks, answer keys, and individual marks will be published on the Commission’s official website after the final results and select list are announced.

Zone(s) of Examination

The Preliminary and Main Examinations will be conducted at the following five zonal centers in the state:

Balasore
Berhampur
Bhubaneswar
Cuttack
Sambalpur

Key Points:

Candidates must select their preferred examination zone while filling out the online application form.
Although the Commission will strive to allocate candidates to their chosen zone, it reserves the right to assign a different zone if required by circumstances.
Requests for a change of zone will not be entertained.
Candidates are strictly required to appear only at the examination center specified by the Commission.

Number of Attempts

Each candidate eligible to appear for the Civil Services Examination will be permitted a maximum of six (6) attempts.

Exceptions:

Unlimited Attempts for SC/ST Candidates
- There is no restriction on the number of attempts for candidates belonging to Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST).
Nine (9) Attempts for SEBC Candidates
- Socially and Educationally Backward Classes (SEBC) candidates, eligible for reservation, are permitted up to nine (9) attempts.

Notes:

An attempt at the Preliminary Examination will be considered as an attempt for the Civil Services Examination.
If a candidate appears for any paper of the Preliminary Examination, it will count as an attempt.

Important Points

Applicability of Odisha Conduct of Examinations Act, 1988:
- The provisions of the Odisha Conduct of Examinations Act, 1988 (Odisha Act-2 of 1988) are applicable to both Preliminary and Main Examinations conducted by the Odisha Public Service Commission (OPSC).
- Any violation of the Act or the “Instructions to Candidates” provided in the advertisement, application form, brochure, admission certificate, answer scripts, etc., will be treated seriously, and disciplinary action will be taken as deemed appropriate.
Reservation and Concessions:
(a) Reservations and concessions for SEBC, SC, and ST categories are applicable only to individuals belonging to the respective communities by birth in Odisha.
(b) The caste/community status declared in the online application form will be treated as final and cannot be changed under any circumstances.
Malpractices and Misconduct:
- Candidates indulging in malpractices such as offering illegal gratification, applying undue pressure, or engaging in any misconduct during the recruitment process will face disqualification.
- Such candidates may also be permanently or temporarily debarred from future examinations conducted by the Commission and may face criminal prosecution.
Non-binding Advertisement:
- This advertisement should not be construed as a binding obligation for the Government to make appointments.
Misrepresentation or Suppression of Information:
- Any misrepresentation or suppression of information in the online application will result in the cancellation of the candidate’s application, or penalties as deemed appropriate by the Commission.
No Automatic Right to Appointment:
- Inclusion in the select list does not guarantee appointment. The Government reserves the right to make inquiries about the candidate’s suitability before appointment.
No Withdrawal or Change of Category:
- Requests for withdrawal of candidature or changes to the category will not be entertained under any circumstances.
Handwritten Answers:
- Candidates must write the examination in their own handwriting.
- PWD candidates who cannot write may opt for a scribe by selecting the option during the online application, as per the provisions outlined in SSEPD Department Resolution No. 1843/SSEPD, dated 25.02.2021.
Pension Scheme for Appointees:
- Individuals appointed to government service in Odisha on or after January 1, 2005, are not eligible for a pension under the Odisha Civil Services (Pension) Rules, 1992. Instead, they will be covered under the Defined Contributory Pension Scheme, as per the Odisha Civil Services (Pension) Amendment Rules, 2005.
Evaluation Methodology:
- The Commission reserves the right to determine the methods and principles for evaluating answer scripts for both the Preliminary and Main Examinations.
Physical Standard Test for Odisha Police Service Candidates:
- Candidates who opt for the Odisha Police Service must undergo a Physical Standard Test as per Home Department Notification No. 29452/SPS, dated 04.07.2011 (Annexure-III).
Incomplete Applications:
- Online applications found incomplete in any respect are liable to rejection. The Commission will not entertain correspondence regarding such rejections.
Provisional Admission:
- Admission to the examination or viva voce will be provisional. If, at any stage (before or after the examination), it is found that a candidate does not fulfill all eligibility conditions, their candidature will be rejected. The Commission’s decision regarding eligibility will be final.
Document Verification:
- Candidates must bring copies of certificates and requisite documents as specified under Para-9 of the advertisement during document verification.

Certificates/Documents to be Submitted

Candidates who qualify for the Main Written Examination and are called for document verification must be prepared to submit the hard copy of the Online Application Form along with self-attested copies of the following documents. Each document must include the statement “submitted by me” with the candidate’s full signature and date. Original certificates must not be attached to the application form; they will only be required on the day of Personality Test/Interview. Candidates failing to produce original certificates during verification will not be allowed to proceed.

Failure to furnish any of the original certificates or required documents for verification on the specified date will result in cancellation of candidature.

Documents to be Submitted:

(a) H.S.C. or Equivalent Certificate: Issued by the concerned Board/Council to support the declaration of age.
(b) Bachelor’s Degree Certificate: Issued by the concerned University.
(c) Certificates of Higher Qualifications (if applicable): Issued by the relevant University/Institution.
(d) Caste Certificate by Birth: Supporting claims as SC/ST/SEBC, where applicable (refer to Note 1 under Para-09).
(e) Odia Test Pass Certificate: Issued by the competent authority, if applicable (refer to Note 2 under Para-09).
(f) Ex-Servicemen Documents:

Release Certificate as per the Orissa Ex-Servicemen (Recruitment to State Civil Services and Posts) Rules, 1985.
Affidavit stating no appointment to a civil post after retirement from military service.
(g) Permanent Disability Certificate: Indicating disability of 40% or more, issued by the relevant Medical Board (if applicable).
(h) Sports Certificate and Identity Card: Issued by the Director of Sports, Odisha (if applicable).
(i) Equivalence Certificate: If claiming a qualification equivalent to the prescribed one, provide documentation supporting such equivalence, including relevant rules/authorities.
(j) Certificate of Good Character: Issued by the Principal, Proctor, Dean, or Professor of the institution last attended.
(k) Four Recent Passport-Size Photographs: These must be the same as uploaded with the online application form, unsigned and unattested.
(l) No Objection Certificate (NOC): Issued by the competent authority for Government servants.

