Thumbnail: Viksit Haryana | OSSSC Ophthalmic Officer Recruitment 2026, 238 posts, last date 5 December 2026
Good news for eye-care professionals. The Odisha government has opened 238 Ophthalmic Officer posts in its Health and Family Welfare Department, with a starting salary of Rs 25,500 per month. Best of all, selection is through a single 100-mark written test — there is no interview.
If you hold a two-year COA or COSA course after +2 Science and a valid registration with the Ophthalmic Officers’ Council in Odisha, this opportunity is for you. Registration closes on 29 November 2026 and applications on 5 December 2026. The fee is only Rs 500 — and it is refunded if you appear for the exam.
OSSSC Ophthalmic Officer Recruitment 2026 — Quick Summary
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| Organisation | Odisha Sub-Ordinate Staff Selection Commission (OSSSC) |
| Department | Health & Family Welfare Department, Government of Odisha |
| Post Name | Ophthalmic Officer (District Cadre, Group-C) |
| Total Vacancies | 238 (29 districts) |
| Advertisement No. | IIE-103/2026-3282/OSSSC, dated 05.11.2026 |
| Salary | Rs 25,500–81,100, Pay Matrix Level-7 |
| Age Limit | 21 to 42 years (as on 05.11.2026) |
| Qualification | +2 Science + 2-year COA/COSA course + Odisha Council registration |
| Application Fee | Rs 500 (SC/ST/PwD exempted; refunded if you appear) |
| Selection Process | Written test (100 marks) → Document Verification → District allocation |
| Registration Last Date | 29 November 2026 |
| Application Last Date | 5 December 2026 |
| Official Website | www.osssc.gov.in |
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Detailed advertisement released | 5 November 2026 |
| Online registration / re-registration | 5 November to 29 November 2026 |
| Online application submission | 5 November to 5 December 2026 |
| Written test date | Not announced yet (to be intimated by notice/admission letter) |
Note: Registration is not an application. OSSSC clearly states that mere registration or re-registration does not mean the application is filed — you must separately complete the online application after registering.
Total 238 Posts — Category-wise Vacancies
| Category | Total Posts |
|---|---|
| UR (Unreserved) | 123 (Women 39) |
| ST | 67 (Women 23) |
| SC | 22 (Women 6) |
| SEBC | 26 (Women 5) |
| Total | 238 |
The most vacancies are in Mayurbhanj (18), Sundargarh (16) and Ganjam (15). This is a district cadre recruitment — after selection, your posting and transfers stay within your district. You must list your district preferences in the application, but a preferred district is not guaranteed.
Who Can Apply? — Eligibility
Educational Qualification: +2 Science or equivalent with a two-year Certified Ophthalmic Assistant (COA) or Certified Ophthalmic Surgical Assistant (COSA) course from a Government or Government-recognised institution of the State of Odisha.
Council Registration (most important): On the date you submit the application, you must hold a valid registration with the Ophthalmic Officers’ Council in the State of Odisha. The certificate must be uploaded online — without it, the application cannot be completed.
Odia Language: You must be able to read, write and speak Odia and meet one of four conditions — passed the Middle School Examination with Odia as a language subject, or Matriculation with Odia as the medium of examination, or passed Odia as a language subject in the final examination of Class VII, or passed the Odia test at M.E. School standard.
Important warning: The advertisement does not list Diploma in Optometry or B.Sc. Optometry as qualifying courses. If you hold only an optometry diploma or degree without a COA/COSA certificate, confirm with OSSSC in writing before paying the fee.
Age Limit and Relaxation
| Category | Maximum Age |
|---|---|
| General (UR) | 42 years (as on 05.11.2026) |
| SC / ST / SEBC / Women | 5 years’ relaxation — up to 47 years |
| Persons with Disabilities (PwD) | 10 years’ relaxation — up to 52 years |
| Ex-Servicemen | Relaxation equal to total defence service rendered |
| Contractual Ophthalmic Assistant | Up to 45 years |
The minimum age is 21 years. If you fall under more than one category, you get only one relaxation — whichever is most beneficial.
Application Fee
| Category | Fee |
|---|---|
| SC / ST / PwD | Exempted (nil) |
| All other applicants (UR, SEBC, Women, Ex-Servicemen etc.) | Rs 500 |
Pay online through Net Banking, Credit Card, Debit Card or UPI. The Rs 500 is refunded to those who actually appear in the written test — no refund is given to anyone who does not appear. The refund goes to the same bank account or payment method used for the application, so enter your own bank account number correctly.
