The Odisha Public Service Commission (OPSC) has released the Odisha Civil Services (OCS) Examination 2026 notification inviting applications for a total of 314 Group A and Group B posts in state administrative services. Interested and eligible candidates can apply online through the official website opsc.gov.in once the application window opens. The OCS exam is conducted annually to recruit candidates for a range of roles across key departments of the Odisha state government, including administrative, police, taxation, labour and cooperative services.
OPSC OCS 2026 Vacancy Details and Important Dates
The commission has published the detailed vacancy list for the OCS 2026 recruitment cycle. A significant proportion of positions are reserved for female candidates. Key Dates for OPSC OCS 2026:
- Notification Release Date: 31 December 2025
- Application Start Date: 20 January 2026
- Application Last Date: 20 February 2026
- Final Application Submission: 27 February 2026
- Preliminary Exam Date: 07 June 2026 (Sunday)
- Main Exam Date: To be announced later
Candidates are advised to complete the online application process before the given deadlines to avoid last-minute issues. Detailed instructions, application fee information and syllabus details will be available in the official notification PDF on opsc.gov.in.
Post and Services Covered Under OPSC OCS 2026
The Odisha Civil Services Examination aims to fill various prestigious administrative and allied service positions, including but not limited to:
- Odisha Administrative Service (OAS)
- Odisha Police Service (OPS)
- Odisha Finance Service (OFS)
- Odisha Taxation and Accounts Service
- Odisha Cooperative Service
- Odisha Labour Service
- Odisha Excise Service
- Odisha Tourism Service
- Other allied state services
Out of the total 314 vacancies, 104 posts are earmarked for women candidates, reflecting the commission’s emphasis on gender representation in state services.
Eligibility Criteria for OPSC OCS 2026
To be eligible for the Odisha Civil Services Examination 2026, candidates must fulfil the following conditions:
- Educational Qualification: A Bachelor’s degree in any discipline from a recognised university.
- Age Limit: Generally between 21 and 38 years as on the specified cut-off date; age relaxation applies for reserved categories according to government norms.
- Language Proficiency: Candidates must be proficient in Odia language, including the ability to read, write and speak it.
Application Fees and Refund Policy
The application fee for OPSC OCS 2026 is INR 700 for candidates other than SC, ST and PwD categories, who are exempted from payment. Candidates who appear in both papers of the Preliminary Examination and meet eligibility conditions will be eligible for refund of the application fee after completion of the preliminary stage.
Selection Process
The OPSC OCS selection process consists of three stages:
- Preliminary Examination – Objective-type screening test.
- Main Examination – Descriptive written exam covering General Studies and optional subjects.
- Personality Test (Interview) – Final stage for merit ranking and appointment.
Candidates who meet the eligibility criteria and successfully clear all phases of the selection process will be considered for appointment to the respective services under the Government of Odisha. Applicants are advised to carefully read the official OPSC OCS 2026 notification on opsc.gov.in before applying to ensure compliance with all requirements and to track further updates on exam dates and procedures.
