The Odisha Public Service Commission (OPSC) has released Advertisement No. 05 of 2026-27 for Special Recruitment to the posts of Assistant Fisheries Officer (Group-B) of the Odisha Fisheries Service Cadre, under the Fisheries and Animal Resources Development Department. This recruitment drive is specifically for Scheduled Caste (SC) and Scheduled Tribe (ST) category candidates, with a total of 44 (13-W) vacancies. Candidates with a Bachelor’s Degree in Fishery Science (B.F.Sc.) can apply online from 24 July 2026 to 24 August 2026 (up to 5:00 PM) through the official OPSC website at www.opsc.gov.in. Selection is through a Written Examination (800 marks) followed by an Interview/Viva Voce Test (100 marks). Candidates are advised to read the complete official notification carefully before applying.
Important Note: This is a Special Recruitment open only to SC and ST category candidates – it is not open to General/OBC/EWS candidates. There is no application fee for this recruitment. Concessions meant for ST/SC by birth are admissible only to Scheduled Tribe/Scheduled Caste candidates of Odisha. Candidates must be able to read, write, and speak Odia, meeting one of the prescribed Odia-proficiency conditions. Community/Caste status once mentioned in the online application cannot be changed under any circumstances.
Overview
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Organization | Odisha Public Service Commission (OPSC) |
| Post Name | Assistant Fisheries Officer (Group-B), Odisha Fisheries Service Cadre |
| Department | Fisheries and Animal Resources Development Department, Govt. of Odisha |
| Advertisement No. | 05 of 2026-27 |
| Total Vacancies | 44 (13-W) – Special Recruitment for SC/ST candidates |
| Pay Scale | Rs. 44,900/- (Level-10 of Pay Matrix, ORSP Rules 2017) + usual allowances |
| Application Fee | Nil |
| Mode of Application | Online |
| Application Start Date | 24 July 2026 |
| Application End Date | 24 August 2026, 5:00 PM |
| Written Exam Date | 26 September 2026 (Saturday) |
| Official Website | www.opsc.gov.in |
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Online Application Start Date | 24 July 2026 |
| Online Application Closing Date | 24 August 2026, 5:00 PM |
| Written Examination Date | 26 September 2026 (Saturday) |
| Detailed Exam Schedule and Centre | Not specified yet – to be notified in due course on the OPSC website |
Application Fee
No examination fee is required to be paid for applying or appearing in this recruitment.
Vacancy Details – Total 44 (13-W) Posts
| Category | No. of Vacancies |
|---|---|
| Scheduled Caste (SC) | 01 |
| Scheduled Tribe (ST) | 43 (13-W) |
| Total | 44 (13-W) |
Sub-Category Reservation
| Category | Sub-Category | Vacancies Reserved |
|---|---|---|
| Ex-Servicemen | – | 01 |
| Persons with Disabilities | Cat-I (Visually Impaired) | 01 |
| Persons with Disabilities | Cat-II (Hearing Impaired) | 01 |
Candidates belonging to Ex-Servicemen and PwD categories will be adjusted against the categories to which they belong. Exchange of reservation between SC and ST categories will not be considered. The number of vacancies is subject to change by the Government without notice.
Age Limit (As on 1 January 2026)
Since this is a Special Recruitment for SC and ST categories only, a candidate must have attained the age of 21 years and must not be above the age of 47 years as on 1 January 2026, i.e., born not earlier than 2 January 1979 and not later than 1 January 2005.
| Category | Age Relaxation |
|---|---|
| PwD (40% or more disability) belonging to SC/ST | 10 years over and above 47 years |
Age relaxation for PwD is available only to Cat-I (Visually Impaired, including Low Vision/Partially Blind) and Cat-II (Hearing Impaired, including Partially Deaf with suitable aid), as requisitioned by the Government. Save as provided above, the prescribed age limits cannot be relaxed in any case. A candidate falling under more than one category gets only one age relaxation benefit – whichever is most beneficial. Only the date of birth entered in the High School Certificate or equivalent will be accepted.
Eligibility – Educational Qualification
A candidate must possess a Bachelor’s Degree in Fishery Science (B.F.Sc.) from a recognized University in India or abroad.
Other Eligibility Conditions
- The candidate must be a citizen of India.
- The candidate must be able to read, write, and speak Odia, and must satisfy one of the following: passed Middle School Examination with Odia as a language subject; passed Matriculation or equivalent with Odia as medium of examination in a non-language subject; passed Odia as a language subject in the Class-VII final examination from a Government-recognized school; or passed a test in Odia in Middle English School Standard conducted by the School and Mass Education Department.
