OPSC Scientific Officer Recruitment 2026 Notification: Biology, Toxicology, DNA & Other Divisions
The Odisha Public Service Commission (OPSC) has announced 89 vacancies for Scientific Officer (Group-B) in the State Forensic Science Service Organization under the Home Department. The posts are spread across 10 divisions: Physics, Ballistics, Chemistry, Toxicology, Biology, Serology, DNA, Forensic Psychology, Cyber Forensic and Document. Pay starts at Rs 44,900 (Level 10), so this is a strong chance for science post-graduates who want a stable government job in Odisha.
The online form is open from 6 November 2026 and closes on 26 November 2026 at 5:00 PM. You can apply for one division only, so choose carefully. Odia language knowledge is compulsory too. Read this guide fully, and keep checking GovtJobsAlert.in for the next updates on this recruitment.
OPSC Scientific Officer Recruitment 2026 Key Highlights
OPSC is the state body that recruits officers for the Government of Odisha. This is Advertisement No. 14 of 2026-27, under the Odisha Forensic Science Service Rules, 2025, and a one-time relaxation notified on 18 July 2026.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Organisation | Odisha Public Service Commission (OPSC) |
| Department | Home Department, State Forensic Science Service Organization |
| Post | Scientific Officer (Group-B) |
| Total Vacancies | 89 (29 for women) |
| Pay | Rs 44,900, Level 10, Cell-1 |
| Job Location | Odisha |
| Application Mode | Online only |
| Last Date | 26 November 2026, 5:00 PM |
| Written Exam | 17 January 2027 |
How Many Vacancies in OPSC Scientific Officer Recruitment 2026 Division-wise?
Seats differ in every division, so check the row for your own division. Some divisions have no seat in a category, for example Ballistics has none for SC.
| Division | Category-wise (women in brackets) | Total |
|---|---|---|
| Physics | UR 4 (1) / SC 1 / ST 2 (1) / SEBC 0 | 7 (2) |
| Ballistics | UR 3 (1) / SC 0 / ST 2 (1) / SEBC 1 | 6 (2) |
| Chemistry | UR 4 (1) / SC 3 (1) / ST 3 (1) / SEBC 0 | 10 (3) |
| Toxicology | UR 8 (3) / SC 3 (1) / ST 2 (1) / SEBC 0 | 13 (5) |
| Biology | UR 6 (2) / SC 4 (1) / ST 2 (1) / SEBC 2 (1) | 14 (5) |
| Serology | UR 3 (1) / SC 1 / ST 0 / SEBC 0 | 4 (1) |
| DNA | UR 6 (2) / SC 2 (1) / ST 3 (1) / SEBC 1 | 12 (4) |
| Forensic Psychology | UR 3 (1) / SC 1 / ST 1 / SEBC 1 | 6 (1) |
| Cyber Forensic | UR 5 (2) / SC 2 (1) / ST 2 (1) / SEBC 2 (1) | 11 (5) |
| Document | UR 3 (1) / SC 1 / ST 1 / SEBC 1 | 6 (1) |
| All Divisions | UR 45 (15) / SC 18 (5) / ST 18 (7) / SEBC 8 (2) | 89 (29) |
4 seats are reserved for Persons with Disabilities (permanent disability of 40% or more): one each in Toxicology, Biology, Forensic Psychology and Document. They are counted inside the 89. A temporary disability does not qualify for this reservation. If no suitable woman is found in a category, that seat goes to a man of the same category. SC and ST seats cannot be exchanged with each other. The number of vacancies can also change without notice.
What is the Eligibility for OPSC Scientific Officer 2026?
Educational Qualification
Every division needs a Master’s degree (or its equivalent) from a recognised university with at least 55% aggregate marks, as per the table below. You must hold it by the date of online application. If you claim an equivalent degree, quote the rule or authority with number and date. Also, SC, ST and SEBC reservation is only for candidates of Odisha.