Salary and Career Growth
The post carries Pay Matrix Level-7, Rs 25,500–81,100 (ORSP Rules 2017). Allowances are payable as per Odisha Government rules. The cadre has a clear promotion ladder — from Ophthalmic Officer to Senior Ophthalmic Officer, then Chief Ophthalmic Officer, and finally Assistant Director (Level-12, Rs 56,100–1,76,500).
Selection Process and Exam Pattern
Selection is through one written test only — there is no interview or separate skill test.
| Stage | Details |
|---|---|
| 1. Written test | 100 marks, 100 questions, 2 hours, MCQ (OMR/CBRE mode) |
| 2. Merit list | Candidates meeting minimum qualifying marks (at least 1.25 times the vacancies) |
| 3. Document Verification | Originals checked at the district level |
| 4. District allocation | On merit-cum-choice |
Exam Pattern:
| Section | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| COA/COSA subjects | 60 | 60 |
| Practical skills | 25 | 25 |
| Arithmetic (HSC standard) | 10 | 10 |
| English (HSC standard) | 5 | 5 |
| Total | 100 | 100 |
Negative marking: 0.25 marks are deducted for each wrong answer. Unattempted questions carry no penalty. Minimum qualifying marks: 30% for ST, SC, PwD, Ex-Servicemen and Sportsperson categories, and 35% for all others. You may choose up to three districts as test-centre preferences.
Documents Required
- Valid registration certificate of the Ophthalmic Officers’ Council in Odisha
- HSC pass certificate, +2 Science pass certificate, and the two-year COA/COSA course certificate
- Odia language certificate (Class VII or above)
- Caste certificate / UDID card (if claiming reservation)
- Discharge certificate and undertaking (for Ex-Servicemen)
- Recent passport-size colour photo (20–100 KB) and signature (20–50 KB), jpg/jpeg/png
How to Apply Online
- Open www.osssc.gov.in and read the instructions under “How do I register/re-register/apply” on the home page.
- New user: click “Apply Online” and register. Already registered user: log in and choose “Re-registration” under the Applicant Menu.
- Complete registration or re-registration before 29 November 2026.
- Log in again and fill the online application — include your district preferences and test-centre preferences (up to three districts).
- Upload your Council registration certificate, photo, signature and other documents.
- Pay the Rs 500 fee online (not applicable for SC/ST/PwD) and print the Confirmation Page.
- Submit the application before 5 December 2026 and save a copy.
Submit only one application — multiple application forms lead to cancellation of your result.
Important Links
- Official Website: https://www.osssc.gov.in/
- Detailed Advertisement (Advt No. IIE-103/2026-3282/OSSSC): read it on the official website osssc.gov.in
- OSSSC Helpline: 0674-2597149 / 2597152
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How many vacancies are there in OSSSC Ophthalmic Officer Recruitment 2026?
There are 238 District Cadre Group-C vacancies in 29 districts. The number may change without prior notice.
2. What is the last date to apply?
Registration or re-registration ends on 29 November 2026, and the online application must be submitted by 5 December 2026.
3. What is the age limit?
You must be at least 21 and not above 42 years as on 05.11.2026. Relaxation is 5 years for SC/ST/SEBC/Women, 10 years for PwD, and the limit is 45 years for contractual Ophthalmic Assistants.
4. What is the qualification?
+2 Science with a two-year COA or COSA course from a Government or recognised institution of the State, plus valid registration with the Ophthalmic Officers’ Council in Odisha.
5. Can Diploma in Optometry holders apply?
The advertisement does not list Diploma in Optometry or B.Sc. Optometry as qualifying courses. If you also hold a COA/COSA certificate and Council registration, you meet the clause. Otherwise, confirm with OSSSC before paying the fee.
6. How much is the application fee, and is it refunded?
Rs 500 (SC/ST/PwD exempted). It is refunded if you actually appear for the exam.
7. Is there an interview?
No. Selection is through the 100-mark written test followed by document verification.
Next Action
Read the detailed advertisement on https://www.osssc.gov.in/ and apply online before 5 December 2026. Keep your Council registration certificate ready — without it, the application cannot be completed.
Note: the exam date and topic-wise syllabus have not been officially announced yet. The exam date will be intimated by notice/admission letter. Read the detailed advertisement on osssc.gov.in before applying.
