OSSSC Combined Recruitment Examination 2025 (II) – 1,518 Posts
Odisha Sub-ordinate Staff Selection Commission invites online applications for Combined Recruitment Examination-2025 (II) for recruitment to Group ‘C’ posts of Forester, Forest Guard & Excise Constable in Forest, Environment & Climate Change Department and Excise Department of Government of Odisha.
Important Dates
- 🗓️ Online Registration/Re-registration Start: 07.01.2026
- 📅 Online Registration/Re-registration End: 31.01.2026
- 📝 Online Application Submission Start: 07.01.2026
- 📋 Online Application Submission End: 07.02.2026
- 🎯 Written Test Date: To be notified later
Mere Registration/Re-registration does not mean filing of online application. Online Application shall be filed mandatorily after completing Registration/Re-registration. Age criteria date: 01.01.2025.
Vacancy Details (Total: 1,518 Posts)
Post-wise Vacancy Distribution
| S.No | Name of Post | Group | Department | Total Vacancies |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Forester | C | Forest, Environment & Climate Change Dept | 47 |
| 2 | Forest Guard | C | Forest, Environment & Climate Change Dept | 896 |
| 3 | Excise Constable | C | Excise Department | 575 |
| Grand Total | 1,518 | |||
Category-wise Reservation Summary
| Post Name | UR | ST | SC | SEBC | Ex-Servicemen |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Forester | 23 (11 Women) | 5 (1 Women) | 3 (2 Women) | 2 | – |
| Forest Guard | 356 (171 Women) | 134 (64 Women) | 86 (41 Women) | 31 (13 Women) | 22 |
| Excise Constable | 195 (99 Women) | 87 (42 Women) | 57 (29 Women) | 44 (22 Women) | 13 |
District/Circle/Division-wise Posting
Vacancies are District/Circle/Division Cadre based. Candidates after selection will be posted within the concerned District/Circle/Division only.
- Forester: 6 Territorial Circles (Angul, Baripada, Berhampur, Koraput, Rourkela, Sambalpur)
- Forest Guard: 68 Division Cadres across Odisha
- Excise Constable: 30 Districts across Odisha
Vacancies may undergo changes without prior notice. Reservation as per Govt of Odisha rules. Special categories: Women, Sportspersons, Ex-servicemen, PwDs (Leprosy Cured, Acid Attack Victims for Forester/Forest Guard only).
Pay Scale & Benefits
| Post Name | Pay Scale | Pay Matrix Level |
|---|---|---|
| Forester | ₹25,500 – 81,100 | Level-7, Cell-1 |
| Forest Guard | ₹19,900 – 63,200 | Level-4, Cell-01 |
| Excise Constable | ₹19,900 – 63,200 | Level-4, Cell-01 |
Other Benefits
DA, HRA, TA, Medical facilities, and other allowances as per Government of Odisha rules applicable to Group-C posts.
Eligibility Criteria (as on 01.01.2025)
Age Limit (as on 01.01.2025)
| Post Name | Minimum Age | Maximum Age | Age Relaxation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forester | 18 years | 32 years | SC/ST/SEBC/Women: +5 years PwDs: +10 years Ex-Servicemen: Service period |
| Forest Guard | 18 years | 32 years | SC/ST/SEBC/Women: +5 years PwDs: +10 years Ex-Servicemen: Service period |
| Excise Constable | 21 years | 32 years | SC/ST/SEBC/Women: +5 years PwDs: +10 years Ex-Servicemen: Service period |
PwDs under SC/ST/SEBC entitled to cumulative age relaxation of 10 years over normal relaxation. DOB as per HSC certificate only. Ex-Servicemen having more than 6 months to retire not eligible.
Educational Qualification
Forester
+2 Science from recognized University/Institution/Board with knowledge in basic Computer skills.
Forest Guard
High School Certificate Examination (10th) from recognized Board or Institution.
Excise Constable
+2 Examination or equivalent from Council of Higher Secondary Education, Odisha or recognized Board/Council.
Odia Language Requirement (Mandatory for All Posts)
Candidate must be able to read, write & speak Odia. Any ONE of the following:
- Passed Middle English School Examination with Odia as language subject
- Passed Matriculation with Odia as medium of examination in non-language subjects
- Passed Odia as language subject in final exam of Class-VII or above from recognized School
- Passed test in Odia in Middle English School Standard by School & Mass Education Dept
Other Eligibility Conditions
- Must be citizen of India and of good character
- If married, must not have more than one spouse living
- Sportspersons must possess Sports ID card issued by Sports & Youth Services Dept, Odisha
- PwDs must have Permanent Disability Certificate with 40% disability (UDID card mandatory)
- For Forester/Forest Guard: Only Leprosy Cured Persons and Acid Attack Victims eligible under PwD
- For Excise Constable: No knock knee, bow legs, flat foot, varicose veins, squint, color blindness, speech/hearing impediment. PwDs not eligible
- Ex-Servicemen must have Identity Card/Discharge Certificate and undertaking of no prior re-employment
Nationality
Candidate must be citizen of India.
