Odisha Public Service Commission (OPSC) has released the official notification for the recruitment of Scientific Officers (Group-B) in the State Forensic Science Service Organisation under the Home Department, Government of Odisha. A total of 89 Scientific Officer vacancies are available across 10 divisions.
Eligible candidates holding the prescribed postgraduate or master’s degree qualification can submit their online applications through the official OPSC website. The online registration process will begin on 6 November 2026, and the last date to apply is 26 November 2026 (5:00 PM).
Candidates interested in forensic science, laboratory analysis, scientific investigation and related disciplines should check the eligibility criteria, division-wise vacancies, selection process and examination pattern before applying.
OPSC Scientific Officer Recruitment 2026 – Overview
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Organization | Odisha Public Service Commission (OPSC) |
| Department | Home Department, Government of Odisha |
| Post Name | Scientific Officer (Group-B) |
| Advertisement Number | 14 of 2026-27 |
| Notification Date | 28 October 2026 |
| Total Vacancies | 89 |
| Job Location | Odisha |
| Job Type | Government Job |
| Application Mode | Online |
| Registration Start Date | 06 November 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply | 26 November 2026 |
| Qualification | Postgraduate / Master’s Degree |
| Age Limit | 21 to 42 Years |
| Selection Process | Written Examination and Personality Test |
| Salary | ₹44,900 per month (Basic Pay) |
| Official Website | https://www.opsc.gov.in |
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification Release Date | 28 October 2026 |
| Online Application Start | 06 November 2026 |
| Last Date for Registration | 26 November 2026 |
| Last Date for Fee Payment | 26 November 2026 |
| Written Examination | 17 January 2027 |
The written examination is scheduled for Sunday, 17 January 2027. Detailed examination timings and centres will be announced separately by OPSC.
OPSC Scientific Officer Vacancy 2026 – Division-Wise Details
A total of 89 vacancies have been announced across 10 divisions of the State Forensic Science Service Organisation.
| Division | Total Vacancies |
|---|---|
| Physics | 07 |
| Ballistics | 06 |
| Chemistry | 10 |
| Toxicology | 13 |
| Biology | 14 |
| Serology | 04 |
| DNA | 12 |
| Forensic Psychology | 06 |
| Cyber Forensic | 11 |
| Document | 06 |
| Total | 89 |
Category-Wise Vacancy Distribution
| Category | Vacancies |
|---|---|
| Unreserved (UR) | 45 |
| Scheduled Caste (SC) | 18 |
| Scheduled Tribe (ST) | 18 |
| SEBC | 08 |
| Total | 89 |
Out of the total vacancies, 29 posts are reserved for women. Additionally, 4 vacancies are reserved for Persons with Disabilities (PwD) having permanent disability of 40% or more, as specified in the notification.
Important: Candidates can apply for only one division. Applicants should carefully check the prescribed educational qualification for their selected division.
Educational Qualification for OPSC Scientific Officer 2026
Candidates must possess a Post Graduate or Master’s Degree from a recognised university with at least 55% aggregate marks in the relevant subject or an equivalent qualification specified for the selected division.
The division-wise educational qualifications are as follows:
| Division | Required Qualification |
|---|---|
| Physics | Master’s Degree in Physics, Applied Physics or relevant Forensic Science specialisation; Integrated M.Sc. in Physics is also accepted. |
| Ballistics | Master’s Degree in Physics, Mathematics, Applied Mathematics or relevant Forensic Science specialisation. |
| Chemistry | Master’s Degree in Chemistry, Analytical Chemistry, Applied Chemistry, Biochemistry or Pharmaceutical Chemistry, or relevant Forensic Science qualification. |
| Toxicology | Master’s Degree in Chemistry, Analytical Chemistry or Applied Chemistry, or relevant Forensic Science qualification. |
| Biology | Master’s Degree in Zoology, Microbiology, Life Science, Genetics, Biotechnology, Biochemistry or Molecular Biology, or relevant Forensic Science qualification. |
| Serology | Master’s Degree in Zoology, Microbiology, Life Science, Genetics, Biotechnology, Biochemistry or Molecular Biology, or relevant Forensic Science qualification. |
| DNA | Master’s Degree in Zoology, Biotechnology, Genetics, Biochemistry, Molecular Biology or Life Sciences, or relevant Forensic Science qualification. |
| 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 Engineering, Information Technology, Cyber Security, Digital Forensic or specified related specialisations. |
| Document | Master’s Degree in Physics, Chemistry or Forensic Science with Chemistry or Physics as a subject at Bachelor’s level. |
Candidates should refer to Annexure-A of the official notification for the complete list of accepted degree combinations for each division.
