OPSC Scientific Officer Recruitment 2026, 89 Posts Apply Online APPLY FROM 06 Nov 2026

OPSC Scientific Officer Recruitment 2026 – Overview

OPSC Scientific Officer Notification 2026 – Quick Summary

Key points in simple words:

• Online application starts on 6 November 2026 and ends on 26 November 2026
• Salary is Rs. 44,900 per month at the starting level (Level 10, Cell 1 of the Pay Matrix)
• Age should be between 21 and 42 years as on 1 January 2026
• You need a Master’s degree in the related subject with minimum 55% marks
• You must be able to speak, read and write Odia
• Selection is through a written exam and viva voce (personality test)
• You can apply for only one subject (division)

Important Dates 2026

• Official Notification Date: 28 October 2026
• Online Application Start Date: 06 November 2026
• Last Date to Apply Online & Pay Fee: 26 November 2026
• Written Examination Date: 17 January 2027
• Admit Card: Will be released on the OPSC website before the exam (date not announced yet)
• Viva Voce / Personality Test: Date will be announced after the written exam result

Note: The application window is not open yet. It will start on 6 November 2026. Please do not wait for the last day.

Nationality & Language Condition

• Candidate must be a citizen of India
• Candidate must be able to speak, read and write Odia
• Candidate must have passed M.E. School or a higher exam with Odia as a language subject (or equivalent). Candidates who do not have this may need to pass the Odia test as per the notification

Age Limit (As on 01.01.2026)

• Minimum Age: 21 Years
• Maximum Age: 42 Years
• Age is counted as on the 1st day of January 2026

Age Relaxation

Education Qualification – Post-Wise

Basic rule for all posts: Post Graduate / Master’s Degree in the relevant subject with minimum 55% marks.

Application Fee

OPSC Scientific Officer Vacancy 2026 – Post-Wise Details

Category-Wise Vacancy Details

• Physics (7): UR 4, SC 1, ST 2
• Ballistics (6): UR 3, OBC 1, ST 2
• Chemistry (10): UR 4, SC 3, ST 3
• Toxicology (13): UR 8, SC 3, ST 2, PwD 1
• Biology (14): UR 6, OBC 2, SC 4, ST 2, PwD 1
• Serology (4): UR 3, SC 1
• DNA (12): UR 6, OBC 1, SC 2, ST 3
• Forensic Psychology (6): UR 3, OBC 1, ST 1, EWS 1, PwD 1
• Cyber Forensic (11): UR 5, OBC 2, SC 2, ST 2
• Document (6): UR 3, OBC 1, ST 1, EWS 1, PwD 1

Note: Please check the official notification PDF for the final category-wise details, as the numbers can be updated by OPSC.

Selection Process 2026

• Stage 1: Written Examination – Paper-I (100 marks) and Paper-II (300 marks)
• Stage 2: Personality Test / Viva Voce – 50 marks
• Final: Merit list is prepared by OPSC based on the marks obtained, category and vacancy

Important Points

• Total marks: Written 400 + Viva Voce 50 = 450 marks
• You can apply for only one division (subject)
• Read the full notification for rules on shortlisting for viva voce

OPSC Scientific Officer Salary 2026

OPSC Scientific Officer Exam Pattern 2026

Documents Required for OPSC Application 2026

• H.S.C. (10th) or equivalent certificate as proof of date of birth
• Intermediate / +2 examination certificate
• Bachelor’s degree certificate
• Master’s degree certificate
• Mark-lists of all the above exams
• Caste certificate (for SEBC / SC / ST candidates)
• Odia test pass certificate (as required)
• Permanent disability certificate (for PwD candidates)
• Recent passport-size photograph (scanned)
• Scanned full signature
• Scanned Left-hand Thumb Impression (LTI)

How to Apply Online for OPSC Scientific Officer Recruitment 2026

• Read the full advertisement (Advt. No. 14 of 2026-27) on the OPSC website before you start
• Visit the official website www.opsc.gov.in
• Open the recruitment / advertisement section and find the Scientific Officer advertisement (link works from 6 November 2026)
• Register with your name, mobile number and email ID (use your own active mobile and email)
• Choose your post (division). Remember, only one division is allowed
• Fill in personal, education and category details carefully
• Upload your photograph, full signature and Left-hand Thumb Impression in the given size and format
• Pay the application fee online (if applicable to your category)
• Check everything once and submit the form
• Download or print the final application form and fee receipt for future use

Tip: Submit the form well before the last date (26 November 2026). The website can become slow in the last days.