Physical Standard Measurement (PSM) & Physical Efficiency Test (PET)
For Forester & Forest Guard
| Category | Minimum Height (cm) | Chest Un-expanded (cm) | Chest Expanded (cm) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Men (UR/SEBC/SC) | 168 | 81 | Up to 5 cm expansion |
| Men (ST) | 158 | 81 | Up to 5 cm expansion |
| Women (All Categories) | 153 | – | – |
Color blindness is disqualification for Forester and Forest Guard posts.
Physical Efficiency Test (PET) – Walking Test
- Male (All Categories): 25 kms in 4 hours
- Female (All Categories): 16 kms in 4 hours
For Excise Constable
| Category | Min Height (cm) | Min Weight (Kg) | Chest Un-expanded | Chest Expanded |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Men (UR/SEBC) | 168 | 55 | 79 cm | 84 cm |
| Men (SC/ST) | 163 | 50 | 76 cm | 81 cm |
| Women (UR/SEBC) | 158 | 47.5 | – | – |
| Women (SC/ST) | 153 | 45 | – | – |
Minimum 5 cms difference between unexpanded and expanded chest required.
Physical Efficiency Test (PET)
Male (All Categories)
- Running: 1.6 kms in 7 minutes
- Long Jump: 3.66 meters in 3 attempts
Female (All Categories)
- Running: 1.6 kms in 9 minutes
- Long Jump: 2.75 meters in 3 attempts
Candidates failing in any PSM/PET event shall be disqualified. Undertaking of fitness required before PET at own risk.
Selection Process (Two-Stage Examination)
Stage-I: Written Test (100 Marks)
| Subject | No. of Questions | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mathematics | 20 | 20 | 1½ hours |
| General Studies | 25 | 25 | |
| English | 20 | 20 | |
| Odia | 15 | 15 | |
| Computer | 20 | 20 | |
| Total | 100 | 100 | – |
Written Test Important Points
- Mode: MCQ type (OMR/CBRE Mode) – Exact mode to be notified
- Standard: High School Certificate Examination level
- Negative Marking: 0.25 marks deducted for each wrong answer (1/4th penalty)
- Multiple Answers: Treated as wrong even if one is correct
- Blank/Not Attempted: No penalty
- Minimum Qualifying Marks:
- ST/SC/PwD/Ex-Servicemen/Sportsperson: 30%
- Other Categories: 35%
- Bilingual Questions: Except English and Odia subjects. English version prevails in confusion
- Bonus Marks (Excise Constable only): NCC ‘B’ Certificate: 1 mark | NCC ‘C’ Certificate: 2 marks
- CBRE Mode: If conducted, normalization formula applied for multiple shifts
- Tie Resolution: Lesser wrong attempts → Older age → Commission decision
Stage-II: Physical Test (PSM + PET)
- Shortlisting: Not less than 3 times vacancies (category/special category wise) based on Written Test merit
- Physical Standard Measurement (PSM): Height, Weight, Chest measurement as per prescribed standards
- Physical Efficiency Test (PET): Walking Test (Forester/Forest Guard) or Running + Long Jump (Excise Constable)
- Qualifying in nature – failure in any event leads to disqualification
- Commission has power to decide actual number to be shortlisted
Document Verification (DV)
- Shortlisting: Not less than 1.25 times vacancies based on Physical Test merit
- Conducted by District Level Board at Collector’s office or other designated place
- All original documents/certificates must be produced
- Candidature provisional till validation by appointing authority
- Non-attendance leads to rejection of candidature
Counselling & Final Selection
- Online/Physical mode counselling for choice of post and district/circle/division
- Allotment based on merit-cum-choice as per available vacancies
- Commission reserves right to allot any service irrespective of preference
- Provisional Select Lists prepared post-wise, district/circle/division wise, category wise
- Results remain provisional till acceptance by appointing authority
Examination Fee & How to Apply
Examination Fee
- General/SEBC/EWS/Women: ₹500/- (To be REFUNDED to those who appear in exam)
- SC/ST/PwDs: NIL (Exempted)
Payment through Net Banking/Credit Card/Debit Card/UPI via Payment Gateway. Refund credited to same account within reasonable period after exam. No refund if candidate doesn’t appear.
