OPSC OCS Notification 2026: Expected Date, Vacancies, Eligibility, Age Limit and Fee
Quick Answer
Last updated: 26 October 2026 · Official source: opsc.gov.in. OPSC dates and rules can change through corrigenda; always confirm on the official website.
Expected Timeline for OCS 2026
| Event | Expected / last cycle |
|---|---|
| Notification | Likely Dec 2026 – Jan 2027 (last: 31 Dec 2025) |
| Online application | About a month after the notification (last: 20 Jan – Mar 2026) |
| Prelims | Likely mid-2027 (last: 7 June 2026) |
| Mains | Likely late 2027 (last: 29 Oct – 7 Nov 2026) |
Vacancy Trend and Services
| Cycle | Posts |
|---|---|
| OCS 2024 (Advt. 07 of 2024-25) | 200 |
| OCS 2025 (Advt. 05 of 2025-26) | 314, revised to 465 |
| OCS 2026 | To be announced |
OCS 2025 posts by service
| Service | Posts |
|---|---|
| Odisha Taxation & Accounts Service | 176 |
| Odisha Revenue Service | 113 |
| Odisha Labour Service | 98 |
| Odisha Welfare Service | 16 |
| Odisha Administrative Service (OAS) | 14 |
| Odisha Police Service (OPS) | 12 |
| Odisha Skill Development & Employment Service | 10 |
| Odisha Tourism Service | 8 |
| Odisha Transport Service | 8 |
| Odisha Excise Service | 6 |
| Odisha Co-operative Service | 4 |
Under the Odisha Revised Scales of Pay Rules, 2017, Group A posts start at a basic pay of Rs 56,100 and most Group B posts at Rs 44,900, plus allowances.
Eligibility (as per the OCS 2025 Notification)
Educational qualification
- A bachelor’s degree from a recognised university, or an equivalent qualification. Final-year students should check the notification for the cut-off date for the degree.
Age limit
| Category | Age (2025 cycle, as on 1 Jan 2025) |
|---|---|
| Unreserved | 21–42 years (born 2 Jan 1983 – 1 Jan 2004) |
| SC, ST, SEBC, Women, Ex-servicemen | +5 years |
| Persons with Disabilities (40% or more) | +10 years |
Odia language requirement
Candidates must be able to read, write and speak Odia, and show one of the following:
- Passed the Middle School Examination with Odia as a language subject, or
- Passed the High School Certificate Examination with Odia as the medium in a non-language subject, or
- Studied Odia as a language subject up to Class VII, or
- Passed a test in Odia at Middle English School standard.
Attempts and fee
| Item | Detail (2025 cycle, as reported) |
|---|---|
| Attempts | General 6, SEBC 9, SC/ST no limit |
| Fee | Rs 700 for General and SEBC; SC, ST and PwD exempt |
Selection Process
| Stage | Papers | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Prelims | GS Paper I and CSAT (qualifying, 33%) | 200 + 200; screening only |
| Mains | Odia and English (qualifying, 25%); Essay, GS I–IV, Optional I and II | 1,750 for merit |
| Interview | Personality Test | 250 |
| Final merit | 2,000 |
Read the paper-wise topics in the OPSC OCS Syllabus.
What to Do Before the Notification
- Get documents ready: Degree certificate, Odia-language proof, caste/SEBC and other certificates.
- Start Prelims practice: Work through our 597 solved OPSC Prelims PYQs, sorted by subject and year.
- Build Odisha depth: Read our Odisha current affairs daily; Odisha history, geography, economy and schemes appear in both Prelims and Mains.
- Pick your optional early: One optional (two papers) carries 500 of the 1,750 Mains marks.
Frequently Asked Questions
When will the OPSC OCS 2026 notification be released?
OPSC has not announced it. The previous notification came out on 31 December 2025, so the next one is likely around December 2026 or January 2027.
How many vacancies were there in OCS 2025?
465 Group A and B posts, revised up from 314 by an addendum.
What is the age limit for OPSC OCS?
In the 2025 cycle it was 21 to 42 years as on 1 January 2025, with 5 extra years for SC, ST, SEBC, women and ex-servicemen and 10 for PwD candidates. Check the new notification for the 2026 limit.
Is knowledge of Odia compulsory for OPSC OCS?
Yes. Candidates must read, write and speak Odia and show proof, such as passing Odia as a subject at Middle School level or an Odia test at ME School standard.
How many attempts are allowed in OPSC OCS?
As reported for the 2025 cycle: 6 for General, 9 for SEBC, and no limit for SC and ST candidates.
Related Resources on Strive Edge IAS
- Current cycle: OCS Mains 2025 Timetable and 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
