The Odisha Public Service Commission (OPSC), Cuttack, has released Advertisement No. 14 OF 2026-27 for 89 Scientific Officer posts across 10 forensic science disciplines at the Odisha Forensic Science Laboratory. Online applications open on 6 November 2026 and close on 26 November 2026 at opsc.gov.in. The written examination is scheduled for 17 January 2027. All posts carry a pay of Rs. 44,900 at Level 10, Cell-1 of the Pay Matrix.
Important Note
1. Online applications open on 6 November 2026. You can apply only through opsc.gov.in. Read the full notification PDF carefully before filling the form, as each discipline has a specific post-graduate qualification requirement.
2. You can apply for only one discipline. Choose carefully — the notification does not allow switching after submission.
3. Odia language proficiency is mandatory. You must have passed ME School or a higher examination with Odia as a language subject, or an equivalent qualification. Without this, you are not eligible regardless of your science qualification.
OPSC Scientific Officer Recruitment 2026: Overview
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Conducting Body | Odisha Public Service Commission (OPSC), Cuttack |
| Advertisement No. | 14 OF 2026-27 |
| Post Name | Scientific Officer (10 disciplines) |
| Total Vacancies | 89 |
| Pay | Rs. 44,900 (Level 10, Cell-1, Pay Matrix) |
| Age Limit | 21 to 42 years as on 1 January 2026 |
| Application Fee | Rs. 700 (SC, ST and PwD: Nil) |
| Application Mode | Online |
| Application Start | 6 November 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply | 26 November 2026 |
| Written Examination | 17 January 2027 |
| Job Location | Odisha |
| Official Website | opsc.gov.in |
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification published | 28 October 2026 |
| Online application and fee payment start | 6 November 2026 |
| Last date to apply and pay fee | 26 November 2026 |
| Written Examination | 17 January 2027 |
Vacancy Details
Post-wise Vacancies
| Post (Discipline) | UR | OBC | SC | ST | EWS | PwD | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Physics | 4 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 7 |
| Ballistics | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 6 |
| Chemistry | 4 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 10 |
| Toxicology | 8 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 13 |
| Biology | 6 | 2 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 14 |
| Serology | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| DNA | 6 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 12 |
| Forensic Psychology | 3 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 6 |
| Cyber Forensic | 5 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 11 |
| Document | 3 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 6 |
| Total | 45 | 8 | 16 | 18 | 2 | 4 | 89 |
Eligibility Criteria
Educational Qualification
Post Graduate or Master’s Degree with a minimum of 55% marks in the relevant discipline. Discipline-wise requirements are as follows.
| Post | Qualifying Master’s Degree |
|---|---|
| Physics | Physics, Applied Physics, Electronics with Physics, Integrated M.Sc. in Physics, or Forensic Science with Forensic Physics or Ballistics |
| Ballistics | Physics, Applied Physics, Mathematics, Applied Mathematics, Integrated M.Sc. in Physics or Mathematics, or Forensic Science |
| Chemistry | Chemistry, Analytical Chemistry, Applied Chemistry, Bio-Chemistry, Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Pharmaceutical Quality Assurance, or Forensic Science |
| Toxicology | Chemistry, Analytical Chemistry, Applied Chemistry, or Forensic Science with Forensic Chemistry or Toxicology |
| Biology | Zoology, Microbiology, Life Science, Genetics, Biotechnology, Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, or Forensic Science with Forensic Biology, Serology or DNA |
| Serology | Zoology, Microbiology, Life Science, Genetics, Biotechnology, Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, or Forensic Science with Forensic Biology, Serology or DNA |
| DNA | Zoology, Biotechnology, Genetics, Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Microbiology, Life Sciences, or Forensic Science with Forensic Biology, Serology or DNA |
| Forensic Psychology | Psychology or Forensic Psychology with Psychology as Honours or principal subject at Bachelor’s level |
| Cyber Forensic | Computer Science, Computer Science and Engineering, Information Technology, Cyber Security, Computer Application, Digital Forensic, or Forensic Science with Cyber Forensics |
| Document | Physics, Chemistry, or Forensic Science with Chemistry or Physics as one of the subjects at B.Sc. level |
Language Requirement
Must be able to speak, read and write Odia and have passed ME School or a higher examination with Odia as a language subject, or an equivalent qualification.