Odisha Language Requirement: Candidates must be able to speak, read and write Odia. They must satisfy at least one of the prescribed conditions, such as passing M.E. School or higher examination with Odia as a language subject, passing Matriculation with Odia as the medium of examination, or meeting the specified Class VII Odia examination requirements.
Age Limit for OPSC Scientific Officer Recruitment 2026
The age limit will be calculated as on 1 January 2026.
| Category | Age Limit |
|---|---|
| Minimum Age | 21 Years |
| Maximum Age | 42 Years |
| SEBC Candidates | 5 Years Relaxation |
| SC/ST Candidates | 5 Years Relaxation |
| Women Candidates | 5 Years Relaxation |
| Ex-Servicemen | 5 Years Relaxation |
| PwD Candidates | 10 Years Relaxation |
PwD candidates belonging to SEBC, SC or ST categories are eligible for cumulative age relaxation up to 15 years, as provided in the notification.
- Minimum Date of Birth: 2 January 1984.
- Maximum Date of Birth: 1 January 2005.
Application Fee
Candidates must pay the examination fee online while submitting the application form.
| Category | Application Fee |
|---|---|
| General / UR | ₹700 |
| SEBC | ₹700 |
| SC | Exempted |
| ST | Exempted |
| PwD | Exempted |
Fee Refund: The examination fee will be refunded only to candidates who actually appear in both Paper-I and Paper-II of the written examination. The refund will be processed through the original payment method.
OPSC Scientific Officer Selection Process 2026
The selection of candidates will be based on the following stages:
- Written Examination
- Personality Test / Viva Voce
- Preparation of Division-Wise Merit List
- Document Verification and Medical Examination
The written examination carries 400 marks, while the Personality Test carries 50 marks.
OPSC Scientific Officer Exam Pattern 2026
The written examination will consist of two objective-type papers.
| Paper | Subjects | Questions | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paper-I | General English, General Awareness, General Aptitude and Reasoning | 100 | 100 | 90 Minutes |
| Paper-II | Subject-specific questions for the selected division | 150 | 300 | 150 Minutes |
| Total | 250 | 400 | 240 Minutes |
Additional examination details:
- Paper-I consists of 50 General English questions and 50 General Awareness, General Aptitude and Reasoning questions.
- Paper-II is different for each division.
- Paper-II questions will be at Master’s Degree level.
- Each Paper-II question carries 2 marks.
- Negative marking of 25% of the marks allotted to each question applies to incorrect answers in both papers.
- The Personality Test/Viva Voce carries 50 marks.
Total selection marks: 450
Written Examination Date
The OPSC Scientific Officer written examination is scheduled for 17 January 2027 (Sunday). The examination will be conducted at Cuttack/Bhubaneswar. Detailed examination schedules and centres will be notified separately.
Salary for OPSC Scientific Officer 2026
Selected candidates will receive salary under the following pay structure:
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Pay Level | Level 10 |
| Pay Matrix | Cell 1 |
| Basic Pay | ₹44,900 |
| Additional Benefits | Dearness Allowance and other admissible allowances |
The appointment will be governed by the Odisha Forensic Science Service (Method of Recruitment and Conditions of Service of Group-A and Group-B Posts) Rules, 2025, and applicable government provisions.