Who Cannot Apply?

• Candidates with temporary disability under the PwD category
• Married candidates having more than one living spouse, unless exempted by the Government
• Candidates who do not have the required Master’s degree with minimum 55% marks
• Candidates who cannot meet the Odia language condition

Preparation Strategy – Tips for Scientific Officer Exam

• Give most time to your own subject: Paper-II is 300 marks. Revise your Master’s level subject books and notes
• Paper-I (100 marks): Practice English grammar, reading passages, general awareness (especially Odisha and current affairs), reasoning and basic maths
• Odisha GK: Learn about Odisha history, geography, government schemes, culture and current affairs
• Avoid wild guessing: 25% negative marking is there. Answer only the questions you are sure about
• Time management: Paper-II has 150 questions in 150 minutes, so you get about 1 minute per question. Practice with timed mock tests
• For Chemistry, Toxicology, Document: Focus on analytical chemistry, instrumental methods and basic forensic chemistry
• For Biology, Serology, DNA: Focus on genetics, molecular biology, biochemistry and forensic biology basics
• For Physics, Ballistics: Focus on mechanics, optics, electronics and basic ballistics concepts
• For Cyber Forensic: Focus on computer networks, operating systems, cyber security, and digital forensics tools
• For Forensic Psychology: Focus on abnormal psychology, criminal behaviour, psychological testing and research methods
• Solve previous OPSC papers and take regular mock tests. Exam is on 17 January 2027, so you get around 11 weeks after the last date

Why This Job Is a Good Chance for Science Graduates

• It is a permanent state government job with a fixed pay level and Government benefits
• It gives a chance to use your Master’s degree in a real-life, science-based role
• Posts are in forensic-science-related subjects such as Ballistics, Toxicology, Serology, DNA and Cyber Forensic, which are in demand today
• Selection is by OPSC through exam and viva only, so the process is merit-based
• Posting is in Odisha

Note: The exact department and job duties are given in the official notification. Please read it for full details.

OPSC Scientific Officer Recruitment 2026 – FAQs

Q1. How many Scientific Officer posts are there in OPSC Recruitment 2026?
There are 89 posts in 10 subjects: Physics 7, Ballistics 6, Chemistry 10, Toxicology 13, Biology 14, Serology 4, DNA 12, Forensic Psychology 6, Cyber Forensic 11 and Document 6.

Q2. What is the last date to apply?
The last date to apply online is 26 November 2026. Applications start on 6 November 2026.

Q3. What is the exam date?
The written exam is planned for 17 January 2027.

Q4. What is the salary of a Scientific Officer?
The pay is Rs. 44,900 per month at the start (Level 10, Cell 1 of the Pay Matrix), plus allowances as per rules.

Q5. What is the age limit?
21 to 42 years as on 1 January 2026. SEBC/SC/ST/Women/Ex-Servicemen get 5 years relaxation and PwD get 10 years.

Q6. What is the qualification needed?
A Master’s degree in the related subject with minimum 55% marks. The subject list is different for each post.

Q7. What is the application fee?
Rs. 700 for candidates other than SC, ST and PwD. Please check the notification for fee details of SC/ST/PwD.

Q8. Can I apply for more than one post?
No. You can apply for only one division.

Q9. Is knowing Odia compulsory?
Yes. You must be able to speak, read and write Odia.

Q10. Is there negative marking?
Yes. 25% of the question marks is deducted for each wrong answer in both papers.

Q11. What is the selection process?
Written exam (Paper-I 100 marks and Paper-II 300 marks) followed by a viva voce of 50 marks.

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