The Odisha Public Service Commission (OPSC) has announced the OPSC Scientific Officer Recruitment 2026 for 89 vacancies across 10 scientific divisions. Eligible candidates with a relevant postgraduate or master’s degree can apply online through the official website, opsc.gov.in.
According to Advertisement No. 14 of 2026–27, the recruitment includes vacancies in Physics, Ballistics, Chemistry, Toxicology, Biology, Serology, DNA, Forensic Psychology, Cyber Forensic and Document divisions. The online application process is scheduled to begin on 6 November 2026, and the last date to submit the application is 26 November 2026.
Candidates interested in OPSC Scientific Officer Jobs 2026 should check the post-wise educational qualifications, age limit, application fee, selection process and examination pattern before applying.
OPSC Scientific Officer Recruitment 2026: Overview
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Recruiting Organisation | Odisha Public Service Commission (OPSC) |
| Post Name | Scientific Officer |
| Advertisement Number | 14 of 2026–27 |
| Total Vacancies | 89 |
| Job Location | Odisha |
| Job Type | Government Job |
| Application Mode | Online |
| Educational Qualification | Relevant Master’s Degree |
| Minimum Marks | 55%, as specified in the notification |
| Age Limit | 21 to 42 years |
| Salary | ₹44,900 per month (basic pay) |
| Application Start Date | 6 November 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply | 26 November 2026 |
| Written Examination Date | 17 January 2027 |
| Official Website | https://www.opsc.gov.in/ |
Post-Wise Vacancy Details
OPSC has announced a total of 89 vacancies across 10 scientific divisions. The division-wise vacancy distribution is provided below.
| Scientific Division | Vacancies |
|---|---|
| Physics | 7 |
| Ballistics | 6 |
| Chemistry | 10 |
| Toxicology | 13 |
| Biology | 14 |
| Serology | 4 |
| DNA | 12 |
| Forensic Psychology | 6 |
| Cyber Forensic | 11 |
| Document | 6 |
| Total | 89 |
Candidates should select the division that matches their educational qualifications and verify the detailed eligibility conditions in the official notification.
Eligibility Criteria
Candidates must satisfy the prescribed educational qualifications, age limit, nationality and language requirements to be eligible for OPSC Scientific Officer Recruitment 2026.
Educational Qualification
The required qualification differs according to the scientific division.
| Scientific Division | Required Educational Qualification |
|---|---|
| Physics | Master’s Degree in Physics, Applied Physics, Electronics with Physics, or an eligible integrated M.Sc. or Forensic Science qualification in the specified specialisation |
| Ballistics | Master’s Degree in Physics, Applied Physics, Mathematics, Applied Mathematics, or an eligible integrated M.Sc. or Forensic Science qualification |
| Chemistry | Master’s Degree in Chemistry, Analytical Chemistry, Applied Chemistry, Biochemistry, Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Pharmaceutical Quality Assurance or Forensic Science |
| Toxicology | Master’s Degree in Chemistry, Analytical Chemistry, Applied Chemistry, or Forensic Science with Forensic Chemistry or Toxicology |
| Biology | Master’s Degree in Zoology, Microbiology, Life Science, Genetics, Biotechnology, Biochemistry, Molecular Biology or an eligible Forensic Science specialisation |
| Serology | Master’s Degree in Zoology, Microbiology, Life Science, Genetics, Biotechnology, Biochemistry, Molecular Biology or an eligible Forensic Science specialisation |
| DNA | Master’s Degree in Zoology, Biotechnology, Genetics, Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Microbiology, Life Sciences or an eligible Forensic Science specialisation |
| Forensic Psychology | Master’s Degree in Psychology or Forensic Psychology, with Psychology as an honours or principal subject at bachelor’s level |
| Cyber Forensic | Master’s Degree in Computer Science, Computer Science and Engineering, Information Technology, Cyber Security, Computer Applications, Digital Forensics or an eligible Forensic Science specialisation |
| Document | Master’s Degree in Physics, Chemistry or Forensic Science, with Chemistry or Physics as a subject at the bachelor’s level, as specified |
Important: The notification specifies a minimum of 55% marks for the relevant postgraduate qualification. Candidates must check the exact subject combinations and any additional conditions applicable to their selected division in the official advertisement.
Nationality and Odia Language Requirement
Candidates must meet the following requirements:
- Must be a citizen of India.
- Must be able to speak, read and write Odia.
- Must have passed the M.E. School examination or a higher examination with Odia as a language subject, or possess an accepted equivalent qualification, as specified in the notification.
Age Limit
The prescribed age limit for OPSC Scientific Officer Recruitment 2026 is as follows:
| Category | Age Limit |
|---|---|
| Minimum Age | 21 years |
| Maximum Age | 42 years |
| Age Calculation Date | 1 January 2026 |
Candidates must have attained the age of 21 years and must not be above 42 years as of 1 January 2026.
Age Relaxation
Age relaxation is available to eligible candidates according to the applicable recruitment rules.
| Category | Age Relaxation |
|---|---|
| SEBC | 5 years |
| SC | 5 years |
| ST | 5 years |
| Women | 5 years |
| Ex-Servicemen | 5 years |
| Persons with Disabilities (PwD) | 10 years |
Candidates should refer to the official notification for the applicable conditions and any restrictions on combining age relaxations.
Salary
Candidates selected for the Scientific Officer posts will receive a basic salary of ₹44,900 per month under Level 10, Cell 1 of the applicable pay matrix.
| Post | Scientific Officer |
| Pay Level | Level 10 |
| Pay Matrix Cell | Cell 1 |
| Basic Pay | ₹44,900 per month |
| Additional Benefits | As admissible under applicable government rules |
The final monthly salary may vary depending on applicable allowances, deductions and service conditions.
