The Odisha Public Service Commission (OPSC) has announced 340 Assistant Section Officer (ASO) vacancies under the Odisha Secretariat Service Cadre. The recruitment offers an opportunity for eligible graduates seeking a Group-B government job in Odisha. According to the recruitment announcement, online applications will begin on November 9, 2026, and candidates can submit their forms until November 30, 2026.
The written examination is tentatively scheduled for January 17, 2027. Interested candidates should check the detailed advertisement, eligibility requirements and examination instructions before applying.
OPSC ASO Recruitment 2026: Important Details
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Recruiting body | Odisha Public Service Commission |
| Post | Assistant Section Officer |
| Group | Group-B |
| Total vacancies | 340 |
| Department | Home Department |
| Cadre | Odisha Secretariat Service |
| Application mode | Online |
| Application start | November 9, 2026 |
| Last date | November 30, 2026 |
| Written examination | January 17, 2027 (tentative) |
| Basic pay | ₹35,400 |
| Official website | opsc.gov.in |
Category-Wise Vacancy Details
OPSC has announced 340 vacancies across different reservation categories.
| Category | Vacancies |
|---|---|
| Unreserved (UR) | 144 |
| SEBC | 38 |
| Scheduled Caste (SC) | 81 |
| Scheduled Tribe (ST) | 77 |
| Total | 340 |
Of the total vacancies, 114 posts are reserved for women. The recruitment also includes provisions for eligible persons with disabilities, ex-servicemen and sportspersons under applicable reservation rules.
Application Dates and Examination Schedule
Candidates planning to apply should keep the following dates in mind:
- Online application begins: November 9, 2026.
- Last date for online application: November 30, 2026.
- Tentative written examination: January 17, 2027.
The application deadline is November 30, 2026. Candidates should avoid waiting until the final day to complete registration and submission.
Eligibility Criteria for OPSC ASO Recruitment
Educational qualification: Applicants must hold a Bachelor’s degree in any discipline from a recognised university or an equivalent qualification. Candidates must also satisfy the computer application knowledge requirements mentioned in the official recruitment notification.
Age limit: Candidates must be between 21 and 42 years of age as specified in the recruitment conditions, with the prescribed cut-off date of January 1, 2026. Applicable age relaxations are governed by the official notification.
Odia language requirement: Candidates must satisfy the prescribed Odia language qualification conditions. These include specified school-level Odia examinations or an equivalent qualifying test.
Applicants should carefully verify their certificates and eligibility before submitting the online application.
OPSC ASO Selection Process and Exam Pattern
The selection process consists of a written examination followed by a qualifying computer skill test. The written examination carries 400 marks, while the practical computer test carries 50 marks.
The written examination consists of three papers:
| Paper | Subject | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Paper I | General Awareness | 100 |
| Paper II | Reasoning, Mental Ability and Mathematics | 100 |
| Paper III | English and Odia | 200 |
| Total | 400 |
The computer skill test is practical in nature and carries 50 marks. Candidates should prepare for computer applications, including Windows, MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, MS Access and internet services.
The examination includes negative marking of 0.25 marks for each incorrect answer, according to the reported examination scheme. Candidates should check the official advertisement for the detailed qualifying requirements.
OPSC ASO Salary 2026
The Assistant Section Officer post comes under Pay Level 9, Cell 1, with a starting basic pay of ₹35,400 per month under the Odisha Revised Scales of Pay Rules, 2017.
In addition to basic pay, selected candidates will receive applicable government allowances and benefits as per the prevailing rules. These may include Dearness Allowance and House Rent Allowance, depending on eligibility and posting conditions.
How to Apply for OPSC ASO Recruitment 2026
Eligible candidates can submit their applications through the official Odisha Public Service Commission website.
The application process involves:
- Visit the official OPSC website.
- Open the Assistant Section Officer recruitment advertisement, Advertisement No. 15 of 2026-27.
- Complete the online registration.
- Enter the required personal, educational and other details.
- Upload the prescribed documents.
- Pay the applicable examination fee.
- Review the application and submit it.
- Save a copy of the submitted application for future reference.
Official websites:
- OPSC: opsc.gov.in
- Online recruitment portal: OPSC Apply Online
Candidates should read the complete advertisement before applying. The official OPSC website lists the ASO advertisement dated November 5, 2026.
What Does an Assistant Section Officer Do?
An Assistant Section Officer plays an important role in the administrative functioning of government departments. The position involves handling official files, preparing documents and supporting senior officers in routine administrative work.
Major responsibilities generally include:
- File management: Maintaining, processing and organising official records.
- Drafting: Preparing letters, reports, notes and official correspondence.
- Departmental coordination: Communicating with different sections and departments.
- Data management: Collecting and organising information required for administrative decisions.
- Administrative assistance: Supporting senior officers in daily office activities.
Career Growth and Promotion Opportunities
The ASO position offers opportunities for career advancement within the government administration. With experience, departmental requirements and applicable promotion rules, officers may progress to higher administrative positions.
The commonly described career progression includes:
- Assistant Section Officer
- Section Officer
- Under Secretary
- Deputy Secretary
- Joint Secretary
The actual promotion structure, designations and timelines depend on the applicable service rules and government decisions. Candidates should not assume a fixed promotion period.
Previous ASO Recruitment and Vacancy Background
Odisha has conducted ASO recruitment examinations in previous years through different recruitment notifications.
One major previous recruitment drive was for 796 Group-B posts in the Odisha Secretariat Service under the Home Department, with the notification issued on December 31, 2021.
Another recruitment mentioned in the supplied Odisha Career information was for 29 Assistant Section Officer posts in the Office of the Advocate General, Odisha, Cuttack. Its result was declared on December 31, 2025.
These are separate recruitment exercises from the newly announced 340-post OPSC ASO recruitment for 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. How many vacancies are available in OPSC ASO Recruitment 2026?
OPSC has announced 340 Assistant Section Officer vacancies.
2. When will the online application process begin?
Applications are reported to begin on November 9, 2026. Candidates should confirm the activation date on the official portal.
3. What is the last date to apply?
The reported last date is November 30, 2026, at 5 PM.
4. What is the educational qualification for ASO?
Candidates must hold a Bachelor’s degree from a recognised university and fulfil the prescribed computer knowledge and Odia language requirements.
5. What is the age limit?
The prescribed age range is 21 to 42 years as of January 1, 2026, subject to applicable relaxations.
6. What is the starting salary of an Odisha ASO?
The starting basic pay is ₹35,400 per month under Pay Level 9.
7. What is the selection process?
Selection involves a 400-mark written examination and a qualifying computer skill test carrying 50 marks.
8. When will the OPSC ASO written examination take place?
The written examination is tentatively scheduled for January 17, 2027.
9. Is computer knowledge compulsory?
Yes. Candidates must meet the prescribed computer application knowledge requirements and qualify in the practical computer skill test.
10. Where can candidates apply?
Candidates can apply through the official OPSC recruitment portal at opsc.gov.in.