How to Apply (Three Steps Process)
Step 1: Registration/Re-registration
New Users: Click “Apply Online” → Register for first time
Registered Users: Login → Select “Re-registration” option
Date: 07.01.2026 to 31.01.2026
Step 2: Fill Online Application
After registration, login and fill complete application form with all details and documents
Date: 07.01.2026 to 07.02.2026
Step 3: Pay Exam Fee & Submit
Pay ₹500/- (if applicable) online and submit application. Download confirmation page
Complete before 07.02.2026
- Visit OSSSC website: www.osssc.gov.in
- Read “How do I register/re-register/apply” instructions carefully
- Mere Registration/Re-registration does NOT mean application submission
- Must complete all three steps mandatorily
- Apply well in advance to avoid last hour rush
- System will auto-disable after 07.02.2026
- Only ONLINE applications through OSSSC website accepted
- Incomplete/Paper/Post-deadline applications summarily rejected
- Select maximum 3 convenient districts for test centre in order of priority
- Commission reserves right to allot any district as test centre
Pre-Requisites for Registration & Application
- Photograph: Recent passport size colored photo, scanned in jpg/jpeg/png format (20KB to 100KB)
- Signature: Full specimen signature in BLACK INK on white paper, scanned in jpg/jpeg/png (20KB to 50KB) – NOT in CAPITALS
- Documents: All Educational Certificates, Mark Sheets ready for filling details
- Category Certificates: SC/ST/SEBC/PwD/Sportsperson/Ex-Servicemen certificates as applicable
- Email ID: Own personal valid email ID (mandatory for all communications)
- Mobile Number: Valid mobile number with validity till recruitment completion
- Payment: ₹500/- examination fee (for applicable categories) via online payment gateway
Photo/signature must be clearly visible, otherwise registration/application liable to rejection. Never share email ID/mobile number.
Documents Required for Document Verification
- Caste certificate (SC/ST/SEBC) from competent authority
- UDID card/Disability Certificate (40% disability) from competent authority (if PwD)
- HSC/10th/+2 examination certificates and mark sheets
- Odia language qualification certificate (Class-VII or above final exam)
- Discharge Certificate, Identity Card, service documents (Ex-Servicemen)
- Undertaking of no prior State Govt employment using Ex-Servicemen benefit
- Sportsperson ID card issued by Sports & Youth Services Dept, Odisha
Important Instructions
- Download Admission Letter from website (No hard copy sent by post)
- Visit www.osssc.gov.in regularly for notices and updates
- Date/time/venue of Written Test, Physical Test, DV, Counselling notified on website
- Multiple applications by same candidate will lead to cancellation
- Filling more than one application treated as unfair means – strict action
- No re-test/re-evaluation/re-checking of scores – Commission decision final
- False information/unfair means leads to cancellation and debarment
- PwD candidates: Compensatory time @ 20 min/hour. Scribe permission from ADM-cum-District Superintendent 3 days prior
- Objection against answer keys allowed with nominal fee (to be decided)
- Commission reserves right to conduct additional/re-test or cancel recruitment at any stage
- All disputes subject to jurisdiction of Bhubaneswar Courts only
Official Website: www.osssc.gov.in | Contact: 0674-2597149, 0674-2597152 | Advertisement No. IIE-121/2025-3220/OSSSC dated 30.12.2025 | This is summary; refer to official notification for complete details.
Important Notes & Warnings
Disqualification/Cancellation
- Misrepresentation/suppression/wrong information leads to cancellation at any stage
- Use of unfair means (Physical/Digital) during exam – disqualification and penalty
- Multiple applications from same candidate – cancellation
- Failure to appear/qualify at any stage – disqualification from further process
- Non-observance of Commission instructions – debarment from future exams
- Candidates debarred earlier for specific period not eligible during that period
Provisional Nature of Candidature
- Commission does NOT verify original documents at admission stage
- Admission to examination purely PROVISIONAL based on online application declaration
- Original documents verified only for shortlisted candidates at DV stage by Collectors
- Candidature remains provisional till validation by appointing authority
- Mere participation in DV does NOT confer any right for selection/appointment
- Results published remain provisional till acceptance by requisitioning authority
RTI & Information Availability
- Information uploaded on website NOT provided under RTI Act, 2005
- Information remains on website for specific period only
- Candidates advised to download all uploaded information immediately
- No RTI application entertained during examination or midway of process
Commission’s Final Authority
Decision of Commission in all matters regarding eligibility, acceptance/rejection of applications, penalty for false information, mode of selection, conduct of examination, allotment of test centres, preparation of merit lists, allocation of posts and debarment for malpractice shall be FINAL and BINDING. No enquiry/correspondence entertained.