OPSC ASO Recruitment 2026: Apply Online for 340 Assistant Section Officer Posts
Government Job • Odisha Public Service Commission (OPSC)
● Applications Open: November 9, 2026
● 340 Group-B Posts
● 340 Group-B Posts
The Odisha Public Service Commission (OPSC) has released Advertisement No. 15 of 2026-27, dated November 5, 2026, for 340 Assistant Section Officer (ASO) posts in Group-B of the Odisha Secretariat Service Cadre under the Home Department, Government of Odisha. Online applications opened on November 9, 2026, and close on November 30, 2026, at 5:00 PM through the official OPSC website at opsc.gov.in. Any graduate in any discipline can apply, provided the candidate also meets the computer knowledge and Odia language conditions. The written examination is tentatively scheduled for January 17, 2027 (Sunday), followed by document verification and a qualifying Computer Skill Test. The posts carry a pay of Rs. 35,400 in Level-9, Cell-1 of the Pay Matrix under the Odisha Revised Scale of Pay (ORSP) Rules, 2017, plus dearness allowance and other allowances. The age limit is 21 to 42 years as on January 1, 2026, with relaxations as per Odisha Government rules. The details in this post were checked against the official OPSC website, whose What’s New section lists “Assistant Section Officer (Advt. No. 15 of 2026-27) – Advertisement Notice” dated November 5, 2026, and against the notification summaries published by JobShouter, GovtJobsAlert, Testbook, PW Live and CareerIndia, which agree on the vacancies, dates, fee, age limit, pay and selection method; candidates should confirm the post-wise and category-wise details, and the detailed syllabus in Appendix-I, in the official notification on opsc.gov.in before applying.
⏳ Application Window Closes In
Applications close on November 30, 2026, at 5:00 PM. The examination fee of Rs. 700 (where payable) is refunded only to candidates who actually appear in the written examination — submit well before the last hour to avoid last-minute technical problems.
20Days
06Hours
50Minutes
00Seconds
OPSC ASO Recruitment 2026 Vacancy Details
Unreserved: 144 posts | Scheduled Caste: 81 posts | Scheduled Tribe: 77 posts | SEBC: 38 posts | Total: 340 posts, including 114 posts reserved for women.
| Category | Vacancies | Women (within) |
|---|---|---|
| Unreserved (UR) | 144 | 48 |
| Socially and Educationally Backward Classes (SEBC) | 38 | 13 |
| Scheduled Caste (SC) | 81 | 27 |
| Scheduled Tribe (ST) | 77 | 26 |
| Total | 340 | 114 |
| Horizontal Reservation (within the categories above) | Posts | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Sports Persons | 3 | 1 for women |
| Ex-Servicemen | 19 | 8 current and 11 backlog |
| Persons with Disabilities – Blindness or Low Vision | 3 | 1 for women |
| Persons with Disabilities – Hearing Impairment | 9 | 4 for women; 6 are backlog |
| Persons with Disabilities – Locomotor Disability | 3 | 1 for women |
| Persons with Disabilities – Autism, Intellectual Disability, Learning Disability, Mental Illness, Multiple Disabilities | 10 | 3 for women; 8 are backlog |
| All Persons with Disabilities combined | 25 | 9 for women; disability of 40% or more |
Vacancy note: the horizontal quotas above are adjusted inside the category totals — a PwD, Ex-Serviceman or Sports Person candidate is counted against the social category he or she belongs to. Unfilled women’s posts go to male candidates of the same category, and SC and ST seats cannot be exchanged. The Government can change the number of vacancies without notice. Do not confuse this recruitment with the separate OPSC Assistant Executive Engineer (AEE) recruitment under Advertisement No. 13 of 2026-27 for 758 Group-A posts, which is filled on GATE scores with no written examination — Advertisement No. 15 of 2026-27 is a different, written-examination-based recruitment. Note also that some older articles still show the pre-notification expectation of 350+ vacancies and an age limit of 21 to 32 years; the figures in this post are from the actual notification dated November 5, 2026: 340 vacancies and an age limit of 21 to 42 years.
