OPSC OAS Mains 2025 Question Papers (OCS Mains): PDF Download, Questions, Answers and Analysis
Quick Answer
Last updated: 31 October 2026 · Official source: opsc.gov.in. Dates are from OPSC Notice No. 5984/PSC dated 26 October 2026.
OCS Mains 2025 Question Papers: Paper-wise Status
| Date and session | Paper | Status | Links |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sat, 31 Oct 2026 Forenoon | Odia Language (qualifying) | Paper added | Questions · PDF |
| Sat, 31 Oct 2026 Afternoon | English Language (qualifying) | Paper added | Questions · PDF |
| Mon, 2 Nov 2026 Forenoon | General Studies I | After the exam | — |
| Mon, 2 Nov 2026 Afternoon | General Studies II | After the exam | — |
| Wed, 4 Nov 2026 Forenoon | General Studies III | After the exam | — |
| Wed, 4 Nov 2026 Afternoon | General Studies IV (Ethics) | After the exam | — |
| Thu, 5 Nov 2026 Forenoon | Essay | After the exam | — |
| Sat, 7 Nov 2026 Forenoon | Optional Paper I | After the exam | — |
| Sat, 7 Nov 2026 Afternoon | Optional Paper II | After the exam | — |
Forenoon papers run from 9 AM to 12 noon and afternoon papers from 2 PM to 5 PM. Each paper carries 250 marks. Full schedule and exam-day rules: OCS Mains 2025 timetable.
OCS Mains 2025 Odia Language Paper (31 October 2026)
Paper code: 1XH7N/335 · Time: 3 hours · Full marks: 250 · Instruction: answer all questions (ସମସ୍ତ ପ୍ରଶ୍ନ ବାଧ୍ୟତାମୂଳକ). Qualifying paper: at least 25% is required.
| Q. | Type of question | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Essay (ପ୍ରବନ୍ଧ) of about 900 words on one of four topics | 80 |
| 2 | Meaning and use of homophones (ସମୋଚ୍ଚାରିତ ଶବ୍ଦ), any five of seven | 2 × 5 = 10 |
| 3 | Explain proverbs (ବିଶେଷୋକ୍ତି), any two of five, about 100 words each | 10 × 2 = 20 |
| 4 | Use idioms (ରଢ଼ି) in sentences, any five of seven | 2 × 5 = 10 |
| 5 | One-word substitution (ଏକ ପଦରେ ପ୍ରକାଶ), any five of seven | 2 × 5 = 10 |
| 6 | Form compounds (ସମାସ) from the given expansion, any five of seven | 2 × 5 = 10 |
| 7 | Antonyms (ବିପରୀତାର୍ଥ ଶବ୍ଦ) with sentences, any five of seven | 2 × 5 = 10 |
| 8 | Sandhi split (ସନ୍ଧି ବିଚ୍ଛେଦ), any five of seven | 2 × 5 = 10 |
| 9 | Comprehension: passage on Kharavela and the Hatigumpha inscription | 5 × 5 = 25 |
| 10 | Translation, English to Odia: passage on the Paikas of Odisha | 20 |
| 11 | Translation, Odia to English: passage on autobiography in world literature | 25 |
| 12 | Précis (ସାରାଂଶ) in about one-third of the length: passage on the Adivasis of Odisha | 20 |
| Total | 250 | |
Q1. Essay topics (ପ୍ରବନ୍ଧ), any one, about 900 words, 80 marks
| Topic in Odia | English meaning |
|---|---|
| (କ) ସାହିତ୍ୟ ଓ ଜୀବନ | Literature and Life |
| (ଖ) ଚଷା ଲକ୍ଷେ ଜୀବ ପୋଷା : ପ୍ରଚାର ଓ ବାସ୍ତବତା | “The farmer feeds a lakh lives”: Propaganda and Reality |
| (ଗ) ଜାତି ଭେଦ ଓ ସାମାଜିକ ନ୍ୟାୟ | Caste Discrimination and Social Justice |
| (ଘ) ଭ୍ରଷ୍ଟ ପ୍ରଶାସକ ଏକ ସାମାଜିକ ବିପଦ | A Corrupt Administrator Is a Social Menace |
Q2. Homophones (ସମୋଚ୍ଚାରିତ ଶବ୍ଦ), any five
(କ) ସାପ – ଶାପ · (ଖ) ଗୁଣୀ – ଗୁଣି · (ଗ) ଚୁଡ଼ା – ଚୂଡ଼ା · (ଘ) ସୂତା – ସୁତା · (ଙ) ଶ୍ରୁତି – ସ୍ମୃତି · (ଚ) ଜୀବ – ଯିବ · (ଛ) ଦିନ – ଦୀନ
Q3. Proverbs (ବିଶେଷୋକ୍ତି), explain any two in about 100 words each
- (କ) ହାତ ଅଳସେ ନିଶ ବଙ୍କା
- (ଖ) ଢିଙ୍କି ସ୍ୱର୍ଗକୁ ଗଲେ ବି ଧାନକୁଟେ
- (ଗ) ମୁଦି ନାହିଁ ଗୋଡ଼ କଚାଡୁ କେତେ
- (ଘ) ତାତିଲା ପାଣିରେ ଘର ପୋଡ଼େ ନାଁ
- (ଙ) ଫଳନ୍ତି ଗଛ ଫୋପଡ଼ ସହେ
