The Odisha Public Service Commission (OPSC), Kataka, has released Advertisement No. 15 of 2026-27 for 340 Assistant Section Officer (Group-B) posts in the Odisha Secretariat Service Cadre under the Home Department, Government of Odisha. Online applications open on 9 November 2026 and close on 30 November 2026 at 5:00 PM. The written examination is tentatively scheduled for 17 January 2027. Apply at opsc.gov.in.
Important Note
1. The Odia language qualification is mandatory. Candidates must be able to speak, read and write Odia. Those who did not pass Odia in HSC or Matriculation must hold an additional prescribed Odia qualification certificate before applying.
2. SEBC certificates issued before 10 November 2023 are not valid. OBC certificates are not accepted in place of SEBC certificates. SEBC candidates must hold a certificate issued on or after 10 November 2023 to claim SEBC reservation.
3. The examination fee of Rs. 700 is refundable to candidates who actually appear in the written examination. It is paid to the original payment mode and not refundable to those who do not attend.
OPSC Assistant Section Officer Recruitment 2026: Overview
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Organisation | Odisha Public Service Commission (OPSC), Kataka |
| Post Name | Assistant Section Officer (Group-B) |
| Advertisement No. | 15 of 2026-27 |
| Total Vacancies | 340 |
| Department | Odisha Secretariat Service Cadre, Home Department, Government of Odisha |
| Educational Qualification | Bachelor’s Degree in any discipline from a Recognised University + Computer Knowledge + Odia language |
| Age Limit | 21 to 42 years as on 1 January 2026 |
| Pay Scale | Rs. 35,400 (Level-9, Cell-1, ORSP Rules 2017) |
| Application Fee | Rs. 700 (SC, ST and PwD exempted) |
| Application Mode | Online |
| Application Opens | 9 November 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply | 30 November 2026 at 5:00 PM |
| Written Exam (Tentative) | 17 January 2027 |
| Selection Process | Written Examination (400 marks) and Computer Skill Test (qualifying, 50 marks) |
| Official Website | opsc.gov.in |
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Advertisement Date | 5 November 2026 |
| Application Opens | 9 November 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply | 30 November 2026 at 5:00 PM |
| Written Examination (Tentative) | 17 January 2027 |
Eligibility Criteria
Educational Qualification
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Academic Qualification | Bachelor’s Degree in any discipline from a Recognised University or equivalent |
| Computer Knowledge | Adequate knowledge in Computer Application as specified in the Schedule |
| Language | Ability to speak, read and write Odia; must hold a prescribed Odia qualification |
Candidates who did not pass Odia as a subject in HSC or Matriculation must hold one of the other prescribed Odia qualifications.
Age Limit (as on 1 January 2026)
| Category | Age Limit |
|---|---|
| General | 21 to 42 years |
| SEBC | Up to 47 years (5 years relaxation) |
| SC | Up to 47 years (5 years relaxation) |
| ST | Up to 47 years (5 years relaxation) |
| Women (all categories) | Up to 47 years (5 years relaxation) |
| Ex-Servicemen | Up to 47 years (5 years relaxation) |
| PwD (40% or more) | Up to 52 years (10 years relaxation) |
| PwD of SEBC/SC/ST | Up to 57 years (15 years cumulative relaxation) |
Date of birth from the High School Certificate or equivalent is the only accepted proof.
Pay Scale
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Pay | Rs. 35,400 (Level-9, Cell-1 of ORSP Rules, 2017 Pay Matrix) |
| Additional | Dearness Allowance and other applicable allowances |
Application Fee
| Category | Fee |
|---|---|
| General / SEBC and Others | Rs. 700 |
| SC / ST | Exempted |
| PwD | Exempted |
The fee is paid online while filling the application form. It is refundable to candidates who actually appear in the written examination.
Selection Process
| Stage | Details |
|---|---|
| Written Examination | 400 marks, 3 papers, MCQ, 1 mark per question, 0.25 negative marking |
| Computer Skill Test | 50 marks, practical, qualifying (minimum 40% required) |
| Final Merit | Based on aggregate written examination marks out of 400 |
Written Examination Minimum Qualifying Marks
| Category | Minimum Marks per Paper |
|---|---|
| UR / SEBC | 35% |
| SC / ST | 30% |
| PwD | 28% |
Computer Skill Test
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Marks | 50 |
| Type | Practical (qualifying only) |
| Minimum Qualifying Marks | 40% |
| Counted for Final Merit | No |
Candidates are shortlisted for the Computer Skill Test at approximately 1.5 times the category-wise vacancies (or 2 times if vacancies are 5 or fewer, with a minimum of 5 candidates).