OPSC ASO Recruitment 2026, Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification released (Advertisement No. 15 of 2026-27) | November 5, 2026 |
| Online application starts | November 9, 2026 |
| Last date to apply online and pay the fee | November 30, 2026, 5:00 PM |
| Age and qualification cut-off date | January 1, 2026 |
| Written examination (tentative) | January 17, 2027 (Sunday) |
| Document verification and Computer Skill Test | To be announced |
Date note: the written examination date of January 17, 2027, is tentative and will be confirmed by OPSC on its website; this post does not present it as final. The document verification and Computer Skill Test dates have not been announced — this post does not invent them.
Eligibility for OPSC ASO Recruitment 2026
Qualification and age are counted as on January 1, 2026. The posts are in the Odisha Secretariat Service Cadre under the Home Department, Government of Odisha.
🎓 Education, Computer Knowledge and Odia
A Bachelor’s degree in any discipline from a recognised university, or an equivalent qualification, plus adequate knowledge of Computer Application as specified in the Schedule of the notification, and the ability to speak, read and write Odia. Odia can be proved by passing Middle School with Odia as a language subject, or Matriculation with Odia as the medium of examination in a non-language subject, or Odia as a language subject in the final examination of Class VII or above, or a test in Odia at Middle English School standard conducted by the School and Mass Education Department. If your High School certificate does not show Odia, you may submit a Headmaster’s or Principal’s certificate, or an Odia Test Pass Certificate, issued on or before the last date of application.
🎂 Age Limit (as on January 1, 2026)
21 to 42 years — born not earlier than January 2, 1984, and not later than January 1, 2005. The date of birth in the High School Certificate is the only one accepted. Relaxation: 5 years for SEBC, SC, ST, women and Ex-Servicemen (upper age 47); 10 years for Persons with 40% or more permanent disability (upper age 52); 15 years cumulative for PwD candidates of SEBC, SC or ST (upper age 57). A candidate eligible for more than one relaxation gets only one — the most beneficial. SC, ST and SEBC benefits are for candidates of Odisha only.
💰 Pay and Service Terms
Rs. 35,400 per month in Level-9, Cell-1 of the Pay Matrix under the Odisha Revised Scale of Pay (ORSP) Rules, 2017, plus dearness allowance and other allowances as sanctioned by the Government of Odisha. Selected candidates are covered by the Contributory Pension Scheme (National Pension System), and a medical examination by a Medical Board is required before appointment.
📋 Certificates That Can Cancel Your Form
SEBC certificates issued before November 10, 2023, are not valid, and OBC certificates are not accepted in place of SEBC certificates. A woman’s caste certificate must say “daughter of” — a certificate saying “wife of” is liable to be rejected. Certificates issued after November 30, 2026, will not be accepted. Sports proof must be from the Director of Sports, Odisha, only. Children of Ex-Servicemen cannot apply against Ex-Servicemen vacancies, and Ex-Servicemen already in regular State Government civil employment can claim only the age relaxation, not the reservation.
Eligibility note: the qualification, age limit, pay and certificate rules above are taken from the notification summaries checked, which agree with each other and with the official OPSC listing of the advertisement. Confirm the exact eligibility conditions in the official notification on opsc.gov.in before applying.
Application Fee
The examination fee is Rs. 700 for General and SEBC candidates. SC, ST and PwD candidates are exempted. The fee is paid online while filling the application form.
| Category | Application Fee |
|---|---|
| General (UR) and SEBC | Rs. 700 |
| Scheduled Caste (SC) and Scheduled Tribe (ST) | Nil — exempted |
| Persons with Disabilities (PwD) | Nil — exempted |
Fee note: the fee is refunded only to candidates who actually appear in the written examination, after the examination is over, to the original payment mode. It is not refundable to those who do not attend. Candidates paying the fee must enter bank account details (account number, IFSC code, account holder name and bank branch) in the form for the refund. A form without the fee, where it applies, is incomplete and rejected. Apply only through the official OPSC website at opsc.gov.in, and treat any demand for payment outside the official portal as fraud.