Q4. Idioms (ରଢ଼ି), use any five in sentences
(କ) କଂସାରି ଘରର ପାରା · (ଖ) ପେଟେ ଭୋକ ମୁହେଁ ଲାଜ · (ଗ) ଆତୁରେ ନିୟମ ନାସ୍ତି · (ଘ) ଦଇବ ଦଉଡ଼ି ମଣିଷ ଗାଇ · (ଙ) ଉଧାର ସେରକ ପାଞ୍ଚ ପା · (ଚ) ବାଘ ଘରେ ମିରିଗ ନାଟ · (ଛ) ଗୋଠ ଖଣ୍ଡିଆ
Q5. One-word substitution (ଏକ ପଦରେ ପ୍ରକାଶ), any five
(କ) ଯେ ଗୁଣ ଗ୍ରହଣ କରିପାରେ · (ଖ) ଯେଉଁମାନେ ଆଫ୍ରିକାରେ ବାସ କରନ୍ତି · (ଗ) ସହିଷ୍ଣୁତାର ଅଭାବ · (ଘ) ହିମ ଆଟେ ଅଦ୍ରି · (ଙ) ଯେଉଁଠି ଶବ୍ଦ ନାହିଁ · (ଚ) ପାଞ୍ଚାଳ ଦେଶର କନ୍ୟା · (ଛ) ବିଶେଷ ଜ୍ଞାନ ଅଛି ଯାହାର
Q6. Compounds (ସମାସ), write the compound word for any five
(କ) ଦଶଶିର ଯାହାର ସେ · (ଖ) ସେବା କରେ ଯେ ସେ · (ଗ) ତିନୋଟି ଫଳର ସମାହାର · (ଘ) ଚନ୍ଦ୍ର ପରି ମୁଖ · (ଙ) ଯେ ସାଧାରଣ ନୁହଁନ୍ତି · (ଚ) ବୁଦ୍ଧି ଅଛି ଯାହାର · (ଛ) ନଈରୁ ଧରାହୋଇଥିବା ମାଛ
Q7. Antonyms (ବିପରୀତାର୍ଥ ଶବ୍ଦ), any five, with sentences
(କ) ଶୁଭ · (ଖ) ଶୀତଳ · (ଗ) ଜୀବନ · (ଘ) ଦୀର୍ଘ · (ଙ) ହର୍ଷ · (ଚ) ପ୍ରାକୃତିକ · (ଛ) ସମ୍ପଦ
Q8. Sandhi split (ସନ୍ଧି ବିଚ୍ଛେଦ), any five
(କ) ସାମାଜିକ · (ଖ) ଜଗଦୀଶ୍ୱର · (ଗ) ପୁନର୍ଜୀବନ · (ଘ) ବିକ୍ଷୋଦ୍ଗାର · (ଙ) ଗବେଷଣା · (ଚ) କ୍ରୋଧାନ୍ଧ · (ଛ) ସହାନୁଭୂତି
Q9. Comprehension: Kharavela and the Hatigumpha inscription (5 × 5 = 25)
The passage describes how the Hatigumpha inscription presents Kharavela as a great patron of Jainism: the caves excavated on Kumari hill (Udayagiri) for Svetambara Jains and Yapaniya Digambara arhats, the rest house built at the request of his second queen Sinhapatha, his gifts to Brahmins, and his tolerant religious policy. Questions:
| Question in Odia | English meaning |
|---|---|
| (କ) କିଏ ଧର୍ମଚକ୍ର ପ୍ରବର୍ତ୍ତନ କରିଥିଲେ? | Who set the wheel of Dharma in motion? |
| (ଖ) ଯାପାନୀୟକ ଅର୍ହତମାନଙ୍କର ଖାଦ୍ୟ ଓ ପୋଷାକ କି ଭଳି ଥିଲା? | What were the food and dress of the Yapaniya arhats like? |
| (ଗ) ଖାରବେଳ କେଉଁମାନଙ୍କ ପାଇଁ ଭବ୍ୟ ବିଶ୍ରାମାଗାର ନିର୍ମାଣ କରାଇଥିଲେ? | For whom did Kharavela build the grand rest house? |
| (ଘ) ଖାରବେଳଙ୍କ ଉଦାର ଧର୍ମନୀତି କି ଭଳି ଥିଲା? | What was Kharavela’s liberal religious policy like? |
| (ଙ) ଭାରତ ଧାର୍ମିକ ଓ ସାଂସ୍କୃତିକ ବିକାଶରେ ଖାରବେଳଙ୍କର କିପରି ଅବଦାନ ଥିଲା? | What was Kharavela’s contribution to India’s religious and cultural development? |
Q10. Translate into Odia (20 marks)
An English passage on the Paikas of Odisha: the origin of the word “Paika” from the Sanskrit Padatika (infantry), the Paika militia of the Ganga and Gajapati rulers, land grants instead of regular pay, the Dala Behera (group commander), and the Paika Akhada tradition of village gymnasiums and sword-and-shield dance.
Q11. Translate into English (25 marks)
An Odia passage on autobiography (ଆତ୍ମଜୀବନୀ) in world literature: how it differs from a chronological history, and how it reflects the writer’s society, politics, religion, culture and self-assessment.
Q12. Précis in about one-third of the length (20 marks)
An Odia passage on the evolution of the Adivasis of Odisha: from nomadic hunter-gatherers in the hills and forests to pastoral and agricultural life, podu (shifting) cultivation, settled hill villages, and their close bond with nature, song and dance.
The Odia text above is typed from the question paper. If anything differs, the PDF is the authoritative version.
OCS Mains 2025 English Language Paper (31 October 2026)
Paper code: 2XH7N/336 · Time: 3 hours · Full marks: 250 · Instruction: answer all questions. Qualifying paper: at least 25% is required.
| Q. | Type of question | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Essay of about 1,000 words (one of five topics) | 80 |
