The Odisha Public Service Commission (OPSC) conducts the prestigious Odisha Civil Services (OCS) Exam to recruit candidates for Group A and Group B posts under State and Subordinate Services. For 2025, OPSC has announced 200 vacancies, making it one of the most competitive state-level exams.
A well-structured study plan starts with a clear understanding of the OPSC OCS Syllabus and Exam Pattern 2025. This article provides the complete exam structure, detailed Prelims and Mains syllabus, optional subject list, and interview process.
OPSC OCS Syllabus & Exam Pattern 2025
Candidates should refer to the OPSC OCS Syllabus and Exam Pattern first in order to understand the exams better. Please find below an overview of the Odisha Public Service Commission (OPSC) OCS exam:
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Conducting Body | Odisha Public Service Commission (OPSC) |
| Exam Name | Odisha Civil Services Exam 2025 |
| Posts | Group A & B |
| Vacancies | 200 |
| Category | Syllabus & Exam Pattern |
| Exam Date | 12th October 2025 (Sunday) |
| Mode of Exam | Offline |
| Negative Marking | ⅓ mark (0.33) in Prelims |
| Selection Process | Prelims → Mains → Personality Test/Interview |
| Official Website | www.opsc.gov.in |
OPSC OCS Syllabus & Exam Pattern 2025
The Odisha Civil Services Exam is conducted in three stages:
- Preliminary Examination – Objective type, qualifying in nature.
- Mains Examination – Descriptive papers, marks counted for merit.
- Personality Test/Interview – Final stage to assess suitability.
OPSC OCS Syllabus, Exam Pattern & Exam Structure for Prelims & Mains
Prelims Exam Pattern
- Two objective-type papers: General Studies Paper I & II.
- Each paper: 200 marks, 2 hours duration.
- Negative marking: 0.33 mark per wrong answer.
- Paper II requires 33% minimum marks to qualify.
- Prelims are qualifying; marks are not included in the final merit list.
Prelims Exam Structure:
The first stage of the Examination of OPSC OCS is Prelims. Prelims are of a qualifying nature and do include negative markings. Candidates can refer to the table below for the OPSC OCS Prelims exam structure:
| Paper | Questions | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| General Studies Paper I | 200 | 200 | 2 hours |
| General Studies Paper II (CSAT) | 200 | 200 | 2 hours |
Mains Exam Pattern
- 9 descriptive papers in total.
- 2 papers (Odia & English Language) are qualifying.
- 7 papers count towards the merit list.
- Each paper: 250 marks, 3 hours duration.
- Candidates must secure 25% in Odia & English to qualify.
Mains Exam Structure:
Once candidates clear the OPSC OCS prelims exams, candidates will have to appear for the OPSC OCS mains. The exam structure of the mains is quite different from that of the prelims. Candidates can refer to the table below for reference:
| Category | Paper | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Qualifying Papers | Odia Language | 250 | 3 hrs |
| English Language | 250 | 3 hrs | |
| Merit Papers | Essay | 250 | 3 hrs |
| GS Paper I | 250 | 3 hrs | |
| GS Paper II | 250 | 3 hrs | |
| GS Paper III | 250 | 3 hrs | |
| GS Paper IV | 250 | 3 hrs | |
| Optional Paper I | 250 | 3 hrs | |
| Optional Paper II | 250 | 3 hrs | |
| Total (Mains) | 1750 | ||
| Interview | 250 | ||
| Grand Total | 2000 |
OPSC OCS Syllabus: Prelims 2025
General Studies Paper I
- Current events of national & international importance
- History of India and the Indian National Movement
- Indian & world geography (physical, social, economic)
- Indian polity and governance (Constitution, Panchayati Raj, policies, rights)
- Economic & social development (poverty, demographics, inclusion, SDGs)
- Environmental ecology, biodiversity, and climate change
- General Science
General Studies Paper II (CSAT)
- Comprehension passages
- Interpersonal & communication skills
- Logical reasoning and analytical ability
- Decision-making and problem-solving
- General mental ability
- Basic numeracy & data interpretation (Class X level)
- English comprehension (Class X level)
OPSC OCS Syllabus: Mains 2025
(A) Qualifying Papers
Odia Language
- Comprehension of passages
- Usage and vocabulary
- Précis writing
- Short essays
- Translation (English ↔ Odia)
English Language
- Comprehension of passages
- Usage and vocabulary
- Précis writing
- Short essays
(B) Papers Counted for Merit
Paper I – Essay
-
Essays on multiple topics test critical thinking, clarity, and expression.
