The Odisha Public Service Commission (OPSC) has invited online applications for 340 Assistant Section Officer (ASO) Group-B posts in the Odisha Secretariat Service Cadre under the Home Department, Government of Odisha. Applications opened on 9 November 2026 and the last date to apply is 30 November 2026, up to 5:00 PM. Graduates in any discipline can apply, and the written examination is tentatively scheduled for 17 January 2027.
OPSC ASO Recruitment 2026: Overview
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Recruiting body | Odisha Public Service Commission (OPSC), Cuttack |
| Post name | Assistant Section Officer (ASO), Group-B |
| Department | Odisha Secretariat Service Cadre, Home Department |
| Advertisement number | 15 of 2026-27 |
| Total vacancies | 340 (114 for women) |
| Educational qualification | Bachelor’s degree in any discipline |
| Age limit | 21 to 42 years (as on 1 January 2026) |
| Application fee | Rs 700 (exempted for SC, ST and PwD) |
| Salary | Rs 35,400 (Level-9) plus DA and allowances |
| Application mode | Online at opsc.gov.in |
| Written exam (tentative) | 17 January 2027 |
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification issued | 5 November 2026 |
| Online applications open | 9 November 2026 |
| Last date to apply and pay fee | 30 November 2026, 5:00 PM |
| Written examination (tentative) | 17 January 2027 (Sunday) |
Category-wise Vacancies
| Category | Total posts | Posts for women |
|---|---|---|
| Unreserved (UR) | 144 | 48 |
| SEBC | 38 | 13 |
| Scheduled Caste (SC) | 81 | 27 |
| Scheduled Tribe (ST) | 77 | 26 |
| Total | 340 | 114 |
The 340 posts include backlog vacancies, and 25 posts are earmarked for Persons with Disabilities (PwD) within the total. Seats reserved for SC and ST candidates cannot be exchanged, and the government may change the number of vacancies without notice.
Educational Qualification
Candidates must hold a Bachelor’s Degree in any discipline from a recognised University, or an equivalent qualification, along with adequate knowledge in Computer Application as specified in the Schedule of the notification. They must also be able to speak, read and write Odia and hold one of the prescribed Odia qualifications. The date of birth recorded in the High School Certificate (or equivalent) alone will be accepted.
Age Limit and Relaxation
Candidates must have attained 21 years of age and must not be above 42 years as on 1 January 2026.
| Category | Age relaxation |
|---|---|
| SEBC | 5 years |
| SC | 5 years |
| ST | 5 years |
| Women | 5 years |
| Ex-Servicemen | 5 years |
| PwD (40% or more) | 10 years |
| PwD of SEBC/SC/ST | 15 years (cumulative) |
Application Fee
| Category | Fee |
|---|---|
| Candidates other than SC, ST and PwD | Rs 700 |
| SC, ST and PwD | Exempted |
The fee must be paid online while filling the application form. It is refunded only to candidates who actually appear in the written examination, to the original payment mode.
Salary
Selected candidates will receive a basic pay of Rs 35,400 in Level-9, Cell-1 of the ORSP Rules, 2017 Pay Matrix, plus Dearness Allowance (DA) and other allowances.
Selection Process
Selection will be made in two stages:
- Written Examination (Objective, MCQ) — 400 marks
- Skill Test in Computer (Practical, qualifying) — 50 marks
The written examination has three papers carrying a total of 400 marks. Each question carries 1 mark, and 0.25 marks are deducted for every wrong answer. The minimum qualifying marks in each paper are 35% for UR/SEBC, 30% for SC/ST and 28% for PwD candidates. Candidates shortlisted for the skill test — about 1.5 times the number of vacancies — must score at least 40% in the computer skill test to qualify. The final merit list will be prepared on the aggregate written-examination marks out of 400; ties will be broken first by Paper-I (General Knowledge) marks and then by age. The examination will be held at centres in 33 zones of the state.
Exam Pattern
| Part | Details | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Written Examination (Papers I, II and III) | Objective MCQ, 1 mark per question | 400 |
| Skill Test in Computer (Practical) | Qualifying, minimum 40% marks | 50 |
Note: the paper-wise syllabus is given in Appendix-I of the official notification — candidates should read the official notification before applying.
Documents Required
- SEBC caste certificate issued on or after 10 November 2023 (for SEBC candidates)
- Permanent disability certificate (for PwD candidates)
- Sports identity card/certificate issued by the Director of Sports, Odisha (for sportspersons)
- Ex-servicemen certificate
- Odia pass certificate, where Odia was not passed in HSC/Matriculation
- Bank account details: account number, IFSC, account holder name and bank branch
How to Apply Online
- Visit the official OPSC website at https://www.opsc.gov.in.
- Open the online application form for ASO Recruitment 2026 (Advt. No. 15 of 2026-27).
- Register and fill in the application form — the link is open from 9 November to 30 November 2026, 5:00 PM.
- Submit only one online application; multiple applications through multiple PPSAN accounts will be rejected.
- Pay the Rs 700 examination fee online (SC, ST and PwD candidates are exempted).
- Upload the required certificates where reservation is claimed.
- Furnish bank account details for the fee refund in the application form.
Important Links
| Link | Details |
|---|---|
| Official notification PDF | See Advt. No. 15 of 2026-27 on the OPSC website — https://www.opsc.gov.in |
| Apply online | https://www.opsc.gov.in |
| Official website | https://www.opsc.gov.in |
Note: candidates should read the official notification (Advt. No. 15 of 2026-27) on the OPSC website before applying — this article is based on that notification.
Other Recruitments
Check other government recruitments: IISER Thiruvananthapuram Non-Teaching Recruitment 2026: 8 Posts, CDSCO Drugs Controller Recruitment 2026: 14 Posts and NEIGRIHMS Senior Resident Doctor Recruitment 2026: 58 Posts.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. How many vacancies are there in OPSC ASO Recruitment 2026?
There are 340 vacancies, of which 114 are for women candidates.
Q2. What is the last date to apply for OPSC ASO Recruitment 2026?
The last date to submit the online application and fee is 30 November 2026, up to 5:00 PM. Applications opened on 9 November 2026.
Q3. What qualification is needed for the OPSC ASO post?
A Bachelor’s Degree in any discipline from a recognised University, adequate knowledge of Computer Application, and the ability to speak, read and write Odia.
Q4. What is the age limit for OPSC ASO Recruitment 2026?
Candidates must be 21 to 42 years old as on 1 January 2026. Age relaxation applies to reserved categories as per the rules.
Q5. What is the salary of an OPSC Assistant Section Officer?
The basic pay is Rs 35,400 (Level-9, Cell-1, ORSP Rules 2017), plus DA and other allowances.
Q6. When will the OPSC ASO written examination be held?
The written examination is tentatively scheduled for 17 January 2027 (Sunday).
Q7. What is the application fee for OPSC ASO Recruitment 2026?
Rs 700 for candidates other than SC, ST and PwD; SC, ST and PwD candidates are exempted.
Q8. How will candidates be selected for OPSC ASO Recruitment 2026?
Through a 400-mark written examination (three papers, MCQ) followed by a 50-mark qualifying computer skill test.
