| Board | Odisha Public Service Commission (OPSC) |
| State | Odisha |
| Qualification | BFSc |
| Salary | ₹44,900/- (Level-10 of Pay Matrix, ORSP Rules 2017) + usual allowances |
| Apply Mode | Online |
| Last Date | 24 Aug 2026 |
Keeping track of key dates is essential for a successful application. Mark these dates in your calendar to ensure you don't miss any deadlines for the OPSC Assistant Fisheries Officer recruitment.
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Online Application Start Date | 24.07.2026 |
| Online Application Closing Date | 24.08.2026, 5:00 PM |
| Written Examination Date | 26.09.2026 (Saturday) |
This recruitment drive is a special opportunity exclusively for Scheduled Caste (SC) and Scheduled Tribe (ST) candidates. A total of 44 posts for Assistant Fisheries Officer (Group-B) are available under the Fisheries and Animal Resources Development Department, Government of Odisha. The official notification specifies the distribution as follows:
| Category | No. of Vacancies |
|---|---|
| Scheduled Caste (SC) & Scheduled Tribe (ST) (Combined) | 43 (13-W) |
| Total | 44 (13-W) |
Candidates belonging to Ex-Servicemen and Persons with Disabilities (PwD) categories will have their reservations adjusted against the categories (SC/ST) to which they belong. It is important to note that the number of vacancies is subject to change by the Government without prior notice.
Before applying, candidates must carefully review the eligibility criteria to ensure they meet all requirements. This recruitment is specifically for SC/ST candidates.
| Criteria | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Educational Qualification | Bachelor's Degree in Fishery Science (B.F.Sc.) from a recognized University in India or abroad. |
| Nationality | Must be a citizen of India. |
| Odia Language Proficiency | Must be able to read, write, and speak Odia, and satisfy one of the following:
|
| Other Conditions |
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Educational Qualification Explained: To be eligible, you must hold a Bachelor's Degree in Fishery Science (B.F.Sc.). This degree should be from a university recognized either in India or internationally. Ensure your degree certificate clearly states B.F.Sc.
Nationality Explained: Only Indian citizens are eligible to apply for these government posts.
Odia Language Proficiency Explained: As this is an Odisha government job, proficiency in the Odia language is mandatory. You need to demonstrate your ability to read, write, and speak Odia. The notification provides several ways to prove this, such as having studied Odia in middle school or matriculation, or passing a specific Odia language test.
Other Conditions Explained: These are general conduct and health requirements. The "one living spouse" rule is a standard government service condition. You must be in good health and free from any physical issues that might hinder your duties. If you are currently a government employee, you need to formally inform your department and secure a No Objection Certificate (NOC) before applying. Also, ensure you have not been debarred from any previous examinations by OPSC or other public service commissions.
The age criteria are crucial for this special recruitment. Candidates must fall within the specified age bracket as on the cutoff date.
| Post/Category | Age Limit | Cutoff Date |
|---|---|---|
| Assistant Fisheries Officer (SC/ST) | Minimum 21 years, Maximum 47 years | 01 January 2026 |
This means a candidate must have been born not earlier than 2nd January 1979 and not later than 1st January 2005. The date of birth recorded in your High School Certificate or equivalent will be accepted for age verification.
Age RelaxationFor Persons with Disabilities (PwD) belonging to SC/ST categories, an age relaxation of 10 years is applicable over and above the maximum age limit of 47 years, provided they have 40% or more permanent disability. This relaxation is specifically for Cat-I (Visually Impaired) and Cat-II (Hearing Impaired) candidates, as per government requisition. Candidates eligible for multiple age relaxation benefits will receive only the most beneficial one. No other age relaxations are applicable.
A significant advantage for candidates applying for the OPSC Assistant Fisheries Officer posts is that no application fee is required.
| Category | Fee |
|---|---|
| All Candidates | Nil |
This means you do not need to pay any examination fee for applying or appearing in this recruitment process. This simplifies the application and makes it accessible to all eligible SC/ST candidates.
The selection for the Assistant Fisheries Officer posts will be based on a competitive examination comprising two main stages: a Written Examination and an Interview (Viva Voce Test).
| Stage | Process | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| A. Written Examination | Objective Type, Subject-specific (Paper-I & Paper-II) | 800 Marks |
| B. Interview (Viva Voce Test) | Personality and General Knowledge assessment | 100 Marks |
Written Examination: This is the first and most crucial stage, carrying 800 marks. It will be an objective-type examination, divided into two papers (Paper-I and Paper-II), focusing on subject-specific knowledge relevant to Fishery Science. The Commission will set minimum qualifying marks for each paper, which candidates must achieve to proceed further.
Interview (Viva Voce Test): Candidates who secure the minimum qualifying marks in the written examination will be called for the Interview. The number of candidates called for the interview will be approximately two times the advertised vacancies for each category and sub-category, subject to a minimum of 5 candidates. The interview carries 100 marks and assesses your personality, communication skills, and general awareness.
Merit List: The final merit list will be prepared by combining the total marks obtained in both the Written Examination and the Interview. Cut-off marks and individual scores will be published on the OPSC website only after the declaration of the final result and select list.
Understanding the exam pattern is vital for effective preparation. The written examination for the Assistant Fisheries Officer post consists of two papers, both objective and subject-specific.
| Paper | Duration | No. of Questions | Total Marks | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paper-I | 2 hours 30 minutes | As per official notification | 400 Marks | Objective & Subject-specific |
| Paper-II | 2 hours 30 minutes | As per official notification | 400 Marks | Objective & Subject-specific |
Each question in the written examination carries 2 marks. A significant point to note is that there will be no negative marking for incorrect answers. This means candidates can attempt all questions without fear of losing marks for wrong responses. The Commission will determine the qualifying marks for each paper, which candidates must achieve to be considered for the next stage of selection.
The written examination will test your knowledge in various aspects of Fishery Science. The syllabus is divided into two papers, each covering specific topics:
Paper-I TopicsThe post of Assistant Fisheries Officer (Group-B) offers an attractive salary package as per the Odisha government norms.
| Post Name | Pay Scale |
|---|---|
| Assistant Fisheries Officer | ₹44,900/- (Level-10 of Pay Matrix, ORSP Rules 2017) + usual allowances |
This means that upon selection, you will be placed at Level-10 of the Pay Matrix as per the Odisha Revised Scales of Pay (ORSP) Rules, 2017, with a basic pay of ₹44,900/-. In addition to the basic pay, you will also be entitled to usual allowances as admissible to Odisha Government employees, which typically include Dearness Allowance (DA), House Rent Allowance (HRA), and other benefits, making the overall remuneration quite competitive.
When applying online, you will need to upload certain documents. It's wise to prepare these in advance to ensure a smooth application process. While the notification doesn't list every single document, based on standard government recruitment practices and specific mentions, you should keep the following ready:
Ensure all documents are scanned clearly and meet the specified file size and format requirements for online upload. Incorrect or unclear documents can lead to rejection of your application.
The application process for the OPSC Assistant Fisheries Officer Recruitment 2026 is entirely online. Follow these steps carefully to submit your application successfully:
Remember, the application window is from 24th July 2026 to 24th August 2026 (5:00 PM). Apply well before the closing date to avoid last-minute technical issues.
To ensure a smooth application process and avoid any issues, keep the following important instructions in mind: