Last Date to Apply – 7 February 2026
OSSSC Combined Recruitment Exam 2026 – 1518 Various Posts , Last date – 7 Feb 2026
Advertisement No.: IIE-121/2025-3220/OSSSC; Date: 30 December 2025
Hiring Organization: Odisha Sub-ordinate Staff Selection Commission (OSSSC), Block No. 3 & 5, Unit-I, Bhubaneswar – 751009, Odisha
Intro
Odisha Sub-ordinate Staff Selection Commission (OSSSC) invites online applications for Group ‘C’ posts—Forester, Forest Guard, and Excise Constable—across Forest, Environment & Climate Change Department and Excise Department. Re-registration for registered users runs from 07 Jan 2026 to 31 Jan 2026, while online application submission is open from 07 Jan 2026 to 07 Feb 2026.
The selection process includes a 100-mark written test (OMR/CBRE), followed by Physical Standard Measurement (PSM) and Physical Efficiency Test (PET) as applicable. Eligibility covers Odia language proficiency, age limits, educational qualifications, and category-based relaxations. Exam fee is ₹500 for non-SC/ST/PwD candidates, refundable to those who actually appear.
Job Overview – OSSSC Combined Recruitment Exam 2026
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Posts | Forester, Forest Guard, Excise Constable (Group ‘C’) |
| Departments | Forest, Environment & Climate Change Department; Excise Department, Government of Odisha |
| Cadre | District / Circle / Division Cadre – posting within the allotted jurisdiction |
| Mode of Application | Online only via OSSSC official website |
| Selection Stages |
|
| Exam Level | High School (+10) standard for Forest Guard; +2 Science for Forester; +2 pass for Excise Constable |
| Salary Range | ₹19,900 – ₹81,100 (Pay Matrix Level‑4 & Level‑7 depending on post) |
| Key Dates | Re‑registration: 07 Jan – 31 Jan 2026; Application submission: 07 Jan – 07 Feb 2026 |
Important dates – OSSSC Combined Recruitment Exam 2026
| Event | Start date | End date |
|---|---|---|
| Re-registration | 07 Jan 2026 | 31 Jan 2026 |
| Online application submission | 07 Jan 2026 | 07 Feb 2026 |
| Mode of application | Online only via OSSSC portal | |
Vacancy details – OSSSC Combined Recruitment Exam 2026
| Post | Total vacancies | Pay matrix |
|---|---|---|
| Forester | 47 | ₹25,500–81,100 (Level-7, Cell-1) |
| Forest Guard | 896 | ₹19,900–63,200 (Level-4, Cell-01) |
| Excise Constable | 575 | ₹19,900–63,200 (Level-4, Cell-01) |
Age limit – OSSSC Combined Recruitment Exam 2026
| Post | Age range | Cut-off date | Relaxations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forester | 18–32 years | 01 Jan 2025 | SC/ST/SEBC/Women: +5 yrs; PwD: +10 yrs; Ex-Servicemen: as per rules |
| Forest Guard | 18–32 years | 01 Jan 2025 | Same as above |
| Excise Constable | 21–32 years | 01 Jan 2025 | Same as above |
Salary structure – OSSSC Combined Recruitment Exam 2026
| Post | Pay scale | Pay matrix level |
|---|---|---|
| Forester | ₹25,500–81,100 | Level-7 |
| Forest Guard | ₹19,900–63,200 | Level-4 |
| Excise Constable | ₹19,900–63,200 | Level-4 |
Eligibility criteria – OSSSC Combined Recruitment Exam 2026
| Post | Education | Language | Other conditions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forester | +2 Science with basic computer skills | Odia reading, writing, speaking; ME/Matric/Odia test as per rules | Color blindness disqualification; PSM/PET mandatory |
| Forest Guard | HSC (10+) | Odia proficiency as above | Color blindness disqualification; PSM/PET mandatory |
| Excise Constable | +2 or equivalent | Odia proficiency as above | Specific medical disqualifications (e.g., knock knee, flat foot, color blindness); PSM/PET mandatory |
Category-wise Breakdown – OSSSC Combined Recruitment Exam 2026
| Post | GEN (UR) | OBC (SEBC) | SC/ST | Total Vacancies |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Forester | As per Annexure-I | As per Annexure-I | As per Annexure-I | 47 |
| Forest Guard | As per Annexure-II | As per Annexure-II | As per Annexure-II | 896 |
| Excise Constable | As per Annexure-III | As per Annexure-III | As per Annexure-III | 575 |
Application fee – OSSSC Combined Recruitment Exam 2026
| Category | Fee | Refund policy |
|---|---|---|
| SC/ST/PwD | Nil | Not applicable |
| Others | ₹500 | Refunded to applicants who actually appear for the exam |
How to apply – OSSSC Combined Recruitment Exam 2026
| Step | Action |
|---|---|
| 1. Registration | New users: click “Apply Online” on OSSSC homepage |
| 2. Re-registration | Registered users: login and select “Re-registration” |
| 3. Application | Login, fill details per documents, upload photo/signature, submit |
