Odisha Public Service Commission (OPSC) has released a fresh recruitment notification for 340 Assistant Section Officer (ASO), Group-B posts in the Odisha Secretariat Service under the Home Department. Advertisement No. 15 of 2026-27 was published on 5 November 2026, and the online application window will open on 9 November 2026 and close at 5:00 PM on 30 November 2026. The recruitment offers a major state-government opportunity for graduates seeking administrative work in the Odisha Secretariat.
The notified vacancies include 144 Unreserved, 38 SEBC, 81 Scheduled Caste and 77 Scheduled Tribe posts, with 114 positions reserved for women within the applicable categories. At a basic level, candidates need a recognised bachelor’s degree, adequate knowledge of computer applications and the prescribed ability to read, write and speak Odia. The post carries Level-9, Cell-1 pay with an initial basic pay of ₹35,400, plus admissible allowances. Selection is through a 400-mark objective written examination followed by a 50-mark qualifying Computer Skill Test. OPSC has also published the examination structure, including paper-wise marks, duration and negative marking, so candidates can plan preparation from the current recruitment scheme rather than relying on an older pattern.
Recruitment Overview
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Recruiting authority | Odisha Public Service Commission |
| Department / cadre | Odisha Secretariat Service, Home Department |
| Post | Assistant Section Officer (Group-B) |
| Advertisement | 15 of 2026-27 |
| Notification date | 5 November 2026 |
| Total vacancies | 340 |
| Application start | 9 November 2026 |
| Last date | 30 November 2026, 5:00 PM |
| Tentative written exam | 17 January 2027 |
| Pay | Level-9, Cell-1; initial basic ₹35,400 |
| Job location | Odisha |
| Application mode | Online |
Vacancy Details
| Category | Vacancies |
|---|---|
| Unreserved | 144 |
| SEBC | 38 |
| Scheduled Caste | 81 |
| Scheduled Tribe | 77 |
| Total | 340 |
The recruitment also provides 114 vacancies for women within the notified reservation structure.
Basic Eligibility
Candidates should possess a Bachelor’s Degree in any discipline from a recognised university or an equivalent qualification.
Applicants must also have:
- adequate knowledge of computer applications as prescribed by OPSC; and
- the required ability to speak, read and write Odia, supported by the prescribed Odia-language qualification.
Age Limit
Candidates must be at least 21 years and not above 42 years as on 1 January 2026.
Notified relaxations include:
- SEBC: 5 years
- SC/ST: 5 years
- Women: 5 years
- Ex-Servicemen: 5 years, subject to the applicable rule
- PwD with 40% or more disability: 10 years
- Eligible PwD candidates belonging to SEBC/SC/ST may receive cumulative relaxation as prescribed
Salary / Pay
The ASO post carries Level-9, Cell-1 of the ORSP Rules, 2017 Pay Matrix, with an initial basic pay of ₹35,400 plus DA and other admissible allowances.
Application Fee
| Category | Fee |
|---|---|
| Candidates other than SC, ST and PwD | ₹700 |
| SC / ST / PwD | Exempted |
The notified fee is paid online. Candidates should read the current notice for the fee-refund condition linked to actual appearance in the written examination.
Selection Process
Selection has two stages:
- Written Examination — 400 marks
- Computer Skill Test (Practical) — 50 marks, qualifying
Candidates are shortlisted for the Computer Skill Test on the basis of written-exam performance. The Computer Skill Test is qualifying in nature and requires the prescribed minimum qualifying standard.
Final ranking is based on the aggregate marks obtained in the written examination, subject to qualifying the skill test and fulfilling all eligibility/document requirements.
OPSC ASO Exam Pattern 2026
| Paper / Stage | Subject | Questions | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paper I | General Awareness | 100 | 100 | 1 hour 30 minutes |
| Paper II | Reasoning & Mental Ability | 50 | 50 | rowspan with Mathematics |
| Paper II | Mathematics — 10th Standard level | 50 | 50 | 1 hour 30 minutes total |
| Paper III | English | 100 | 100 | rowspan with Odia |
| Paper III | Odia | 100 | 100 | 2 hours total |
| Skill Test | Computer Application — Practical | 5 tasks | 50 | 1 hour |
Key current-cycle rules:
- Written papers are objective / multiple-choice.
- Each objective question carries 1 mark.
- 0.25 mark is deducted for every wrong answer.
- The written examination carries 400 marks in total.
- The Computer Skill Test is qualifying; at least 40% is required to qualify it.
- Minimum qualifying marks in each written paper are 35% for UR/SEBC, 30% for SC/ST and 28% for PwD.
