OPSC Scientific Officer Recruitment 2026 – 89 Forensic Science Posts
Updated on 8 Nov 2026
Exam date changed: OPSC's 1st corrigendum (6 Nov 2026) moves the written exam from 17 Jan 2027 to 7 Feb 2027 (Sunday). All other terms are unchanged.
OPSC has invited online applications for 89 Scientific Officer (Group-B) posts in Odisha's State Forensic Science Service. Master's degree with 55% needed; apply by 26 Nov 2026, 5 PM.
Important dates
- Notice date
- 28 Oct 2026
- Application starts
- 6 Nov 2026
- Last date to apply
- 26 Nov 2026
- Exam date
- 7 Feb 2027
Job details
- Total posts
- 89
- Qualification
- Master's degree (or integrated M.Sc.) in the subject required for the chosen division, with at least 55% aggregate marks. Each division has its own list of accepted degrees (Annexure-A of the advertisement).
- Age limit
- 21–42 years as on 01 Jan 2026 (relaxation as per rules)
- Application fee
- ₹700; SC/ST/PwD: Nil. Refunded to those who appear in both papers
- Pay scale
- Level 10, Cell 1: ₹44,900
The Odisha Public Service Commission (OPSC) is recruiting 89 Scientific Officers (Group-B) for the State Forensic Science Service Organization under the Home Department, across 10 divisions such as DNA, Toxicology and Cyber Forensic. 29 posts are for women. You need a relevant master's degree with at least 55% marks, and you can apply for only one division.
Division-wise posts and degrees
| Division | Posts (women) | Main degrees accepted |
|---|---|---|
| Physics | 7 (2) | M.Sc. Physics, Applied Physics or Electronics (with Physics in B.Sc.), or Forensic Science with Forensic Physics/Ballistics |
| Ballistics | 6 (2) | M.Sc. Physics, Applied Physics, Mathematics or Applied Mathematics, or Forensic Science with Forensic Physics/Ballistics |
| Chemistry | 10 (3) | M.Sc. Chemistry, Analytical, Applied, Bio- or Pharmaceutical Chemistry, or Forensic Science with Forensic Chemistry/Toxicology |
| Toxicology | 13 (5) | M.Sc. Chemistry, Analytical or Applied Chemistry, or Forensic Science with Forensic Chemistry/Toxicology |
| Biology | 14 (5) | M.Sc. Zoology, Microbiology, Life Science, Genetics, Biotechnology, Biochemistry or Molecular Biology, or Forensic Science with Biology/Serology/DNA |
| Serology | 4 (1) | Same degrees as the Biology division |
| DNA | 12 (4) | M.Sc. Zoology, Biotechnology, Genetics, Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Microbiology or Life Sciences, or Forensic Science with Biology/Serology/DNA |
| Forensic Psychology | 6 (1) | Master's in Psychology or Forensic Psychology, with Psychology as Honours/principal subject in BA or B.Sc. |
| Cyber Forensic | 11 (5) | M.Sc./M.Tech in Computer Science, CSE, IT or Cyber Security; MCA (with a related bachelor's); or Master's in Digital/Cyber Forensics |
| Document | 6 (1) | Master's in Physics or Chemistry, or Forensic Science with Chemistry or Physics in B.Sc. |
| Total | 89 (29) |
This is a short version. Each division accepts a few more combinations, including integrated M.Sc. degrees; the full list is in Annexure-A of the advertisement.
By category: UR 45 (15 women), SEBC 8 (2), SC 18 (5), ST 18 (7). Four posts are reserved for persons with at least 40% permanent disability, one each in Toxicology, Biology, Forensic Psychology and Document.
Eligibility
Degree: the master's degree listed for your division, with at least 55% aggregate marks, completed by the last date. If your university gives grades, upload its conversion certificate showing the percentage.
Age relaxation: 5 years for SEBC, SC, ST, women and ex-servicemen; 10 years for persons with disability; up to 15 years in total for SEBC, SC or ST candidates with a disability. Only the date of birth on your HSC (Class 10) certificate counts.
Odia: you must read, write and speak Odia, and have passed one of these: M.E. School or higher with Odia as a language; Matric with Odia as the medium in a non-language subject; Odia as a language in Class 7; or the M.E. standard Odia test of the School & Mass Education Department or BSE Odisha. OPSC may test your Odia at the interview.
Government employees can apply but must give a No Objection Certificate at document verification, so ask for it early.
Selection process
A written exam of 400 marks and a personality test of 50 marks, 450 in total. Both papers are objective (MCQ).
| Paper | Subjects | Questions and marks | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper I | General English (50 questions); General Awareness, Aptitude and Reasoning (50 questions) | 100 questions, 100 marks | 90 minutes |
| Paper II | Your division's subject, at master's degree level | 150 questions, 300 marks (2 marks each) | 150 minutes |
Negative marking: 25% of a question's marks is cut for each wrong answer, in both papers. OPSC sets qualifying marks for each paper, and calls twice the number of vacancies in each category for the personality test. The exam will be held at Kataka/Bhubaneswar. The Paper II syllabus for every division is in Annexure-B of the advertisement.
Documents to upload
Merge all of these into one PDF of up to 10 MB:
HSC (Class 10) certificate, +2 certificate, bachelor's and master's degree certificates
Mark sheets from HSC to master's, including any fail marks
Caste certificate (SEBC/SC/ST), Odia proof, permanent disability certificate, ex-servicemen release certificate, as applicable
NOC (government employees), photo ID (Aadhaar preferred), and the identity certificate for transgender candidates
The SEBC certificate must be issued on or after 7 Nov 2023; an older one, or an OBC certificate, is not accepted. Women from SC, ST and SEBC must upload a caste certificate that says "daughter of", not "wife of". All certificates must be issued before you submit the form.
How to apply
Read the advertisement and the instructions on the OPSC website.
Register and pay the fee online. You get a Permanent Public Service Account Number (PPSAN).
Fill the form, choose one division, and upload your photo, full signature, left-hand thumb impression and the documents PDF.
To change anything after submitting, cancel the application and apply again before the last date.
Print the submitted form, sign the declaration, and keep it with four copies of the same photo for document verification.
Help: OPSC technical support 0671-2304707; facilitation counter 0671-2304141 / 2305611 (Extn. 205), 10:30 AM to 5:30 PM on working days.
Downloads
Was this helpful?
Always check the official notification before applying. SikhyaSetu is not an official source.