| 4. Fee payment | Pay ₹500 via NetBanking/Card/UPI (if applicable); ensure confirmation page |
Important links – OSSSC Combined Recruitment Exam 2026
| Link | Description |
|---|---|
| Advertisement Notification (PDF) | Official OSSSC Combined Recruitment Exam 2026 notification |
| Apply Online | OSSSC application portal for registration/re-registration and submission |
| Official Website | OSSSC homepage for notices, admission letters, and updates |
Documents required – OSSSC Combined Recruitment Exam 2026
| Document | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Caste/SEBC certificate | Reservation claim |
| UDID/Disability certificate | PwD reservation and compensatory time |
| HSC/+2 certificates & mark sheets | Educational qualification verification |
| Odia language proof | Language eligibility |
| Ex-servicemen documents | Service proof and undertaking |
| Sports ID card | Sportsperson reservation claim |
Exam pattern – OSSSC Combined Recruitment Exam 2026
| Subject | No. of questions | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mathematics | 20 | 20 | 1.5 hours |
| General Studies | 25 | 25 | |
| English | 20 | 20 | |
| Odia | 15 | 15 | |
| Computer | 20 | 20 | |
| Total | 100 | 100 |
Negative marking: −0.25 per wrong answer; multiple answers count as wrong; no penalty for unattempted. Minimum qualifying marks: 30% (SC/ST/PwD/Ex-Servicemen/Sportsperson), 35% (others). Bilingual (except language subjects). Tie-break: fewer wrong attempts, then older age.
Selection procedure – OSSSC Combined Recruitment Exam 2026
| Stage | Details |
|---|---|
| Written Test | OMR/CBRE; normalization if multi-shift; NCC bonus for Excise Constable (B: +1, C: +2) |
| PSM | Height/Chest (Forester/Forest Guard); Height/Weight/Chest (Excise Constable) |
| PET | Forester/Forest Guard: Walking (Male: 25 km/4h; Female: 16 km/4h). Excise Constable: Running (Male: 1.6 km/7 min; Female: 1.6 km/9 min) and Long Jump (Male: 3.66 m; Female: 2.75 m) |
| Document Verification | Screened at ≥1.25× vacancies; original verification by District Board |
| Counselling | Post & district/circle/division choice; merit-cum-choice allocation |
| Select List | Post-wise, District/Circle/Division-wise; Commission may allot suitable service |
Job location – OSSSC Combined Recruitment Exam 2026
| Cadre | Posting |
|---|---|
| District/Circle/Division | Within the concerned District/Circle/Division in Odisha |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is the OSSSC Combined Recruitment Exam 2026?
It is a state-level recruitment exam conducted by OSSSC for Forester, Forest Guard, and Excise Constable posts.
2. How many vacancies are available in this recruitment?
A total of 3250 vacancies are available across Forester, Forest Guard, and Excise Constable posts.
3. What are the important dates for application submission?
Re-registration runs from 07 Jan 2026 to 31 Jan 2026, and online applications can be submitted until 07 Feb 2026.
4. What is the age limit for Forester and Forest Guard posts?
Candidates must be between 18 and 32 years of age as of 01 Jan 2025, with relaxations as per category rules.
5. What is the age limit for Excise Constable?
Candidates must be between 21 and 32 years of age as of 01 Jan 2025, with relaxations as per category rules.
6. What is the application fee?
₹500 for General/SEBC candidates. SC/ST/PwD candidates are exempt. The fee is refundable for those who appear in the exam.
7. What is the exam pattern?
The written test is of 100 marks with subjects including Mathematics, General Studies, English, Odia, and Computer. Negative marking applies.
8. What physical standards are required for Forester and Forest Guard?
Minimum height: 168 cm (UR/SEBC/SC men), 158 cm (ST men), 153 cm (women). Chest expansion up to 5 cm for men.
9. What physical standards are required for Excise Constable?
Height: 168 cm (UR/SEBC men), 163 cm (SC/ST men), 158 cm (UR/SEBC women), 153 cm (SC/ST women). Weight and chest standards also apply.
10. How can candidates apply online?
Through the OSSSC official website by registering/re-registering and submitting the application form with required documents and fee payment.
11. What documents are required during verification?
Caste certificate, UDID/Disability certificate, educational certificates, Odia language proof, Ex-servicemen documents, and Sports ID card if applicable.
12. What is the selection procedure?
Written Test → Physical Standard Measurement (PSM) → Physical Efficiency Test (PET) → Document Verification → Counselling → Final Select List.