Application Fee
The application fee details are given below.
| Category | Application Fee |
|---|---|
| Candidates other than SC, ST and PwD categories | ₹700 |
| SC/ST/PwD candidates | Exempted, as specified in the notification |
The fee can be paid online through the payment methods provided on the application portal, such as debit card, credit card, UPI or net banking.
Candidates should confirm the applicable fee exemption and payment instructions in the official advertisement before making payment.
Important Dates
Candidates should keep track of the following important dates.
| Notification Date | 28 October 2026 |
| Online Registration and Fee Payment Starts | 6 November 2026 |
| Last Date for Online Application | 26 November 2026 |
| Written Examination | 17 January 2027 |
The application window is limited. Candidates are advised to complete registration and submission well before the closing date.
Selection Process
The selection process consists of the following stages:
- Written Examination
- Personality Test/Viva Voce
Written Examination
The written examination consists of two papers covering general subjects and the candidate’s selected scientific division.
| Paper | Subjects | Questions | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paper I | General English, General Awareness, General Aptitude and Reasoning | 100 | 100 | 90 minutes |
| Paper II | Subject-specific scientific division | 150 | 300 | 150 minutes |
| Total | – | 250 | 400 | 240 minutes |
The examination will consist of objective-type multiple-choice questions.
Negative Marking: A deduction of 25% of the marks allotted to a question applies for each incorrect response, as specified in the notification.
Personality Test/Viva Voce
Candidates who qualify according to the prescribed selection criteria may be called for a Personality Test/Viva Voce carrying 50 marks.
The final selection will be made according to the applicable examination rules, merit criteria and other conditions in the official notification.
Documents Required
Candidates should prepare the required certificates and supporting documents before completing the online application.
The documents listed in the recruitment information include:
- HSC or equivalent certificate as proof of age.
- Intermediate/+2 examination certificate.
- Bachelor’s degree certificate.
- Master’s degree certificate.
- Mark sheets for the relevant examinations.
- Caste certificate for eligible SEBC, SC and ST candidates.
- Odia language qualification certificate.
- Permanent disability certificate, where applicable.
- Recent passport-size photograph.
- Scanned signature.
- Left-hand thumb impression (LTI).
Additional documents may be required depending on the candidate’s category and the requirements of the official application portal.
How to Apply Online
Eligible candidates can follow these steps to submit their applications.
- Visit the official OPSC website: https://www.opsc.gov.in/.
- Open the recruitment or advertisement section.
- Find the Scientific Officer Recruitment 2026 notification, Advertisement No. 14 of 2026–27.
- Read the official notification carefully and confirm your eligibility.
- Open the online application link and complete the registration process.
- Enter the required personal, educational and contact details.
- Select the appropriate scientific division according to your qualifications.
- Upload the required photograph, signature and left-hand thumb impression in the prescribed format.
- Pay the application fee, if applicable.
- Review all the information entered in the application form.
- Submit the application before 26 November 2026.
- Download or print the submitted application form and payment receipt for future reference.
Important: Candidates are permitted to apply for only one division. Review your selection carefully before submitting the form.
Important Instructions for Candidates
- Read the complete official notification before applying.
- Verify the subject-specific educational qualifications for the chosen division.
- Ensure that you meet the age and Odia language requirements.
- Submit the online application before the deadline.
- Keep copies of the application form and payment receipt.
- Check the official website regularly for examination instructions, admit cards and further updates.
- Verify the applicable fee exemption and refund conditions in the official notification.
The notification states that examination fees paid will be refunded only to candidates who actually appear in both papers of the written examination, subject to the prescribed conditions.
Important Links
| Official Website | Click Here |
| Official Notification | Click Here |
| Apply Online | Click Here |
Candidates should use the official OPSC website to access the authentic notification and application portal.
FAQs – OPSC Scientific Officer Recruitment 2026
1. How many vacancies are available in OPSC Scientific Officer Recruitment 2026?
There are 89 vacancies across 10 scientific divisions, including Physics, Ballistics, Chemistry, Toxicology, Biology, Serology, DNA, Forensic Psychology, Cyber Forensic and Document.
2. What is the last date to apply for OPSC Scientific Officer Recruitment 2026?
The last date to submit the online application is 26 November 2026.
3. When will the OPSC Scientific Officer online application start?
The online registration and fee payment process is scheduled to begin on 6 November 2026.
4. What is the educational qualification for OPSC Scientific Officer posts?
Candidates generally need a relevant Master’s Degree in the subject or specialisation required for their selected scientific division. The notification specifies a minimum of 55% marks, subject to its detailed eligibility conditions.
5. What is the age limit for OPSC Scientific Officer Recruitment 2026?
The minimum age is 21 years, and the maximum age is 42 years as of 1 January 2026. Applicable age relaxations are available for eligible categories.
6. What is the salary of an OPSC Scientific Officer?
The basic pay is ₹44,900 per month under Level 10, Cell 1 of the pay matrix, along with applicable allowances and benefits.
7. What is the application fee for OPSC Scientific Officer Recruitment 2026?
The fee is ₹700 for candidates other than SC, ST and PwD categories. Eligible exempted candidates should verify the fee provisions in the official notification.
8. What is the selection process for OPSC Scientific Officer posts?
The selection process consists of a written examination followed by a Personality Test/Viva Voce, according to the prescribed recruitment rules.
9. What is the OPSC Scientific Officer examination date?
The written examination is scheduled for 17 January 2027. Candidates should check the official website for any subsequent updates.
10. Can candidates apply for more than one scientific division?
No. The recruitment information states that a candidate may apply for only one division.