OPSC OCS 2025
Mains: 29 Oct – 7 Nov 2026
Admit Card Out
OPSC OCS Mains 2025 Exam Date and Timetable: Paper-wise Schedule, Admit Card and Exam-day Tips
The Odisha Civil Services Main (Written) Examination 2025 runs from 29 October to 7 November 2026. OPSC released the admission certificates on 22 October 2026.
MAINS DATES
29 Oct – 7 Nov 2026
ADMIT CARD
Released 22 Oct 2026
CANDIDATES
5,690 qualified Prelims
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Quick Answer
The OPSC OCS Mains 2025 is being held from 29 October to 7 November 2026 on five exam days: Odia and English on 29 October, Essay on 30 October, GS I and II on 2 November, GS III and IV on 4 November, and the two Optional papers on 7 November. Each paper is 3 hours (9 AM–12 noon or 2 PM–5 PM). OPSC released the admission certificates on 22 October 2026 on opsc.gov.in. The exam is for 465 posts under Advt. No. 05 of 2025-26.
Last updated: 26 October 2026 · Official source: opsc.gov.in. OPSC dates and rules can change through corrigenda; always confirm on the official website.
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OCS Mains 2025: Paper-wise Timetable
| Date | Session and time | Paper | Marks |
|---|---|---|---|
| 29 Oct 2026 (Thu) | Forenoon, 9 AM – 12 noon | Odia Language (qualifying) | 250 |
| 29 Oct 2026 (Thu) | Afternoon, 2 PM – 5 PM | English Language (qualifying) | 250 |
| 30 Oct 2026 (Fri) | Forenoon, 9 AM – 12 noon | Essay | 250 |
| 2 Nov 2026 (Mon) | Forenoon, 9 AM – 12 noon | General Studies I | 250 |
| 2 Nov 2026 (Mon) | Afternoon, 2 PM – 5 PM | General Studies II | 250 |
| 4 Nov 2026 (Wed) | Forenoon, 9 AM – 12 noon | General Studies III | 250 |
| 4 Nov 2026 (Wed) | Afternoon, 2 PM – 5 PM | General Studies IV (Ethics) | 250 |
| 7 Nov 2026 (Sat) | Forenoon, 9 AM – 12 noon | Optional Paper I | 250 |
| 7 Nov 2026 (Sat) | Afternoon, 2 PM – 5 PM | Optional Paper II | 250 |
Note: Reports of the 29 October schedule differ on whether the English paper is in the afternoon session. Check the exact session printed on your admission certificate.
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OCS Mains 2025 Admit Card
- Released: 22 October 2026, with instructions for the Main Written Examination, on opsc.gov.in.
- How to download: Open the OCS 2025 (Advt. No. 05 of 2025-26) admission certificate link on the OPSC website and log in with your registration details.
- Subject codes: OPSC issued a notice on subject codes for the Main exam on 13 October 2026. Make sure your optional subject code is correct on the admit card.
- Check carefully: Name, photo, roll number, centre and the paper schedule. Report any mistake to OPSC at once.
- Keep copies: Take two printouts; you need the admission certificate for every paper.
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Exam-day Checklist
- Documents: Admission certificate and the original photo ID named on it.
- Reporting: Reach well before the reporting time printed on the admission certificate; late entry is not allowed.
- Stationery: Pens as permitted in the instructions. Electronic devices, including phones and smart watches, are not allowed.
- PwD candidates: Compensatory time and scribe facilities apply as per OPSC rules and your admission certificate.
- Answer booklets: Write your roll number only where indicated; any identifying mark can lead to cancellation.
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Mains Pattern: What Counts for Merit
| Part | Papers | Marks | Counts for merit? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Part I | Odia and English (Matriculation standard) | 250 each | No; 25% needed in each |
| Part II | Essay, GS I–IV, Optional I and II | 7 × 250 = 1,750 | Yes |
| Interview | Personality Test | 250 | Yes |
| Final merit | 2,000 |
Do not take the language papers lightly: Part II answer books are evaluated only if you score at least 25% in both Odia and English. Revise translation and précis the night before.
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How to Use the Gaps Between Papers
- Before 30 October (Essay): Revise two or three essay frameworks, Odisha examples and quotes rather than reading new material.
- 31 Oct – 1 Nov (before GS I and II): Odisha history (Kharavela to the Praja Mandal movement), art and culture, Odisha geography, Odisha Lokayukta and Right to Public Services Act, PRIs in Odisha.
- 3 November (before GS III and IV): Odisha Budget and Economic Survey figures, industrialisation, disaster management, Left-wing extremism, and two or three ethics case-study formats.
- 5–6 November (before the Optional): Revise your short notes and diagrams only.
- Practise with past papers: Our OPSC OAS Mains previous year papers and 99 model answers show how OPSC frames Odisha questions.
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What Happens After the Mains
- Mains result: Expected around late January 2027, going by the last cycle. Track it on our OPSC OCS Mains Result 2025 page.
- Interview: About twice the number of vacancies are called for the 250-mark Personality Test at OPSC, Cuttack.
- Final result: Based on 2,000 marks (Mains 1,750 + Interview 250).
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Frequently Asked Questions
When is the OPSC OCS Mains 2025 exam?
From 29 October to 7 November 2026, on 29 and 30 October and 2, 4 and 7 November.
Has the OPSC OCS Mains admit card been released?
Yes. OPSC released the admission certificates for the Main Written Examination on 22 October 2026 on opsc.gov.in.
How many papers are there in the OCS Mains?
Nine: two qualifying language papers (Odia and English) and seven merit papers (Essay, GS I–IV and two Optional papers), each of 250 marks and 3 hours.
What is the qualifying mark in the Odia and English papers?
At least 25% in each. The merit papers are evaluated only if you clear both.
How many candidates are writing the OCS Mains 2025?
Up to 5,690 candidates qualified in the Prelims result of 10 July 2026, for 465 posts.
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Related Resources on Strive Edge IAS
- After the exam: OPSC OCS Mains Result 2025
- OCS essentials: OPSC OCS Syllabus, OPSC OCS Notification 2026 and OPSC OCS Mains Result 2025
- Practice: 597 solved OPSC Prelims PYQs and OPSC OAS Mains previous year papers with model answers
- Odisha focus: Odisha current affairs and the OCS exam strategy guide
- Classroom and online coaching: Strive Edge IAS, Bhubaneswar
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Source: Odisha Public Service Commission (opsc.gov.in) notices and the OCS 2025 advertisement (Advt. No. 05 of 2025-26). Compiled by the Strive Edge IAS editorial team, Bhubaneswar.
