Odisha Civil Services exam: Cabinet approves unlimited attempts for all categories, removes cap on OPSC recruitment test

Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi-led Cabinet has approved the removal of attempt limits for the Odisha Civil Services examination, allowing candidates across all categories to appear unlimited times.

The Odisha government has approved a major change in the Odisha Civil Services (Combined Competitive Recruitment Examination) Rules, 1991, removing the restriction on the number of attempts candidates can make in the state civil services examination.

With the amendment, aspirants from all categories will be eligible to appear for the Odisha Civil Services (OCS) examination as many times as they wish, subject to the prescribed upper age limit and other eligibility conditions.The decision was cleared by the Odisha Cabinet at a meeting chaired by Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi.

The approval removes the category-wise limits that had earlier determined how many times candidates could take the examination conducted by the Odisha Public Service Commission (OPSC).The move is expected to provide greater flexibility to civil services aspirants, particularly those who have been preparing for the examination over several years but were restricted by the existing attempt ceiling.Odisha removes category-wise attempt limits for OCS examination Under the existing provisions, General category candidates were permitted a maximum of six attempts, while candidates belonging to the Socially and Educationally Backward Classes (SEBC) category could appear for the examination up to nine times.

Candidates from the Scheduled Caste (SC) and Scheduled Tribe (ST) categories were already entitled to unlimited attempts.With the latest Cabinet approval, these distinctions in the permissible number of attempts will no longer apply.

Candidates across General, SEBC, SC and ST categories will be able to take the OCS examination repeatedly, provided they remain within the maximum age limit and satisfy the other eligibility requirements.The amendment is expected to remove an additional barrier for candidates who may require multiple examination cycles to clear the competitive recruitment process.

However, the relaxation does not mean that candidates can appear beyond the prescribed age limit.Independence Day announcement gets Cabinet approval Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi had first announced the decision on Independence Day, stating that candidates appearing for the OPSC Civil Services Examination would be allowed unlimited attempts until they reach the maximum permissible age.The Cabinet's approval now gives effect to the announcement through an amendment to the Odisha Civil Services (Combined Competitive Recruitment Examination) Rules, 1991.The decision also follows repeated representations from civil services aspirants who had sought the removal of attempt restrictions.

Candidates had argued for a relaxation similar to those introduced in several other states, where the number of attempts is not necessarily the primary eligibility barrier.By removing the attempt ceiling, the government intends to widen access to the recruitment process and provide candidates with more opportunities to compete on merit.OPSC Civil Services examination: Recruitment process and selection stages The OPSC conducts the Odisha Civil Services examination to recruit candidates for various Group A and Group B posts in the state government.

These include positions in administrative, police, revenue and welfare-related services.The recruitment process involves multiple stages, including the preliminary examination, the main written examination and the personality test.

Candidates who qualify at each stage progress to the subsequent round of selection.The final merit list is prepared based on the prescribed selection criteria.

Candidates selected for appointment are subsequently required to complete document verification and other formalities.OPSC OCS 2025 Mains examination: Results awaited Meanwhile, candidates who appeared for the OPSC OCS 2025 Main Examination are awaiting the declaration of results.

The examination was conducted from October 31 to November 7, 2026.Candidates shortlisted in the Mains examination will be eligible to appear for the personality test.

Following the interview stage, the commission will prepare the final merit list based on candidates' performance across the prescribed selection stages.Those who make it to the final selection list will have to undergo document verification before the completion of appointment formalities.The removal of attempt restrictions is expected to benefit future OCS aspirants by allowing them to continue competing in subsequent examination cycles without the risk of exhausting their permitted attempts.

The prescribed age limit and other recruitment conditions, however, will continue to determine eligibility.