Notification
Candidates who will qualify in the. Preliminary Examination shall be called by the Commission, to appear in the Main Examination. The qualifying marks in the Preliminary Examination shall be such as may be fixed by the Commission. The marks obtained in the Preliminary Examination shall not be counted for ranking. The Main Examination shall comprise Odia-language, English, English Essay, General Studies-I & II papers, two optional subjects having two papers each as prescribed in Scheduled-III.
Candidates who obtain such minimum qualifying marks in the Main Examination as may be fixed by the Commission at their discretion shall be called for personality test. The personality test or interview shall carry 250 Marks and no minimum qualifying marks for personality test or interview shall be fixed.Total marks thus obtained by the candidates in the written examination and personality test or interview would determine their ranking. Candidates shall be allotted to the various services keeping in view their ranks in the examination and the preferences indicated by them for various services.
Scheme and subjects for the Examination-
The Preliminary Examination shall consist of two papers of objective type (Multiple choice questions) and each paper shall be of two hours duration. –
| Subject | Marks |
| Paper – I General Studies | 200 Marks |
| Paper – II General Studies | 200 Marks |
The Main Examination shall consist of the following papers and each paper shall be of three hours duration.
Compulsory papers – 1400 marks
| Subject | Marks |
| Paper – I Odia Language | 300 Marks |
| Paper – II English | 300 Marks |
| Paper – III English Essay | 200 Marks |
| Paper – IV General Studies-I | 300 Marks |
| Paper – V General Studies-II | 300 Marks |
| Optional Pagers – (Paper VI, VII, VIII & IX) | 1200 Marks |
Two subjects to be selected from the list of Optional subjects set out below. Each subject will have two papers and each paper carrying 300 marks.
Candidates may be required to write essays on multiple topics. They will be expected to keep closely to the subject of the essay to arrange their ideas in orderly fashion, and to write concisely. Credit will be given for effective and exact expression.
This is the last stage of the OPSC OAS Examination before the final results are declared. Officially it is called the Interview/Personality Test and known to be a part of the Mains Examination for merit ranking purposes. From a preparation point of view, it is considered the third stage as preparation strategies and approaches for the written and interview stages are different. As per the OAS exam pattern, this consists of an interview by the OPSC board to assess the candidates’ suitability for a state civil services career and associated responsibilities attached to the post. The board consists of competent and unbiased observers who have a record of the candidates’ career (filled by the candidate in the Detailed Application Form). The board would judge the candidates mental, emotional and social traits by asking questions of general interest. Some of the qualities that the board looks for are mental alertness, critical powers of assimilation, attitude, clear and logical exposition, a balance of judgement, variety and depth of interest, ability for social cohesion and leadership, team work, intellectual and moral integrity.