Tie-Breaking Rule
Where two candidates have the same aggregate written marks, the tie is broken by the marks in Paper-I (General Knowledge). If still tied, the older candidate is placed higher.
Exam Pattern
| Paper | Subject | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Paper I | General Knowledge | As per Appendix I of notification |
| Paper II | As per Appendix I | As per Appendix I |
| Paper III | As per Appendix I | As per Appendix I |
| Written Exam Total | 400 | |
| Computer Skill Test | Practical (qualifying) | 50 |
The paper-wise marks distribution and detailed syllabus are available in Appendix-I of the official notification. The written examination will be held at centres in all 33 zones of Odisha.
After the examination, OPSC will upload a provisional answer key on the website for online objections.
Who Cannot Apply
- Children of Ex-Servicemen cannot apply against Ex-Servicemen vacancies.
- SEBC certificates issued before 10 November 2023 are not valid.
- OBC certificates cannot be used in place of SEBC certificates for SEBC vacancies.
- Ex-Servicemen already in regular State Government civil employment can claim only age relaxation, not reservation.
Documents Required
The following certificates must be uploaded where reservation is claimed, or be ready for submission when asked.
- SEBC Caste Certificate issued on or after 10 November 2023 (SEBC candidates)
- Permanent Disability Certificate (PwD candidates)
- Sports Identity Card/Certificate from the Director of Sports, Odisha (Sports candidates)
- Ex-Servicemen certificate (Ex-Servicemen)
- Odia qualification certificate where Odia was not passed in HSC/Matriculation
- Bank account details: Account Number, IFSC code, account holder name and bank branch (for fee refund)
How to Apply for OPSC Assistant Section Officer Recruitment 2026
- Visit the official OPSC website at opsc.gov.in.
- Find the online application link for Advertisement No. 15 of 2026-27.
- Register and create a PPSAN account if not done previously.
- Submit only one application. Multiple applications from multiple PPSAN accounts will be rejected.
- Fill in personal, educational and eligibility details accurately.
- Upload required certificates where reservation is claimed.
- Enter bank account details for fee refund where applicable.
- Pay Rs. 700 examination fee online (SC, ST and PwD candidates are exempted).
- Submit the application on or before 30 November 2026 at 5:00 PM.
- Save a copy of the submitted application for future reference.
Important Links
| Description | Link |
|---|---|
| Official Notification PDF | Click Here |
| Apply Online | Click Here |
| OPSC Official Website | Click Here |
FAQs
How many vacancies are there in OPSC ASO Recruitment 2026?
There are 340 Assistant Section Officer (Group-B) vacancies under Advertisement No. 15 of 2026-27.
When does the OPSC ASO application open?
Applications open on 9 November 2026 and close on 30 November 2026 at 5:00 PM.
What is the pay for OPSC Assistant Section Officer?
Rs. 35,400 in Level-9, Cell-1 of the ORSP Rules, 2017 Pay Matrix, plus DA and other allowances.
Is the OPSC ASO application fee refundable?
Yes, to candidates who actually appear in the written examination. It is not refundable to those who do not attend.
What is the age limit for OPSC ASO Recruitment 2026?
21 to 42 years as on 1 January 2026. Relaxation applies for SEBC, SC, ST, Women, Ex-Servicemen and PwD candidates.
Is there a Computer Skill Test for OPSC ASO?
Yes. After the written examination, shortlisted candidates appear for a qualifying Computer Skill Test of 50 marks (practical). A minimum of 40% is required. This test is not counted in the final merit.
Is Odia language mandatory for OPSC ASO?
Yes. Candidates must be able to speak, read and write Odia and hold a prescribed Odia qualification.
Disclaimer
This article is based on the OPSC official notification Advertisement No. 15 of 2026-27 dated 5 November 2026, available at opsc.gov.in. Candidates must read the full official notification including Appendix-I for the detailed exam pattern, syllabus, paper-wise marks distribution, reservation rules, Odia qualification requirements and other conditions before applying. JobShouter is not associated with the Odisha Public Service Commission (OPSC). This article is for informational purposes only.