| 2 | Sentences showing the difference between word pairs (homophones) | 4 × 5 = 20 |
| 3 | Direct to indirect speech | 2 × 5 = 10 |
| 4 | Sentences with idioms | 2 × 5 = 10 |
| 5 | Correction of sentences | 2 × 5 = 10 |
| 6 | Antonyms | 2 × 5 = 10 |
| 7 | Transformation of sentences | 2 × 5 = 10 |
| 8 | Fill in the missing words (binomial phrases) | 2 × 5 = 10 |
| 9 | Précis with a title (passage on India’s constitutional democracy) | 45 |
| 10 | Reading comprehension (extract from Oliver Twist) | 9 × 5 = 45 |
| Total | 250 | |
Q1. Essay topics (any one, about 1,000 words, 80 marks)
- (a) Indian Democracy: Challenges and Opportunities
- (b) Environment and Sustainable Development
- (c) Science, Technology, Ethics for a Futuristic India
- (d) Education, Human Resources and National Development
- (e) “A Society Is Judged by How It Treats Its Weakest Members”
Q2. Word pairs (4 × 5 = 20), with suggested sentences
| Pair | Suggested sentences |
|---|---|
| (a) Coarse / Course | The handloom fabric felt coarse to the touch. · She has joined a course in public administration. |
| (b) Fair / Fare | The election was declared free and fair. · The bus fare from Cuttack to Puri has gone up. |
| (c) Heal / Heel | The wound took three weeks to heal. · He hurt his heel while running. |
| (d) Pail / Pale | She carried a pail of water from the well. · He turned pale when he heard the news. |
| (e) Stair / Stare | He slipped on the last stair. · It is rude to stare at strangers. |
Q3. Indirect speech (2 × 5 = 10), with answers
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| (a) “Please don’t tell anybody what happened”, Rani said to me. | Rani requested me not to tell anybody what had happened. |
| (b) Amit said to me, “I had an accident yesterday.” | Amit told me that he had had an accident the previous day. |
| (c) The police officer said to them, “Where are you going?” | The police officer asked them where they were going. |
| (d) The interviewer said to Sanju, “Why did you apply for the job?” | The interviewer asked Sanju why he had applied for the job. |
| (e) Rahul said, “Let’s go to a movie.” | Rahul suggested that they should go to a movie. |
Q4. Idioms (2 × 5 = 10), with suggested sentences
| Idiom | Meaning | Suggested sentence |
|---|---|---|
| (a) Burn the midnight oil | Work late into the night | Most aspirants burn the midnight oil in the weeks before the Mains. |
| (b) Call a spade a spade | Speak frankly | A good officer calls a spade a spade, even in front of seniors. |
| (c) Leave no stone unturned | Make every possible effort | The police left no stone unturned to trace the missing child. |
| (d) Throw in the towel | Give up | After two failures, she refused to throw in the towel. |
| (e) Close in on | Come nearer to; surround | The rescue boats closed in on the stranded fishermen before dusk. |
Q5. Correct the sentences (2 × 5 = 10), with answers
| Incorrect | Correct |
|---|---|
| (a) I can’t think of anybody whom to invite. | I can’t think of anybody to invite. |
| (b) Ravi’s father, whom we hope will be out of hospital soon, is cheerful. | Ravi’s father, who we hope will be out of hospital soon, is cheerful. |
| (c) Raju can never return back to his country. | Raju can never return to his country. |
| (d) It’s ages since we have met. | It’s ages since we met. / It has been ages since we last met. |
