OPSC OCS Eligibility Criteria 2026: Age Limit, Educational Qualification & Odia Language Rules
The OPSC OCS Eligibility Criteria 2026 has been officially released along with the notification for the Odisha Civil Services (OCS) Examination 2026. Candidates planning to apply for this prestigious state civil services exam must carefully check the age limit, educational qualification, Odia language requirement, and nationality conditions before submitting the application form.
The Odisha Civil Services Examination is conducted annually by the Odisha Public Service Commission to recruit eligible candidates for Group A and Group B administrative services under the Odisha Government.
OPSC OCS 2026 – Key Highlights
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Applications are open for Group A & Group B services
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Minimum qualification: Bachelor’s Degree
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Age limit: 21 to 42 years
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Odia language proficiency is mandatory
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Only Indian citizens are eligible
OPSC OCS Eligibility Criteria 2026 – Overview
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Exam Name | Odisha Civil Services (OCS) Examination 2026 |
| Conducting Authority | Odisha Public Service Commission (OPSC) |
| Services | Group A & Group B |
| Minimum Age | 21 Years |
| Maximum Age | 42 Years |
| Educational Qualification | Bachelor’s Degree |
| Language Requirement | Odia |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Exam Mode | Preliminary, Mains & Interview |
OPSC OCS Age Limit 2026
To be eligible for OPSC OCS 2026, a candidate must satisfy the following age conditions:
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Minimum Age: 21 years
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Maximum Age: 42 years
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Age Cut-off Date: 1 January 2025
This means the candidate must not have been born earlier than 2 January 1983 and not later than 1 January 2004.
OPSC OCS Age Relaxation 2026
The upper age limit is relaxable for reserved categories as per Odisha Government rules.
| Category | Age Relaxation |
|---|---|
| SC / ST / SEBC | 5 years |
| Women (All Categories) | 5 years |
| Ex-Servicemen | 5 years (actual service period) |
| PwBD (40% or more disability) | 10 years |
| PwBD (SC/ST/SEBC) | Up to 15 years |
🔔 Note: Age relaxation benefits are applicable only if valid documents are produced during verification.
OPSC OCS Educational Qualification 2026
Candidates must hold a Bachelor’s Degree from:
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A University incorporated by an Act of the Central or State Legislature in India, or
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An Educational Institution established by an Act of Parliament, or
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A University recognised by the University Grants Commission (UGC), or
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A Foreign University approved by the Central Government
There is no restriction on the stream or subject of graduation unless specifically mentioned for a service.
Odia Language Proficiency – Mandatory Condition
Knowledge of Odia language is compulsory for all OPSC OCS applicants. A candidate must be able to read, write, and speak Odia and must have fulfilled any one of the following conditions:
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Passed Middle School Examination with Odia as a language subject, or
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Passed High School Certificate (HSC) or equivalent exam with Odia as the medium, or
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Passed Class VII examination with Odia as a language subject from a recognised school, or
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Passed a special Odia language test conducted by the School & Mass Education Department, Government of Odisha
OPSC OCS Nationality Requirement
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The candidate must be a citizen of India
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Foreign nationals are not eligible to apply for OPSC OCS 2026
Services Covered Under OPSC OCS Examination
Candidates qualifying the OCS exam may be appointed to various prestigious services, including:
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Odisha Administrative Service (OAS)
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Odisha Police Service (OPS)
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Odisha Revenue Service
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Odisha Taxation & Accounts Service
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Odisha Labour Service
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Odisha Excise Service
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Odisha Cooperative Service
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Odisha Transport Service
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Odisha Tourism Service
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Odisha Skill Development & Employment Service
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Odisha Welfare Service
Important Advice for Candidates
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Eligibility conditions are strictly verified at the document verification stage
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Any mismatch in age, qualification, or Odia language proof can lead to direct disqualification
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Candidates should ensure they meet all criteria before applying
NaukriBee Insight
Many candidates clear the OCS written exams but fail during document verification due to Odia language proof or age-related issues.
👉 Double-check your eligibility before applying — this exam leaves no room for correction later.
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