The Odisha Public Service Commission (OPSC) has announced OPSC ASO Recruitment 2026 for 340 Assistant Section Officer (ASO) vacancies under the Odisha Secretariat Service Cadre, Home Department, Government of Odisha. The recruitment has been announced through Advertisement No. 15 of 2026-27.
Eligible candidates holding a Bachelor’s Degree from a recognised university can apply online through the official OPSC website. The online application process will begin on 9 November 2026, and the last date to submit the application form is 30 November 2026 (5:00 PM).
This is an excellent opportunity for graduates looking for a Group-B government job in Odisha. Selected candidates will receive a basic salary of ₹35,400 per month under Pay Level-9, along with applicable government allowances.
Candidates interested in this recruitment should check the complete details regarding vacancies, educational qualifications, age limits, application fees, selection procedures, examination patterns and important dates below.
OPSC ASO Recruitment 2026: Overview
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Recruitment Organization | Odisha Public Service Commission (OPSC) |
| Advertisement Number | 15 of 2026-27 |
| Post Name | Assistant Section Officer (ASO) |
| Department | Home Department |
| Service Cadre | Odisha Secretariat Service Cadre |
| Job Category | Group-B |
| Total Vacancies | 340 |
| Job Location | Odisha |
| Application Mode | Online |
| Registration Start Date | 09 November 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply | 30 November 2026 |
| Salary | ₹35,400 (Basic Pay) |
| Pay Level | Level-9 |
| Selection Process | Written Examination and Computer Skill Test |
| Tentative Exam Date | 17 January 2027 |
| Official Website | opsc.gov.in |
| Join Whatsapp Channel | Join Now |
OPSC ASO Vacancy 2026: Category-Wise Details
OPSC has announced a total of 340 vacancies for the Assistant Section Officer post. The category-wise vacancy distribution is given below.
| Category | Total Vacancies | Women Vacancies |
|---|---|---|
| UR | 144 | 48 |
| SEBC | 38 | 13 |
| SC | 81 | 27 |
| ST | 77 | 26 |
| Total | 340 | 114 |
Additional Reservation
The recruitment also provides reservation for eligible candidates belonging to special categories.
- Persons with Disabilities (PwD): 25 Posts
- Ex-Servicemen: 19 Posts
- Sports Persons: 3 Posts
These reservations will be adjusted against the respective social categories according to the applicable government rules and the official notification.
OPSC ASO Eligibility Criteria 2026
Candidates must fulfil the prescribed educational qualification, Odia language requirements and age criteria before applying for OPSC ASO Recruitment 2026.
1. Educational Qualification
Applicants must possess the following qualifications:
- A Bachelor’s Degree in any discipline from a recognised university or institution.
- An equivalent qualification recognised by the competent authority will also be accepted.
- Candidates must have adequate knowledge of Computer Applications as prescribed in the official notification.
Candidates from any academic stream can apply if they satisfy the remaining eligibility conditions.
2. Odia Language Qualification
Candidates must be able to speak, read and write Odia.
Applicants must fulfil at least one of the following conditions:
- Passed the Middle School examination with Odia as a language subject.
- Passed the Matriculation or equivalent examination with Odia as the medium of examination in a non-language subject.
- Passed Odia as a language subject in the final examination of Class VII or above.
- Passed an Odia language test equivalent to the Middle English School Standard conducted by the School and Mass Education Department.
Candidates should keep the relevant Odia language qualification certificates ready during the application and document verification process.
OPSC ASO Age Limit 2026
The age limit for OPSC Assistant Section Officer Recruitment 2026 is as follows:
| Age Criteria | Age |
|---|---|
| Minimum Age | 21 Years |
| Maximum Age | 42 Years |
| Age Calculation Date | 01 January 2026 |
Candidates must have attained 21 years of age and must not have exceeded 42 years as on 1 January 2026, subject to applicable age relaxation rules.
Age Relaxation
Reserved-category candidates will receive upper-age relaxation as prescribed in the recruitment notification.
| Category | Age Relaxation |
|---|---|
| SEBC | 5 Years |
| SC | 5 Years |
| ST | 5 Years |
| Women Candidates | 5 Years |
| Ex-Servicemen | 5 Years |
| PwD (40% or more permanent disability) | 10 Years |
PwD candidates belonging to SEBC, SC or ST categories may receive cumulative age relaxation of up to 15 years, subject to the conditions mentioned in the official advertisement.
OPSC ASO Application Fee 2026
Candidates are required to pay the prescribed examination fee while submitting their online applications.
| Category | Application Fee |
|---|---|
| General / UR | ₹700 |
| SEBC | ₹700 |
| SC | Exempted |
| ST | Exempted |
| PwD | Exempted |
Important: The examination fee will be refunded only to candidates who actually appear in the written examination, subject to the conditions specified by OPSC. Applicants should provide the required bank account details in their application forms.
OPSC ASO Salary 2026
Candidates selected for the Assistant Section Officer post will receive an attractive salary under the Odisha Revised Scale of Pay Rules, 2017.