Citizenship
Must be a citizen of India.
Age Limit (as on 1 January 2026)
| Category | Age Limit |
|---|---|
| All candidates | 21 to 42 years |
| SEBC / SC / ST / Women / Ex-Servicemen | Up to 47 years (5 years relaxation) |
| PwD | Up to 52 years (10 years relaxation) |
Pay Scale
| Component | Details |
|---|---|
| Pay | Rs. 44,900 |
| Pay Level | Level 10, Cell-1 of Pay Matrix |
Application Fee
| Category | Fee |
|---|---|
| General / UR / OBC / EWS | Rs. 700 |
| SC / ST / PwD | Nil |
Payment is online through Credit Card, Debit Card, UPI, Net Banking or Wallet. The last date to pay is 26 November 2026. Fees are refunded only to candidates who appear in both papers of the written examination.
Selection Process and Exam Pattern
Selection is through a written examination followed by a Personality Test / Viva Voce.
| Stage | Marks |
|---|---|
| Paper-I: General English, General Awareness, General Aptitude and Reasoning | 100 |
| Paper-II: Specific Division Subject (discipline-specific MCQs) | 300 |
| Personality Test / Viva Voce | 50 |
| Total | 450 |
Both papers are objective MCQ. Negative marking applies: 25% of the marks allotted to each question is deducted for each wrong answer in both papers.
| Paper | Questions | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper-I | 100 | 100 | 90 minutes |
| Paper-II | 150 | 300 | 150 minutes |
How to Apply
- Visit opsc.gov.in.
- Open the link for Advertisement No. 14 OF 2026-27 (Scientific Officer).
- Read the complete notification PDF before proceeding.
- Fill the online application form with your personal, educational and other details.
- Upload a scanned photograph, signature and Left-Hand Thumb Impression (LTI).
- Pay the application fee online.
- Submit the form on or before 26 November 2026.
- Print the submitted application form for future reference.
You can apply for only one discipline. Verify your discipline-specific eligibility in the notification PDF before applying.
Documents to Keep Ready for Verification
- HSC or equivalent certificate (date of birth proof)
- Intermediate/+2 Examination Certificate
- Bachelor’s Degree Certificate and marksheets
- Master’s Degree Certificate and marksheets (showing 55% or above)
- Caste certificate (SEBC/SC/ST), if applicable
- Odia test pass certificate
- Permanent Disability Certificate, if applicable
Important Links
| Description | Link |
|---|---|
| Official Notification PDF (Advt. No. 14 OF 2026-27) | Click Here |
| Apply Online (from 6 November 2026) | Click Here |
| OPSC Official Website | Click Here |
FAQs
How many vacancies are there in OPSC Scientific Officer Recruitment 2026?
89 posts across 10 disciplines: Physics (7), Ballistics (6), Chemistry (10), Toxicology (13), Biology (14), Serology (4), DNA (12), Forensic Psychology (6), Cyber Forensic (11) and Document (6).
When do applications open for OPSC Scientific Officer 2026?
Applications open on 6 November 2026 and close on 26 November 2026 at opsc.gov.in.
What is the pay scale?
Rs. 44,900 at Level 10, Cell-1 of the Pay Matrix for all posts.
What is the age limit?
21 to 42 years as on 1 January 2026. SEBC/SC/ST/Women/Ex-Servicemen get 5 years’ relaxation; PwD candidates get 10 years.
Can I apply for more than one discipline?
No. You can apply for only one discipline under this advertisement.
Is Odia language mandatory?
Yes. Odia proficiency and passing ME School or equivalent with Odia as a subject is a mandatory eligibility condition.
When is the written examination?
17 January 2027.
What is the negative marking?
25% of the marks of each question is deducted for a wrong answer in both Paper-I and Paper-II.
Disclaimer
This article is based on OPSC Advertisement No. 14 OF 2026-27 dated 28 October 2026, published at opsc.gov.in. Read the complete official notification PDF before applying to confirm all eligibility conditions for your chosen discipline. JobShouter is not associated with the Odisha Public Service Commission. This article is for informational purposes only.