How to Apply Online for OPSC Scientific Officer Recruitment 2026
Eligible candidates can submit their applications online by following these steps:
- Visit the official website of the Odisha Public Service Commission: https://www.opsc.gov.in.
- Open the recruitment section and find Advertisement No. 14 of 2026-27.
- Read the official notification and detailed application instructions carefully.
- Complete the online registration using the required personal and educational details.
- Select only one division for which you fulfil the prescribed eligibility conditions.
- Upload your recent passport-size photograph, full signature and left-hand thumb impression.
- Upload the required educational, age, caste/category and other applicable certificates.
- Pay the examination fee, if applicable.
- Review all entered information before final submission.
- Submit the application and download the final submitted application form for future reference.
After successful registration, candidates will receive a Permanent Public Service Account Number (PPSAN). Candidates should keep a printout of the final application and relevant documents for document verification.
Important: The advertisement requires candidates to upload the relevant documents in a single PDF file with a maximum size of 10 MB.
Documents Required
Candidates should keep the following documents ready:
- HSC or equivalent certificate for date of birth.
- Intermediate / +2 certificate.
- Bachelor’s Degree certificate.
- Master’s Degree certificate.
- Educational mark sheets.
- Odia language test pass certificate or other accepted proof.
- Caste certificate, if applicable.
- Permanent Disability Certificate, if applicable.
- Ex-Servicemen discharge/release certificate, if applicable.
- No Objection Certificate for Government employees.
- Valid photo identity proof.
- Recent passport-size photograph.
- Scanned full signature.
- Left-hand thumb impression.
Important Links – OPSC Scientific Officer Recruitment 2026
| Description | Link |
|---|---|
| Apply Online | OPSC Official Website |
| Official Recruitment Notification | Download PDF |
| Official Website | https://www.opsc.gov.in |
Notification Download
Candidates are advised to download and read the complete OPSC Scientific Officer Recruitment 2026 notification before submitting their applications. The official advertisement contains detailed information about division-wise educational qualifications, reservation, examination syllabus, eligibility requirements and application instructions.
For the latest updates regarding the OPSC Scientific Officer examination, admit card and results, candidates should regularly visit the official OPSC website.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. How many vacancies are available in OPSC Scientific Officer Recruitment 2026?
There are 89 vacancies for Scientific Officer (Group-B) posts across 10 divisions.
2. What is the last date to apply for OPSC Scientific Officer Recruitment 2026?
The last date for submission of the online application is 26 November 2026 up to 5:00 PM.
3. What is the starting date for OPSC Scientific Officer online applications?
The online application and examination fee payment process will begin on 6 November 2026.
4. What is the educational qualification required?
Candidates must possess a Post Graduate or Master’s Degree with at least 55% aggregate marks in the relevant subject prescribed for their selected division.
5. What is the age limit for OPSC Scientific Officer posts?
Candidates must be between 21 and 42 years as on 1 January 2026, subject to applicable age relaxation.
6. Can candidates apply for more than one division?
No. A candidate can apply for only one division.
7. What is the application fee?
The examination fee is ₹700 for candidates other than SC, ST and PwD categories. SC, ST and PwD candidates are exempted.
8. What is the selection process?
Selection will be based on a written examination of 400 marks and a Personality Test/Viva Voce of 50 marks.
9. When will the OPSC Scientific Officer written examination be conducted?
The written examination is scheduled for 17 January 2027.
10. What is the salary of an OPSC Scientific Officer?
The post carries a basic pay of ₹44,900 under Level 10, Cell 1 of the Pay Matrix, along with admissible allowances.
11. Is knowledge of Odia compulsory?
Yes. Candidates must be able to speak, read and write Odia and fulfil one of the prescribed Odia language qualification conditions.
12. Where can candidates apply for OPSC Scientific Officer Recruitment 2026?
Candidates can apply online through the official website, https://www.opsc.gov.in/.