Paper II – General Studies I (Heritage, Culture, History & Geography of India and Odisha)
- Indian art, architecture, and literature (ancient to modern)
- Temple architecture of Odisha
- Bhakti movement in Odisha and its impact
- Evolution of the Odia language and literature
- Regional traditions and festivals
- Modern Indian history, freedom struggle, post-independence developments
- Odisha history – Kalinga War, dynasties (Kharavela, Bhauma Karas, Somavamsis, Gangas, Gajapatis)
- Paik Rebellion, Vir Surendra Sai, 1857 revolt, Praja Mandal movements
- Creation of Odisha Province & social reform movements
- Indian & Odia society – diversity, role of women, poverty, urbanization, tribal issues
- Globalization and its effects on Odisha
Paper III – General Studies II (Governance, Polity, Social Justice & International Relations)
- Evolution & features of the Constitution
- Federal structure, devolution of powers, separation of powers
- Parliament & State legislatures – structure, privileges, issues
- Executive & Judiciary – structure, accountability
- Odisha-specific laws: Right to Public Services Act, Lokayukta Act
- Constitutional & statutory bodies
- Governance – transparency, e-Governance, accountability
- Social justice & welfare schemes for vulnerable sections (India & Odisha)
- Role of MSMEs, SHGs, poverty & hunger issues, SDGs
- Odisha’s neighborhood relations & India’s international role
Paper IV – General Studies III (Science, Economy, Agriculture, Environment, Security & Disaster Management)
- Developments in science & technology, IT, robotics, biotech, nanotech
- Indian economy – growth, employment, resource mobilization
- Budgeting (India & Odisha), land reforms, and industrialization in Odisha
- Agriculture – cropping patterns, irrigation, e-technology in farming
- Subsidies, MSP, PDS, food security, animal rearing
- Food processing & supply chain management
- Biodiversity & environment – conservation, EIA, pollution control
- Disaster management – India & Odisha-specific policies
- Extremism in Odisha, cyber security, money laundering, border security
- Security forces & agencies of India and Odisha
Paper V – General Studies IV (Ethics, Integrity & Aptitude)
- Ethics in human actions – determinants, consequences
- Human values – teachings of leaders & reformers
- Role of family, society & education in values
- Attitude, aptitude, empathy, and compassion in governance
- Emotional intelligence – concepts & applications
- Moral thinkers (India & world)
- Public service values, corruption, transparency, accountability
- RTI, codes of ethics, citizen charters, probity in governance
- Case studies on ethical dilemmas
Paper VI & VII – Optional Subject Papers
-
Candidates choose one subject (two papers) from the official list (History, Geography, Political Science, Law, Sociology, Agriculture, Engineering, Literature, etc.).
OPSC OCS Optional Subject List 2025
Candidates can select from subjects like: Agriculture, Anthropology, Botany, Chemistry, Civil Engineering, Commerce & Accountancy, Economics, Education, Electrical Engineering, Fishery Science, Forestry, Geography, Geology, History, Home Science, Law, Management, Mathematics, Mechanical Engineering, Medical Science, Philosophy, Physics, Political Science & International Relations, Psychology, Public Administration, Sociology, Statistics, Zoology, Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Science, Agriculture Engineering, and Literature of languages (Odia, English, Hindi, Sanskrit, Persian, Urdu).
OPSC OCS Interview / Personality Test
-
Candidates who qualify for the Mains are called for a Personality Test (250 marks).
-
Assesses:
- Mental alertness & logical thinking
- Leadership & communication skills
- Social awareness & decision-making
- Ethical integrity & suitability for civil services
OPSC OCS Syllabus 2025 PDF
Along with this article, candidates can also refer to the PDF given below for reference. Candidates can download the OPSC OCS Syllabus 2025 PDF from the Link below: –
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