| (e) Except for your help, I would have failed. | But for your help, I would have failed. |
Q6. Antonyms (2 × 5 = 10), with answers
| Word | Antonym |
|---|---|
| (a) Abundant | Scarce |
| (b) Benevolent | Malevolent |
| (c) Diligent | Lazy / negligent |
| (d) Humble | Arrogant / proud |
| (e) Vigorous | Feeble / weak |
Q7. Transformation of sentences (2 × 5 = 10), with answers
| Question (instruction) | Answer |
|---|---|
| (a) They have very little money. They are happy. (Use ‘in spite of’) | In spite of having very little money, they are happy. |
| (b) There was a possibility that Sachin would phone. So, I didn’t go out. (Use ‘in case’) | I didn’t go out in case Sachin phoned. |
| (c) Ritu finished her homework, and she went to bed. (Simple sentence) | Having finished her homework, Ritu went to bed. |
| (d) They should have offered Sunil the job. (Passive voice) | Sunil should have been offered the job. |
| (e) Virat is the best player in the team. (Comparative degree) | Virat is better than any other player in the team. |
Q8. Supply the missing words (2 × 5 = 10), with answers
| Sentence | Answer |
|---|---|
| (a) The landlord deducted a small amount from the security deposit for normal wear and ___ of the apartment. | tear |
| (b) Such opportunities come once in a blue ___, so make the most of them. | moon |
| (c) Criticism is part and ___ of working in public service. | parcel |
| (d) The union leaders consulted the rank and ___ before accepting the company’s offer. | file |
| (e) After years of trial and ___, the scientists finally developed an effective vaccine. | error |
Q9. Précis (45 marks)
The passage (about 550 words, six paragraphs) is on India’s constitutional democracy: the interaction of institutions, citizens and democratic values; separation of powers; federalism, linguistic reorganisation of States and judicial review; the effect of social media on public debate; growth versus social justice; and public trust as the basis of democratic success. Read the full passage in the PDF.
Model précis (about 180 words): India’s constitutional democracy rests not only on written laws but on the continuous interaction of institutions, citizens and democratic values. The Constitution balances unity with diversity, liberty with equality and individual rights with collective welfare, and divides power among organs and levels of government to prevent its concentration. Federalism, linguistic reorganisation of States, independent constitutional bodies and judicial review help accommodate India’s diversity, but they work only with informed participation, accountability and respect for the rule of law. Elections are only one part of democracy; transparency, responsible public discourse and civil liberties matter equally. Technology and social media have widened access to information but have also spread misinformation and polarisation, so institutions must adapt without curbing constitutional freedoms. Development, too, must be judged by how far it promotes inclusion, dignity and equal opportunity, not by economic indicators alone. Ultimately, democracy survives through informed citizens, impartial institutions, ethical leadership and public trust, because a Constitution comes alive only when its principles are practised every day.