Selection Process and Exam Pattern
Selection is through a written examination of 400 marks, followed by document verification, a qualifying Computer Skill Test of 50 marks, and a medical examination. The final merit list is based only on the aggregate marks of the written examination.
| Paper | Subject | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Paper I | General Awareness | 100 |
| Paper II | Reasoning and Mental Ability (50) and Mathematics, Class 10 level (50) | 100 |
| Paper III | English (100) and Odia (100) | 200 |
| Written examination total | Objective (MCQ), 1 mark per question, 0.25 mark deducted for each wrong answer | 400 |
| Computer Skill Test | Practical, qualifying only — minimum 40% required, not counted in final merit | 50 |
1. Written Examination (400 marks)
Tentatively on January 17, 2027, at centres in all 33 zones of Odisha; candidates choose two zones in order of preference, and a change of zone is not entertained. To be shortlisted, a candidate must score the minimum in each paper separately: 35% for UR and SEBC, 30% for SC and ST, and 28% for PwD. A provisional answer key is uploaded on the website after the examination, with online objections within the date given.
2. Document Verification
After the written result, shortlisted candidates appear with the signed hard copy of the application form and original certificates — HSC certificate, degree and mark lists, Odia proof, caste certificate where applicable, and identity proof. Government servants must inform their Head of Office in writing and bring a No Objection Certificate.
3. Computer Skill Test (50 marks, qualifying)
A practical test. About 1.5 times the vacancies per category are called for it (about 2 times, with a minimum of 5 candidates, where a category has 5 or fewer posts). A minimum of 40% is required. The test is not counted in the final merit, but failing it removes the candidate from the race.
4. Final Merit and Medical Examination
The final rank is on the aggregate written examination marks out of 400. If two candidates tie, the one with higher marks in Paper I (General Awareness) ranks higher; if still tied, the older candidate ranks higher. Selected candidates must clear a medical examination by a Medical Board before appointment.
Pattern note: the paper-wise marks distribution and the detailed syllabus are in Appendix-I of the official notification; the split shown above is from the notification summary checked and should be confirmed in the official notification before preparation. OPSC conducts no interview for this recruitment.
How to Apply for OPSC ASO Recruitment 2026
1
Read the advertisement
Visit opsc.gov.in and read the full Advertisement No. 15 of 2026-27, including Appendix-I for the detailed exam pattern, syllabus, paper-wise marks, reservation rules and Odia qualification requirements, before beginning.
2
Register on the OPSC portal
Register on the OPSC portal through the official website between November 9, 2026, and November 30, 2026, at 5:00 PM. On successful registration you receive a Permanent Public Service Account Number (PPSAN) — note it down, as the application cannot be completed without it.
3
Fill the form and choose exam zones
Enter your personal, educational and eligibility details exactly as per your certificates, and choose two examination zones in order of preference. Submit only one application — multiple applications from multiple PPSAN accounts are rejected.
4
Upload photograph and documents
Upload a recent photograph, your full signature, your left-hand thumb impression, and the certificates where reservation is claimed — SEBC certificate issued on or after November 10, 2023, disability certificate, sports identity card, Ex-Servicemen certificate, and Odia qualification certificate where required. Keep four copies of your photograph ready.
5
Pay the fee and enter bank details
Pay Rs. 700 online (card, UPI, net banking or wallet) if you are not SC, ST or PwD, and enter your bank account details for the refund. To change a submitted form, cancel it and apply again before the last date — there is no edit facility.
6
Submit and keep the printout
Submit the application on or before November 30, 2026, at 5:00 PM. Print the submitted form, sign the declaration, and keep it with copies of all certificates for document verification.