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Post Name | Assistant Section Officer |
| Pay Level | Level-9 |
| Pay Cell | Cell-1 |
| Initial Basic Pay | ₹35,400 |
| Pay Structure | ORSP Rules, 2017 |
Apart from the basic salary, appointed candidates will be eligible for Dearness Allowance (DA) and other allowances as admissible under the Government of Odisha rules.
OPSC ASO Selection Process 2026
The selection process for Assistant Section Officer posts consists of two major stages:
- Written Examination (Objective Type)
- Computer Skill Test (Practical)
Candidates must qualify in the required stages to be considered for final selection.
OPSC ASO Written Examination Pattern
The written examination will carry a total of 400 marks and consist of three papers.
| Paper | Subject | Marks | Questions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper I | General Awareness | 100 | 100 |
| Paper II (A) | Reasoning & Mental Ability | 50 | 50 |
| Paper II (B) | Mathematics | 50 | 50 |
| Paper III (A) | English | 100 | 100 |
| Paper III (B) | Odia | 100 | 100 |
| Total | 400 | 400 |
Each question will carry one mark.
Negative Marking: For every incorrect answer, 0.25 marks will be deducted from the marks awarded for correct answers.
Minimum Qualifying Marks
Candidates must secure the prescribed minimum qualifying marks separately in each written examination paper.
| Category | Minimum Qualifying Marks |
|---|---|
| UR / SEBC | 35% |
| SC / ST | 30% |
| PwD | 28% |
For Ex-Servicemen and Sports Persons, qualifying marks will be applicable according to their respective social categories.
Computer Skill Test – 50 Marks
Candidates shortlisted based on their written examination performance will be called for the practical Computer Skill Test.
Important details:
- Total Marks: 50
- Examination Type: Practical
- Minimum Qualifying Marks: 40%
- Nature of Test: Qualifying
The final merit list will be prepared based on the aggregate marks obtained in the 400-mark written examination by candidates who successfully qualify in the Computer Skill Test.
OPSC ASO Syllabus 2026
Candidates preparing for the examination should understand the complete syllabus to plan their preparation effectively.
The syllabus covers General Awareness, Reasoning, Mathematics, English, Odia and Computer Applications.
Paper I: General Awareness
Important topics include:
- Current National and International Events
- History of British Rule in India
- Indian Freedom Struggle
- Indian Constitution
- World Physical Geography
- Physical Geography of India and Odisha
- Governance, Transparency and Accountability
- E-Governance
- Role of Civil Services in Democracy
- Indian Economy, Planning, Growth and Development
- Employment and Poverty Alleviation
- Resource Mobilisation and Inflation
- Defence and Indian Armed Forces
- Scientific Inventions and Everyday Applications of Science
- Environment and Ecology
- Biodiversity and Climate Change
- Important National and International Institutions
Paper II (A): Reasoning and Mental Ability
Verbal Reasoning:
- Number Series
- Alphabet Series
- Direction Sense Test
- Coding and Decoding
- Number Ranking
- Arithmetic Reasoning
- Age Calculation Problems
Non-Verbal Reasoning:
- Non-Verbal Series
- Mirror Images
- Cubes and Dice
- Grouping Identical Figures
- Embedded Figures
Paper II (B): Mathematics
The Mathematics section will cover topics generally based on the Class 10 standard.
- Arithmetic
- Algebra
- Mensuration (2D and 3D)
- Statistics
- Probability
Paper III (A): English
Important topics include:
- English Grammar
- Vocabulary
- Verbs, Prepositions and Adverbs
- Subject-Verb Agreement
- Error Correction and Recognition
- Tenses and Articles
- Synonyms and Antonyms
- Reading Comprehension
- Sentence Rearrangement
Paper III (B): Odia
The Odia language section will cover:
- Odia Grammar
- Odia Vocabulary
- Language-related Questions
- Reading Comprehension
- Sentence Rearrangement
Paper IV: Computer Skill Test
The practical Computer Skill Test will cover the following areas:
- Windows Operating System
- MS Word
- MS Excel
- MS PowerPoint
- MS Access
- Internet and Online Services
Candidates should practise basic computer operations and office applications before appearing for the skill test.
OPSC ASO Examination Date 2027
According to the recruitment information, the written examination is tentatively scheduled for January 2027.
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Examination | OPSC ASO Written Examination |
| Tentative Date | 17 January 2027 |
| Day | Sunday |
| Examination Centres | 33 Zones Across Odisha |
Candidates can select two examination zones in order of preference while filling out the application form.
The final examination centre will be allotted by OPSC depending on availability and administrative requirements.
The Commission will publish detailed examination instructions and the final schedule separately on its official website.
Documents Required for OPSC ASO Online Application
Candidates should keep the following documents ready before filling out the online application form.
- HSC or equivalent certificate as proof of age.
- Intermediate / +2 certificate or Diploma certificate.
- Bachelor’s Degree certificate.