| Division | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Physics | Master’s in Physics, Applied Physics or Electronics (with Physics in all three B.Sc. years), or Integrated M.Sc. Physics, or Master’s in Forensic Science with Forensic Physics or Ballistics (and Physics or Forensic Science in all three B.Sc. years), or Integrated M.Sc. Forensic Science with the same subjects |
| Ballistics | Master’s in Physics, Applied Physics, Mathematics or Applied Mathematics (Physics or Mathematics in all three B.Sc. years), or Integrated M.Sc. Physics or Mathematics, or Master’s in Forensic Science with Forensic Physics or Ballistics (and Physics, Mathematics or Forensic Science in all three B.Sc. years), or Integrated M.Sc. Forensic Science with the same subjects |
| Chemistry | Master’s in Chemistry, Analytical, Applied, Bio-chemistry, Pharmaceutical Chemistry or Pharmaceutical Quality Assurance, or Integrated M.Sc. Chemistry, or Master’s in Forensic Science with Forensic Chemistry or Toxicology (Chemistry in all three B.Sc. years, or B.Sc. Forensic Science), or Integrated M.Sc. Forensic Science with the same subjects |
| Toxicology | Master’s in Chemistry, Analytical Chemistry or Applied Chemistry, or Integrated M.Sc. Chemistry, or Master’s in Forensic Science with Forensic Chemistry or Toxicology (Chemistry in all three B.Sc. years, or B.Sc. Forensic Science), or Integrated M.Sc. Forensic Science with the same subjects |
| Biology | Master’s in Zoology, Microbiology, Life Science, Genetics, Biotechnology, Biochemistry or Molecular Biology, or Integrated M.Sc. Biology, or Master’s in Forensic Science with Forensic Biology, Serology or DNA (Botany or Zoology in all three B.Sc. years, or B.Sc. Forensic Science), or Integrated M.Sc. Forensic Science with the same subjects |
| Serology | Same qualification as Biology |
| DNA | Same as Biology, but the Forensic Science route needs Zoology in all three B.Sc. years (or B.Sc. Forensic Science); Botany alone is not listed |
| Forensic Psychology | Master’s in Psychology or Forensic Psychology, with Psychology as Honours or principal subject at B.A. or B.Sc. |
| Cyber Forensic | M.Sc. or M.Tech in Computer Science, CSE, IT or Cyber Security, or MCA (with a Bachelor’s in Computer Application, Computer Science, Electronics, Physics, Mathematics or IT), or Master’s in Digital Forensic or Forensic Science with a cyber or computing specialisation |
| Document | Master’s in Physics, Chemistry, or Forensic Science with Chemistry or Physics at B.Sc. |
Check your exact degree name against the annexure in the PDF before paying the fee, as the lists above are shortened. Browse more post graduate government jobs on our site.
Knowledge of Odia
You must be able to speak, read and write Odia. Proof can be any one of these: Odia as a language subject in M.E. School or higher, Matriculation with Odia as medium, Odia as a subject in Class VII, or an Odia test pass of M.E. School standard. The certificate must be issued by the last date of application. Forged Odia certificates mean a criminal case and debarment from OPSC recruitment. OPSC may also test your Odia at the interview.
Age Limit
| Category | Age Rule |
|---|---|
| All candidates | 21 to 42 years as on 1 January 2026 |
| SEBC, SC, ST, Women, Ex-Servicemen | 5 years upper-age relaxation |
| PwD (40% or more permanent disability) | 10 years relaxation |
| PwD who are SEBC, SC or ST | Cumulative relaxation up to 15 years |
🎂 Not sure if you meet the age criteria? Use our free Age Calculator for Government Exams to find your exact age on the cut-off date and instantly check your eligibility — including any age relaxation you qualify for. →
You must be born between 2 January 1984 and 1 January 2005. Only the HSC or equivalent counts for age. Apart from the relaxations above, the age limit can in no case be relaxed, and PwD candidates below 40% disability get none.
OPSC Scientific Officer Salary 2026
| Component | Detail |
|---|---|
| Pay | Rs 44,900, Level 10, Cell-1 of the ORSP Rules, 2017 |
| Allowances | Usual dearness and other allowances sanctioned by the Odisha Government |
| Pension | Defined Contributory Pension (NPS) |
Anyone appointed on or after 1 January 2005 is not eligible for the old pension scheme, and NPS application is mandatory at joining. The notification states only the entry pay, so the top of the pay range is not given.