Q10. Comprehension: Oliver Twist (9 × 5 = 45), with suggested answers
The extract, from Charles Dickens’s Oliver Twist, covers Oliver’s move from Mrs. Mann’s care to the workhouse, the board’s starvation diet, and the famous scene in which Oliver asks for more gruel.
| Question | Suggested answer (key points) |
|---|---|
| (a) Why was Oliver removed from Mrs. Mann’s care, and where was he taken? | On his ninth birthday Mr. Bumble, the parish beadle, said Oliver was too old to stay at Mrs. Mann’s establishment. He was taken to the main workhouse. |
| (b) How does Dickens describe the attitude of the workhouse board towards the poor? | Through irony: the “sage, deep, philosophical” board members believe the poor enjoy the workhouse as a place of free food and entertainment, so they make rules that leave the poor a choice between slow starvation inside and quick starvation outside. The board is callous and self-righteous. |
| (c) What was the daily diet provided to the boys in the workhouse? | Three meals of thin gruel a day, an onion twice a week and half a roll on Sundays. Each boy got one porringer of gruel, with two and a quarter ounces of bread only on days of public rejoicing. |
| (d) Why did the boys decide that someone should ask the master for more food? | After three months of slow starvation they were desperate with hunger. A tall boy hinted that unless he got another basin of gruel a day he might eat the boy who slept next to him, and the others believed him. |
| (e) Why was Oliver chosen to ask the master for more gruel? | A council was held and lots were cast to decide who should ask; the lot fell to Oliver Twist. |
How the OCS Mains Papers Count
| Part | Papers | Marks | Counts for merit? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Part I | Odia and English (Matriculation standard) | 250 each | No; at least 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 | ||
Part II answer books are evaluated only for candidates who score at least 25% in both language papers. Syllabus for every paper: OPSC OCS syllabus and exam pattern.
After the Mains: Result and Interview
- Mains result: OPSC has not announced a date. Track it on the OCS Mains Result 2025 page.
- Interview: qualified candidates face a 250-mark Personality Test at OPSC, Cuttack.
- Final result: based on 2,000 marks (Mains 1,750 + Interview 250). Prelims marks are not added.
- Older papers: GS and optional papers from earlier years are on the OPSC Mains previous year papers page.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I download the OPSC OAS Mains 2025 question papers?
This page has the OCS Mains 2025 papers as PDFs, with the questions in text. The Odia and English language papers of 31 October 2026 are available now; GS I–IV, Essay and Optional papers are added after each exam day.
When is the OCS Mains 2025 exam?
From 31 October to 7 November 2026: Odia and English on 31 October, GS I and II on 2 November, GS III and IV on 4 November, Essay on 5 November and the Optional papers on 7 November, as per OPSC Notice No. 5984/PSC of 26 October 2026.
What were the essay topics in the OCS Mains 2025 English paper?
Indian Democracy: Challenges and Opportunities; Environment and Sustainable Development; Science, Technology, Ethics for a Futuristic India; Education, Human Resources and National Development; and “A Society Is Judged by How It Treats Its Weakest Members”. Candidates wrote on one topic in about 1,000 words for 80 marks.
What were the essay topics in the OCS Mains 2025 Odia paper?
Sahitya o Jibana (Literature and Life); Chasa Lakhye Jiba Posha: Prachara o Bastabata; Jati Bheda o Samajika Nyaya (Caste Discrimination and Social Justice); and Bhrashta Prashasaka Eka Samajika Bipada (A Corrupt Administrator Is a Social Menace). Candidates wrote on one topic in about 900 words for 80 marks.
Are the Odia and English paper marks counted in the OCS final merit?
No. Both are qualifying papers of 250 marks each. A candidate needs at least 25% in each, and only then are the seven merit papers (Essay, GS I–IV and two Optional papers, 1,750 marks) evaluated.
Does OPSC release an answer key for the OCS Mains?
No. The Mains is a descriptive (written) exam, so OPSC does not publish an answer key. The suggested answers on this page are prepared by Strive Edge IAS for practice.
When will the OCS Mains 2025 result be declared?
OPSC has not announced a date. Candidates who qualify in the Mains are called for a 250-mark interview, and the final merit list is based on 2,000 marks (Mains 1,750 + Interview 250).
Related Resources on Strive Edge IAS
- Complete guide: OPSC OCS Exam: Complete Guide (pattern, posts, salary, eligibility)
- This exam: Mains 2025 timetable · Mains 2025 result · Syllabus
- Previous year papers: OPSC Mains PYQs (GS, sociology, geography, anthropology) and OPSC Prelims PYQs (solved)
- Classroom and online coaching: Strive Edge IAS, Bhubaneswar
