OPSC OCS 2026 Notification – 314 Group A & B Posts & Complete Exam Guide
The Odisha Public Service Commission (OPSC) has released the official notification for the **Odisha Civil Services (OCS) Examination 2026** inviting applications for **314 Group A & B posts**. This post includes **eligibility, exam pattern, prelims & mains syllabus, personality test details, preparation strategy**, and tips to succeed.
Apply online via the official portal: opsc.gov.in
OPSC OCS 2026 – Overview
Odisha Civil Services Exam is a prestigious state-level recruitment conducted by OPSC to select candidates for administrative and allied services. The 2026 recruitment drive has **314 vacancies** across Group A & B services. These include Odisha Administrative Service, Finance Service, Revenue Service, Taxation & Accounts Service, and other allied positions.
| Recruiting Body | Odisha Public Service Commission (OPSC) |
| Exam Name | Odisha Civil Services (OCS) Examination 2026 |
| Total Vacancies | 314 (Group A & B) |
| Application Start Date | 20‑01‑2026 |
| Last Date to Apply | 27‑02‑2026 |
| Application Mode | Online |
| Official Website | opsc.gov.in |
Eligibility Criteria
- Educational Qualification: Bachelor’s degree from a recognized university in any discipline.
- Nationality: Indian citizen.
- Age Limit: 21–38 years (relaxation as per government norms for SC/ST/OBC/PwD).
OPSC OCS 2026 – Selection Process
The OCS 2026 selection process has **3 main stages**:
- Preliminary Examination (Objective Type – Screening)
- Main Examination (Descriptive – Merit Counted)
- Personality Test / Interview (Final Evaluation)
Preliminary Exam Pattern
The Preliminary exam is only for **screening candidates** to the Mains exam. Marks are not counted for final merit.
| Paper | Subjects | Marks | Time |
| Paper I | General Studies I | 200 | 2 hours |
| Paper II | General Studies II (CSAT) | 200 | 2 hours |
- Paper I Topics: Current affairs, Indian & Odisha history, geography, polity, economy, science, environment.
- Paper II Topics: Comprehension, logical reasoning, decision making, numerical ability, English language comprehension.
Main Exam Pattern
Candidates qualifying prelims appear for Mains. Mains includes **9 papers**; some are qualifying while others count towards merit.
| Paper | Subject | Marks |
| Paper I | Odia Language (Qualifying) | 250 |
| Paper II | English Language (Qualifying) | 250 |
| Paper III | Essay | 250 |
| Paper IV | General Studies I | 250 |
| Paper V | General Studies II | 250 |
| Paper VI | General Studies III | 250 |
| Paper VII | General Studies IV | 250 |
| Paper VIII | Optional Subject I | 250 |
| Paper IX | Optional Subject II | 250 |
Main Exam Syllabus
- Essay: Current issues, governance, ethics, society, economy.
- GS Paper I: History, culture, geography of India & Odisha.
- GS Paper II: Polity, governance, public administration, rights.
- GS Paper III: Economy, environment, disaster management, technology.
- GS Paper IV: Ethics, integrity, aptitude, decision-making.
- Optional Subjects: Engineering, Public Administration, Economics, Political Science, Sociology, Geography, Literature etc.
Personality Test / Interview
After Mains, shortlisted candidates attend the interview. It carries **250 marks** and tests:
- Communication skills
- Decision-making & problem-solving
- Knowledge of current affairs
- Leadership & suitability for civil services
Preparation Strategy
- Revise NCERTs and standard GS books
- Practice past year Prelims & Mains papers
- Regular current affairs reading
- Essay practice for topics like governance, economy, environment
- Choose optional subject wisely and study deeply
- Time management & mock tests for Prelims & Mains
Important Links
| Link | Action |
| Official Notification PDF | Click Here |
| Apply Online | 20‑01‑2026 |
| Official Website | opsc.gov.in |