- A candidate with more than one living spouse is not eligible unless exempted by the State Government for good and sufficient reasons.
- Government servants (temporary or permanent) can apply if within the prescribed age limit and qualification, provided they inform their Head of Office in writing and obtain a No Objection Certificate.
- Candidates debarred by OPSC, another State PSC, or UPSC from appearing in any examination/Viva Voce Test will not be eligible for the debarred period.
- Candidates must fulfil qualification and age limit by the closing date of the online application.
- A candidate must be of good mental condition and bodily health, free from any physical defect likely to interfere with the discharge of duties, subject to medical examination.
Selection Process
The Competitive Examination for recruitment to the post of Assistant Fisheries Officer consists of:
| Stage | Marks |
|---|---|
| A. Written Examination (Objective Type) | 800 Marks |
| B. Interview (Viva Voce Test) | 100 Marks |
Written Examination Pattern
| Paper | Duration | No. of Questions | Total Marks | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paper-I | 2 hours 30 minutes | 200 | 400 | Objective & Subject-specific |
| Paper-II | 2 hours 30 minutes | 200 | 400 | Objective & Subject-specific |
- Each question carries 2 marks.
- There is NO negative marking for wrong answers.
- The Commission will fix qualifying marks for each paper for all categories of candidates.
- Candidates securing the minimum qualifying marks in the written examination will be called for the Viva Voce Test, about two times the advertised vacancies for each category and sub-category, subject to a minimum of 5.
- The merit list will be prepared based on the total marks secured in the Written Examination and Interview.
- Cut-off marks and individual marks will be declared on the OPSC website only after publication of the final result and select list.
Exam Date and Centre
The Written Examination will be held on 26 September 2026 (Saturday) at Kataka (Cuttack). It may also be held at Bhubaneswar depending on the number of candidates from respective zones. Candidates must mention their choice of Examination Zone in the online application form. The detailed schedule and centre will be notified in due course.
Syllabus – Assistant Fisheries Officer 2026 (Broad Topics)
Paper-I Topics
Fresh Water Aquaculture, Aquaculture in Reservoirs, Ornamental Fish Production and Management, Genetics and Breeding, Finfish Hatchery Management, Fish Nutrition and Feed Technology, Coastal Aquaculture and Mariculture, Taxonomy of Finfish, Anatomy and Biology of Finfish, Inland Fisheries, Physiology of Finfish and Shellfish, Marine Fisheries, Information and Communication Technology, Fisheries Extension Education, Fisheries Co-operatives and Marketing, Fisheries Policy and Law.
Paper-II Topics
Fish and Shellfish Pathology, Microbial and Parasitic Diseases of Fish and Shellfish, Pharmacology, Fish Toxicology, Soil and Water Chemistry, Limnology, Marine Biology, Aquatic Ecology, Biodiversity and Disaster Management, Fish in Nutrition, Fish Products and Value Addition, Fish By-Products and Waste Utilization, Aquaculture Engineering, Fishing Craft Technology, Fishing Gear Technology.
The detailed syllabus for each topic is provided in Annexure-A of the official notification.
Required Documents
Candidates must upload the following original scanned documents/certificates on the e-Chayan portal while submitting the online application:
- H.S.C. or equivalent certificate (proof of date of birth)
- Intermediate/+2 Examination Certificate
- B.F.Sc. Degree Certificate from a recognized University
- Mark-lists for all examinations (H.S.C. to B.F.Sc.), including fail marks if any
- Fishery Registration Certificate
- Required Odia Test Pass Certificate
- Caste Certificate by birth in support of claim as ST/SC, whichever applicable
- Four recent passport size photographs (unsigned and unattested)
- Release Certificate for Ex-Servicemen (as per Orissa Ex-Servicemen Rules, 1985), with an affidavit of no post-retirement civil post appointment
- Permanent Disability Certificate (40% or more disability) for PwD, issued by the concerned Medical Board
- Proof of identity (Aadhaar/EPIC/Driving Licence/Passport/PAN Card)
Note: Candidates with only grade marks (not percentage) must produce a conversion certificate from the University, failing which the application may be rejected. Women candidates belonging to SC/ST must submit caste certificates by birth showing “daughter of ___” – certificates by virtue of marriage are not acceptable. All certificates must be issued by the competent authority on or before the date of submission.
How to Apply for OPSC Assistant Fisheries Officer Recruitment 2026?
- Go through the complete advertisement details on the OPSC website before filling the application.
- Apply online only through www.opsc.gov.in – applications through any other mode will be summarily rejected.