What is the Selection Process for OPSC Scientific Officer 2026?
| Stage | Detail |
|---|---|
| Written Exam | 400 marks, objective MCQs, Paper-I and Paper-II |
| Personality Test / Viva Voce | 50 marks |
| Document Verification | Original certificates checked |
| Medical Examination | By a Medical Board |
The exam is held at Kataka and Bhubaneswar. Wrong answers carry negative marking of 25% of the marks for that question, in both papers.
| Paper | Pattern |
|---|---|
| Paper-I (100 marks, 90 minutes) | Part A General English (50 questions), Part B General Awareness, Aptitude and Reasoning (50 questions), 1 mark each |
| Paper-II (300 marks, 150 minutes) | 150 questions of 2 marks, separate for each division, Master’s degree level |
OPSC fixes minimum qualifying marks in each paper. Candidates are shortlisted for the personality test in order of merit, at twice the number of vacancies in each category. The final merit list is division-wise on written plus personality test marks. A tie goes to higher Paper-II marks, then to the older candidate. A provisional answer key is uploaded after the exam. If you do not challenge it online in time, you lose the right to raise the matter later. Division-wise syllabus is in Annexure-B of the PDF, and our syllabus page will help your preparation.
How to Apply Online for OPSC Scientific Officer 2026
| Step | Action |
|---|---|
| 1 | Open the OPSC website from Essential Links and read the full advertisement and portal instructions |
| 2 | Register online to get your PPSAN (Permanent Public Service Account Number) |
| 3 | Fill the online form for your one division |
| 4 | Upload photograph, full signature and left thumb impression, clearly visible |
| 5 | Upload all documents merged into one PDF of at most 10 MB |
| 6 | Pay the fee online (not for SC, ST, PwD) and enter your bank details for refund |
| 7 | Submit, take a printout, sign the declaration and keep four photographs ready |
The notification gives no direct application link, only the OPSC website, and the registration link opens on 6 November 2026. To change anything after submission, cancel and apply again by the last date. Keep your H.S.C. certificate, mark-lists, Master’s certificate, Odia proof and caste or disability certificate ready. Only online applications are accepted.
What are the Important Dates for OPSC Scientific Officer 2026?
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification Date | 28 October 2026 |
| Registration and Fee Payment Opens | 6 November 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply and Pay Fee | 26 November 2026, 5:00 PM |
| Written Examination | 17 January 2027 (Sunday) |
| Admit Card | Admission Certificate on the OPSC website before the exam |
Do not wait for the last evening. OPSC advises applying early to avoid the last-hour rush.
OPSC Scientific Officer Application Fee 2026
| Category | Fee |
|---|---|
| General, SEBC and other candidates | Rs 700 |
| SC, ST, PwD | No fee |
Pay online while filling the form. An application without the fee (except SC, ST and PwD) is incomplete and rejected outright. The fee is refunded only to candidates who actually appear in both Paper-I and Paper-II, to the original payment mode after the exam.
Rules That Can Reject Your OPSC Application
| Condition | What it means for you |
|---|---|
| SEBC certificate | Must be issued on or after 7 November 2023, else you lose SEBC reservation. An OBC certificate is not accepted |
| Fake certificates | Cancelled candidature, even later, and debarment for a period OPSC decides |
| Women of SC, ST, SEBC | Caste certificate must say “daughter of”; a “wife of” certificate is liable for rejection |
| Government servants | Inform your office and produce a No Objection Certificate at document verification |
| Earlier debarment | Not eligible for the period or chances you were debarred |
| Late or other-mode applications | Only online applications within the deadline are accepted |
| Character and health | Convicted candidates and those failing the medical test are not appointed |
| Withdrawal | No change of category or withdrawal of candidature is allowed |
| Select list | Being in the select list gives no right to appointment |
| Refund details | Wrong bank details are your own risk; OPSC will not entertain any correspondence on it |
Note that unfair means in the exam bring permanent debarment, and complaints about the exam must be emailed to OPSC within seven days of the exam.
Important Links for OPSC Scientific Officer Recruitment 2026
- Download Official Notification PDF
- Official Notification Page for OPSC Scientific Officer Recruitment 2026 (Advt 14/2026-27)
- Apply Online at OPSC Official Website (registration opens 6 November 2026)
- Join WhatsApp Channel for Government Jobs
- Join Telegram Channel for Government Jobs
- Join Odisha Government Jobs Telegram Channel
If you hold a science, psychology or computer Master’s degree with 55% and can read and write Odia, this is a rare opening in the forensic services of Odisha. Pick your division, arrange your documents this week and apply by 26 November 2026. See more Odisha government job notifications and other government jobs on GovtJobsAlert.in.