- The tentative written examination date is 17 January 2027.
OPSC ASO Syllabus 2026
The current ASO examination scheme covers the following official subject areas.
Paper I — General Awareness
Preparation should cover current national and international events, Indian history and the freedom movement, Constitution and governance, Indian and world geography including Odisha, economy and development, science and technology, defence, environment, ecology, biodiversity, climate change, and important national and international institutions.
Paper II — Reasoning & Mental Ability
Core areas include number and alphabet series, coding-decoding, ranking, arithmetic reasoning, direction sense, analogy, age-based problems, mirror images, cubes and dice, grouping and embedded figures, and other standard mental-ability questions.
Paper II — Mathematics
The mathematics portion is at 10th-standard level and covers arithmetic, algebra, mensuration, statistics and probability. Candidate preparation should include percentage, ratio and proportion, average, profit and loss, simple and compound interest, time and work, and time-speed-distance.
Paper III — English
The English section covers grammar, vocabulary, verbs, tenses, prepositions, adverbs, subject-verb agreement, articles, synonyms, antonyms, error correction, comprehension and sentence rearrangement.
Paper III — Odia
The Odia section tests grammar, vocabulary, language usage, sentence rearrangement, comprehension and related language skills under the prescribed OPSC syllabus.
Computer Skill Test
The practical qualifying test covers basic computer operations and applications such as:
- Windows
- MS Word
- MS Excel
- MS PowerPoint
- MS Access
- Internet services and usage
Candidates should follow any later OPSC syllabus clarification or revised examination notice if the Commission issues one.
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification published | 5 November 2026 |
| Online application starts | 9 November 2026 |
| Last date to apply / pay fee | 30 November 2026, 5:00 PM |
| Tentative written examination | 17 January 2027 |
| Computer Skill Test | To be notified after written-exam shortlisting |
How to Apply for OPSC ASO Recruitment 2026
- Visit the official OPSC website and open Advertisement No. 15 of 2026-27.
- Read the current advertisement and confirm graduation, computer and Odia-language eligibility.
- Check your age against the notified cut-off date. The Age Calculator can help with a preliminary calculation before comparing it with the official rule.
- Keep graduation, category, Odia-language and other certificates ready. The Government Job Document Checklist can help organise the required records.
- Open the OPSC e-Chayan portal when applications begin on 9 November 2026.
- Complete the online application carefully and submit only one valid application.
- Upload photograph, signature and required certificates in the prescribed format. The Photo & Signature Guide can help prepare upload files.
- Pay the applicable examination fee unless exempt.
- Review all details and submit the form before 5:00 PM on 30 November 2026.
- Save the submitted application and payment details, then begin preparation using the current exam pattern and syllabus above.
Documents to Keep Ready
- Bachelor’s degree certificate and marksheets
- Date-of-birth proof
- Odia-language qualification proof, where required
- SEBC / SC / ST certificate, where applicable
- PwD certificate, where applicable
- Ex-Servicemen certificate, where applicable
- Sports certificate, where applicable
- Photograph and signature
- Bank account details required by the application process
- Other documents specified in the current OPSC advertisement
Candidate Notes
- This is a fresh Advertisement dated 5 November 2026.
- Applications do not open until 9 November 2026.
- The number of vacancies is subject to change under the official recruitment conditions.
- Candidates should use the current 2026 exam pattern, not an older coaching-site pattern.
- OPSC’s official website and e-Chayan portal remain the controlling sources for corrigenda, admit cards and examination updates.
Important Links
| Link | Purpose |
|---|---|
| OPSC Official Website | Advertisement and official updates |
| OPSC e-Chayan Portal | Online application portal |
FAQ
How many OPSC ASO vacancies are available?
There are 340 Assistant Section Officer posts.
When do applications open?
Online applications open on 9 November 2026.
What is the last date to apply?
The last date is 30 November 2026 at 5:00 PM.
What is the basic qualification?
Candidates need a recognised bachelor’s degree, adequate computer knowledge and the prescribed Odia-language proficiency.
What is the exam pattern?
The written examination has three papers carrying 400 marks, followed by a 50-mark qualifying Computer Skill Test.
Is there negative marking?
Yes. 0.25 mark is deducted for each wrong answer in the objective written examination.
What is the OPSC ASO syllabus?
The syllabus covers General Awareness, Reasoning & Mental Ability, 10th-standard Mathematics, English, Odia and practical Computer Applications.
When is the written examination?
OPSC has tentatively scheduled the written examination for 17 January 2027.