Odisha removes attempt limit for Odisha Civil Services examination
Eligible candidates can now appear for the OCS exam any number of times provided they meet age requirements.
The Odisha government has approved a proposal to allow unlimited attempts for the Odisha Civil Services (OCS) examination, according to reports by India Today and Moneycontrol. The decision was made during a State Cabinet meeting led by Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on November 9, 2026.
The Cabinet cleared amendments to the Odisha Civil Services (Combined Competitive Recruitment Examination) Rules, 1991. Under these revised rules, candidates may sit for the exam as many times as they wish, as long as they satisfy the prescribed age and other eligibility conditions.
Previously, the number of attempts was restricted by category. General category applicants were limited to six attempts, while those from the Socially and Educationally Backward Classes (SEBC) could take the exam up to nine times. Candidates from the Scheduled Caste (SC) and Scheduled Tribe (ST) categories already had no limit on attempts.
The Odisha Public Service Commission (OPSC) conducts the OCS examination every year to recruit for various Group A and Group B posts. Successful candidates are appointed to departments including administrative, police, revenue, and welfare services.
The state government stated that the amendment aims to create fairer and wider opportunities for merit-based selection. This allows eligible aspirants more chances to compete for state government positions.