Important Notes:

Caste Certificates:
- Candidates claiming SC/ST/SEBC status must submit a valid caste certificate issued by the competent authority as mentioned in their online application.
- SEBC Candidates: SEBC certificates must be issued within three years of the closing date of the online application. Certificates older than this are liable for rejection.
- Women candidates claiming SC/ST/SEBC status must provide certificates issued by birth (e.g., “daughter of”). Certificates issued by virtue of marriage (e.g., “wife of”) will not be accepted.
OBC Certificates:
- OBC certificates are not acceptable in lieu of SEBC certificates and will result in rejection.
Validity of Certificates:
- All certificates, including Degree Certificates, Caste Certificates, Odia Test Pass Certificates, Identity Cards, Permanent Disability Certificates, and Ex-Servicemen Release Certificates, must be issued by competent authorities on or before the closing date for submission of the online application form.

Grounds for Rejection of Applications

Candidates’ applications may be rejected on any of the following grounds:

(a) Incomplete online application form.
(b) Lack of the candidate’s full signature on the hard copy of the online application form.
(c) Candidate’s age not meeting the requirements specified in Para-3(ii) of the Advertisement (overage relaxation is not permitted for PWD candidates with less than 40% disability).
(d) Failure to meet the required educational qualifications as outlined in Para-3(iii) of the Advertisement.
(e) Not providing copies of the necessary certificates/documents as detailed in Para-09 of the Advertisement.
(f) Not passing the Odia Test (Middle English standard) or failing to provide evidence of passing the Odia Test, as required under Para-4(i) of the Advertisement.
(g) Submission of incorrect or false information regarding qualifications, age, Odia Test pass evidence, or category status (e.g., SC/ST/SEBC/PWD/Sports Person/Ex-Servicemen/Women).
(h) Submission of ineligible applications that violate the provisions related to the number of attempts, as specified in Para-7 of the Advertisement.
(i) Suppression of facts or information regarding eligibility, if applicable.
(j) Any other grounds as determined by the Commission.
(k) Applications found to be incomplete at any stage of the process will be rejected.
(l) Failure to provide any of the original certificates and documents for verification on the date specified by the Commission.
(m) Applications submitted through any method other than online via the designated application form available on the OPSC website.
(n) Non-submission of the equivalence certificate issued by the relevant University/Board.

Note: A candidate’s application or candidature may be rejected at any stage of the recruitment process if any discrepancies are noticed or detected.

How to Apply

(a) Candidates must review the details of this advertisement available on the OPSC website before filling out the online application form.
(b) Applications must be submitted online through the OPSC website at http://opsc.gov.in. Applications submitted through any other means will not be accepted and will be summarily rejected.
(c) The online application form is automated and system-driven, guiding candidates through the application process. Candidates should ensure that they provide accurate information, as the options available and the information requested will depend on the data entered. The edit option is limited, and once confirmed, further edits will not be permitted, even in cases of incorrect entries. No representations regarding this will be entertained.
(d) Candidates are required to upload a scanned image of their latest passport-sized photograph, a scanned image of their full signature, and a scanned image of their Left Hand Thumb Impression (LTI) in the online application form. All uploaded images must be clearly identifiable and visible; otherwise, the application may be rejected by the Commission without recourse for appeal.
(e) Candidates should keep at least four copies of the latest passport-sized photograph that they uploaded in the online application for future use.
(f) Upon successful submission of the online application form, candidates will receive a unique “Permanent Public Service Account Number (PPSAN).” They should print the final submitted online registration/re-registration and application forms, signing under the declaration for submission to OPSC along with copies of the requisite certificates and documents as requested.
(g) Candidates are advised to submit their online application forms well in advance of the closing date to avoid last-minute issues.
(h) Admission certificates for eligible candidates for the OCS Preliminary and Main Written Examination will be uploaded on the OPSC website before the examination date. The date and schedule of the Written Examination or interview will be published on the OPSC website and in local newspapers. Candidates must download their admission certificates and instructions from the website, as no separate correspondence will be made regarding this.
(i) Any complaints regarding the conduct of the examination must be directed to the Grievance Wing of the Commission via email at opsc@nic.in within seven days of the examination’s completion.

Facilitation Counter and Website for Candidate Guidance

For technical assistance with filling out the online registration and application forms, candidates can contact OPSC technical support at telephone number 0671-2304707 during Odisha Government working days, between 10:30 A.M. to 1:30 P.M. and 2:00 P.M. to 5:00 P.M.

For guidance or information regarding this advertisement and the recruitment process, candidates can refer to Para-11 of this advertisement or consult the FAQ section on the Commission’s website. Additionally, candidates may reach out to the O.P.S.C. Facilitation Counter at telephone numbers 0671-2304141 or 2305611, extension 218, on any Odisha Government working day from 10:30 A.M. to 1:30 P.M. and 2:00 P.M. to 5:30 P.M.

Candidates are encouraged to visit the Commission’s website at http://opsc.gov.in for detailed information on important notices, application rejections, examination/interview dates and times, and to stay updated on various notices published in leading local newspapers.

Odisha Civil Services Examination, 2024: Notification, Eligibility & Details