Important Links
Official website: opsc.gov.in
Apply online: opsc.gov.in (OPSC portal — register for a PPSAN and apply for Advertisement No. 15 of 2026-27)
Official notification PDF: Advertisement No. 15 of 2026-27, “Assistant Section Officer (Advt. No. 15 of 2026-27) – Advertisement Notice”, dated November 5, 2026, is available on the official OPSC website at opsc.gov.in under What’s New, with a View PDF link.
OPSC ASO Recruitment 2026, FAQs
How many vacancies are announced under OPSC ASO Recruitment 2026?
Advertisement No. 15 of 2026-27 announces 340 Assistant Section Officer (Group-B) vacancies in the Odisha Secretariat Service Cadre under the Home Department: 144 Unreserved, 81 Scheduled Caste, 77 Scheduled Tribe and 38 SEBC, including 114 posts reserved for women.
What is the advertisement number for OPSC ASO Recruitment 2026?
Advertisement No. 15 of 2026-27, dated November 5, 2026, released by the Odisha Public Service Commission. The advertisement is listed on the official OPSC website under What’s New as “Assistant Section Officer (Advt. No. 15 of 2026-27) – Advertisement Notice”.
When does the OPSC ASO application start, and what is the last date to apply?
The online application opened on November 9, 2026, and closes on November 30, 2026, at 5:00 PM. Applications are submitted only through the official OPSC website at opsc.gov.in.
What is the qualification for OPSC ASO Recruitment 2026?
A Bachelor’s degree in any discipline from a recognised university, or an equivalent qualification, plus adequate knowledge of Computer Application as specified in the Schedule of the notification, and the ability to speak, read and write Odia. Qualification is counted as on the closing date of application.
What is the age limit for OPSC ASO Recruitment 2026?
As on January 1, 2026: 21 to 42 years (born not earlier than January 2, 1984, and not later than January 1, 2005). Relaxation of 5 years applies to SEBC, SC, ST, women and Ex-Servicemen; 10 years for Persons with 40% or more permanent disability; and 15 years cumulative for PwD candidates of SEBC, SC or ST.
What is the application fee for OPSC ASO Recruitment 2026?
Rs. 700 for General and SEBC candidates. SC, ST and PwD candidates are exempted. The fee is paid online while filling the form, and it is refunded only to candidates who actually appear in the written examination.
What is the pay for OPSC Assistant Section Officer?
Rs. 35,400 per month in Level-9, Cell-1 of the Pay Matrix under the Odisha Revised Scale of Pay (ORSP) Rules, 2017, plus dearness allowance and other allowances as sanctioned by the Government of Odisha. Selected candidates are covered by the Contributory Pension Scheme (National Pension System).
What is the selection process for OPSC ASO Recruitment 2026?
A written examination of 400 marks (three papers: General Awareness 100, Reasoning and Mental Ability plus Mathematics 100, and English plus Odia 200), followed by document verification, a qualifying Computer Skill Test of 50 marks (minimum 40%), and a medical examination. There is no interview. The final merit list is based only on the aggregate written examination marks.
When is the OPSC ASO written examination?
The written examination is tentatively scheduled for January 17, 2027 (Sunday), at centres in all 33 zones of Odisha. The date is tentative and will be confirmed by OPSC on its website.
Is Odia language mandatory for OPSC ASO Recruitment 2026?
Yes. Candidates must be able to speak, read and write Odia and must hold a prescribed Odia qualification — for example, passing Middle School with Odia as a language subject, or Matriculation with Odia as the medium of examination in a non-language subject. If your High School certificate does not show Odia, you may submit a Headmaster’s or Principal’s certificate, or an Odia Test Pass Certificate, issued on or before the last date of application.
Madhu Choudhary
Madhu Choudhary is a creative content and blog writer based in Rohtak, Haryana, with 14+ years of experience as a professional writer, including content for the education, health and IT sectors. At Jobriya, Madhu publishes government job updates, admit cards, results and exam schedules, checked against official sources before publishing, so readers get clear dates and direct official links.
Comments
Be the first to share your thoughts on this update.