- Educational mark sheets.
- SC / ST / SEBC caste certificate, if applicable.
- Odia language qualification certificate.
- Permanent Disability Certificate, if applicable.
- Sports Identity Card or certificate issued by the Director of Sports, Odisha.
- Ex-Servicemen Release Certificate and required affidavit, if applicable.
- No Objection Certificate (NOC) for applicable government employees.
- Photo identity proof, preferably Aadhaar Card.
- Recent passport-size photograph.
- Full signature.
- Left-Hand Thumb Impression (LTI).
Important: All certificates must satisfy the conditions specified in the official advertisement. The SEBC certificate must be issued on or after 10 November 2023, as mentioned in the recruitment information.
How to Apply Online for OPSC ASO Recruitment 2026?
Eligible candidates can apply online through the official website of the Odisha Public Service Commission.
Follow these steps to complete the application process:
- Visit the official website: https://www.opsc.gov.in/
- Open the recruitment or advertisement section.
- Find the OPSC ASO Recruitment 2026 notification.
- Read the official advertisement and application instructions carefully.
- Complete the online registration process.
- Enter your personal information and educational qualifications.
- Provide the required category and Odia language qualification details.
- Upload your photograph, signature, LTI and other required documents.
- Pay the applicable examination fee.
- Carefully verify all the information entered in the application form.
- Submit the application form.
- Note down your Permanent Public Service Account Number (PPSAN).
- Download and print the final submitted application form for future reference.
Candidates are advised to complete their applications well before the closing date to avoid last-minute technical problems.
OPSC ASO Recruitment 2026: Important Dates
Candidates should remember the following important dates related to the recruitment.
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification Date | 05 November 2026 |
| Online Application Start Date | 09 November 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply Online | 30 November 2026 |
| Application Closing Time | 05:00 PM |
| Written Examination | 17 January 2027 (Tentative) |
| Admit Card Release | To Be Notified |
| Result Date | To Be Notified |
Important Links for OPSC ASO Recruitment 2026
Candidates can use the following official website links to access recruitment information and application services.
| Particulars | Link |
|---|---|
| Official Notification | Check Now |
| Apply Online | Apply Now |
| Official Website | https://www.opsc.gov.in/ |
| Get Updates on Whatsapp | Click Here |
Note: The online application link is expected to become available when the registration process starts. Candidates should use the official OPSC portal for registration and application submission.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. How many vacancies are available in OPSC ASO Recruitment 2026?
A total of 340 Assistant Section Officer vacancies have been announced by the Odisha Public Service Commission.
2. What is the educational qualification for OPSC ASO Recruitment 2026?
Candidates must have a Bachelor’s Degree in any discipline from a recognised university along with the required computer knowledge.
3. What is the age limit for OPSC ASO 2026?
The minimum age is 21 years and the maximum age is 42 years as on 1 January 2026, subject to applicable age relaxation.
4. When will the OPSC ASO online application start?
The online application process will begin on 9 November 2026.
5. What is the last date to apply for OPSC ASO Recruitment 2026?
The last date to submit the online application is 30 November 2026 up to 5:00 PM.
6. What is the salary of an OPSC Assistant Section Officer?
The initial basic salary is ₹35,400 per month under Pay Level-9, along with applicable allowances.
7. What is the selection process for OPSC ASO Recruitment 2026?
The selection process consists of a 400-mark written examination followed by a 50-mark qualifying Computer Skill Test.
8. Is there negative marking in the OPSC ASO examination?
Yes. There is a negative marking of 0.25 marks for every incorrect answer in the objective written examination.
9. When will the OPSC ASO written examination be conducted?
The written examination is tentatively scheduled for 17 January 2027.
10. Where can candidates apply for OPSC ASO Recruitment 2026?
Eligible candidates can apply online through the official OPSC website at https://www.opsc.gov.in/.
Conclusion
OPSC ASO Recruitment 2026 offers an excellent opportunity for graduates who want to build a career in the Odisha Government Secretariat Service. With 340 vacancies, a Level-9 pay structure and opportunities for candidates from different academic backgrounds, this recruitment is an important opportunity for government job aspirants in Odisha.
Interested candidates should carefully check the educational qualification, age limit, Odia language requirements and examination pattern before submitting their applications.
The online registration process will begin on 9 November 2026, and the last date to apply is 30 November 2026 (5:00 PM).
Candidates are advised to read the complete official notification and submit their applications within the prescribed deadline.
Disclaimer: This article is intended for informational purposes only. Candidates should verify all eligibility conditions, vacancy details, application fees and examination dates through the official OPSC notification before applying. www.odiayojana.in is not affiliated with the Odisha Public Service Commission or the Government of Odisha.
Karunakar Mohanta is the creator of OdiaYojana.in, a leading blog that provides the latest updates on government schemes, scholarships, and official notifications in Odia. With a mission to simplify complex government information, he helps Odia citizens stay informed and empowered. Follow him to stay updated on PM Yojanas, state benefits, and important deadlines.