- Upload self-attested copies of all required documents.
- Fill in the automated, system-driven online application form carefully – edit options are limited, and no further edit is possible after confirmation.
- Upload a scanned passport size photograph, scanned signature, and scanned Left Hand Thumb Impression (LTI) – all must be clearly visible.
- Keep at least four copies of the latest passport size photograph used in the application.
- On successful submission, a unique Permanent Public Service Account Number (PPSAN) will be assigned.
- Take a printout of the finally submitted Registration and Application forms and sign the declaration for submission to OPSC, along with required certificates as and when asked.
- Submit well in advance of the closing date to avoid last-hour rush.
- Download the Certificate of Admission from the OPSC website before the exam and produce it at the examination centre.
Important Note: The last date is 24 August 2026, up to 5:00 PM. Apply early to avoid last-minute technical issues.
Important Instructions
- Incomplete online applications are liable to rejection without correspondence.
- Admission to the Written Examination/Viva Voce Test is provisional; candidature can be rejected at any stage if eligibility conditions are not met.
- Concessions meant for ST/SC by birth are admissible only to Scheduled Tribe/Scheduled Caste candidates of Odisha.
- Community/Caste status once mentioned cannot be changed under any circumstances.
- This advertisement is not binding on the Government to make an appointment.
- Misrepresentation or suppression of information leads to cancellation of candidature or penalty.
- Mere inclusion in the list confers no right to appointment.
- Candidates submitting forged or manipulated documents will be debarred from OPSC examinations for 3 years.
- Complaints on the conduct of examination must be sent to the Grievance Wing within 7 days of completion.
Grounds for Rejection of Application
- Incomplete online application form
- Non-submission of hard copy at document verification
- Not within the age limit (no overage relaxation for PwD with less than 40% disability)
- Declaration not signed with full signature in the hard copy
- No required educational qualification
- Copies of required certificates/documents not furnished
- Odia Test pass evidence not furnished
- Submission of wrong or false information about qualification, age, Odia Test pass evidence, or category status
- Suppression of facts about eligibility
Important Links
| Action | Link |
|---|---|
| Apply Online | Click Here |
| Official OPSC Website | Click Here |
Note: Download the detailed official notification (Advertisement No. 05 of 2026-27) directly from the official OPSC website – only the official government source is referenced here.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. How many vacancies are there in OPSC Assistant Fisheries Officer Recruitment 2026?
✅ There are a total of 44 (13-W) vacancies – 01 post for SC and 43 (13-W) posts for ST candidates.
Q2. What is the educational qualification required for OPSC Assistant Fisheries Officer?
✅ Candidates must have a Bachelor’s Degree in Fishery Science (B.F.Sc.) from a recognized University in India or abroad.
Q3. What is the last date to apply for OPSC Assistant Fisheries Officer Recruitment 2026?
✅ The online application can be submitted from 24 July 2026 to 24 August 2026, up to 5:00 PM.
Q4. Is there any application fee for this recruitment?
✅ No. There is no examination fee required for applying or appearing in this recruitment.
Q5. What is the age limit for OPSC Assistant Fisheries Officer Recruitment 2026?
✅ Candidates must be between 21 and 47 years of age as on 1 January 2026, with a 10-year age relaxation for PwD (40% or more) candidates belonging to SC/ST categories.
Q6. What is the selection process for Assistant Fisheries Officer post?
✅ Selection is based on a Written Examination of 800 marks (two papers of 400 marks each) followed by an Interview (Viva Voce Test) of 100 marks.
Q7. When is the OPSC Assistant Fisheries Officer written exam?
✅ The written examination will be held on 26 September 2026 (Saturday). The detailed schedule and centre will be notified in due course.
Q8. What is the pay scale for Assistant Fisheries Officer (Group-B)?
✅ The pay scale is Rs. 44,900/- (Level-10 of Pay Matrix under ORSP Rules, 2017), with usual dearness and other allowances.
Q9. Is this recruitment open to all candidates or only specific categories?
✅ This is a Special Recruitment open only to Scheduled Caste (SC) and Scheduled Tribe (ST) category candidates.
Q10. Is there negative marking in the OPSC Assistant Fisheries Officer written exam?
✅ No. There is no negative marking for wrong answers in the written examination.
Disclaimer: All information provided is for reference purposes only. This is a Special Recruitment open only to SC/ST category candidates. Candidates are advised to verify all details including vacancy, eligibility, age limit, selection process, and application procedure from the official notification (Advertisement No. 05 of 2026-27) and the official OPSC website at opsc.gov.in before applying.
