With 44 vacancies open under a special recruitment drive, the OPSC Fisheries Officer Recruitment 2026 gives SC and ST candidates holding a fishery science degree a direct route into Odisha’s Fisheries and Animal Resources Development Department. The Odisha Public Service Commission is inviting applications for Assistant Fisheries Officer (Group-B) posts at a starting salary of ₹44,900, with the online application window open from 24 July 2026 to 24 August 2026.
This guide covers everything about the OPSC Fisheries Officer notification — eligibility, vacancy split, salary, exam pattern, and how to apply — in plain, practical terms.
Recruitment Overview
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Organization | Odisha Public Service Commission (OPSC) |
| Post Name | Assistant Fisheries Officer (Group-B) |
| Advertisement No. | 05 of 2026-27 |
| Total Vacancies | 44 (13-W) — special recruitment |
| Job Location | Odisha |
| Application Mode | Online |
| Job Type | State Government (Fisheries & ARD Department) |
| Official Website | https://www.opsc.gov.in |
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification Date | 18 July 2026 |
| Online Application Start | 24 July 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply | 24 August 2026 (5:00 PM) |
| Written Examination | 26 September 2026 (Saturday) |
Vacancy Details
This OPSC Fisheries Officer drive is a special recruitment exclusively for SC and ST candidates, with vacancies distributed as follows:
| Category | Vacancies |
|---|---|
| SC | 01 |
| ST | 43 (13-W) |
| Total | 44 (13-W) |
Within this, 1 post is reserved for ex-servicemen, 1 post for persons with disabilities under Category I (visually impaired), and 1 post for Category-II (hearing impaired), all adjusted against their respective SC/ST categories.
Eligibility Criteria
Educational Qualification: Candidates need a Bachelor’s Degree in Fishery Science (B.F.Sc.) from a recognised university in India or abroad. No other equivalent qualification is mentioned as acceptable for this OPSC Fisheries Officer post.
Age Limit: Candidates must be between 21 and 47 years old as of 1 January 2026 — born between 2 January 1979 and 1 January 2005. Since this is a special recruitment for SC and ST categories only, general and SEBC category candidates are not eligible to apply. PwD candidates within SC/ST get a further 10-year age relaxation over 47 years.
Language Requirement: Candidates must be able to read, write, and speak Odia, verified through a middle school-level exam or a prescribed Odia test.
Other Conditions: Applicants must be Indian citizens, medically fit, and not have more than one living spouse unless exempted by the state government.
Salary & Benefits
Selected candidates in this OPSC Fisheries Officer recruitment will draw a starting salary of ₹44,900 at Level-10, Cell-1 of the Pay Matrix under the ORSP Rules 2017, along with Dearness Allowance and other benefits. Notably, no examination fee applies to this post at all — a detail worth highlighting, since it removes a common barrier for candidates from reserved categories and makes this one of the more accessible Group-B openings in the state fisheries administration this year.
Application Fee
No examination fee is required for this OPSC Fisheries Officer recruitment – applicable to all categories, with no exemptions needed since there’s nothing to pay.
Selection Process
Written Examination (800 marks): Two papers — Paper-I and Paper-II — each carrying 400 marks across 200 objective questions, with a duration of 2.5 hours per paper. There is no negative marking, which is a meaningful advantage for candidates preparing for the OPSC Fisheries Officer exam, since it rewards attempting every question rather than skipping uncertain ones.
Viva Voce Test (100 marks): Candidates who clear the qualifying marks in the written exam are called for an interview in a ratio of roughly twice the vacancies per category, subject to a minimum of five.
Final merit for the OPSC Fisheries Officer post is based on combined marks from the written exam and interview.
How to Apply – Step by Step
- Visit the official OPSC website at https://www.opsc.gov.in and locate the Advertisement No. 05 of 2026-27 notice
- Register on the portal to generate your login credentials
- Fill in your personal, educational, and category details accurately in the online form
- Upload your photograph, signature, and left-hand thumb impression as specified
- Attach scanned certificates, including your B.F.Sc. degree, mark sheets, Fishery Registration Certificate, and caste certificate
- Since no application fee applies to this OPSC Fisheries Officer recruitment, you can skip the payment step entirely
- Review every field carefully before final submission, as edits are extremely limited once confirmed
- Download and retain a printout of your final application along with your PPSAN for future reference
Is This Job Right for You?
This OPSC Fisheries Officer opening suits SC and ST candidates with a genuine B.F.Sc. background who want a stable Group-B career in aquaculture and fisheries administration. It’s a strong fit if you’re comfortable with the Odia language requirement and want early exposure to fisheries policy and field operations. Candidates outside SC/ST categories should not apply, since this round is a special recruitment restricted to those groups only. A practical prep tip: since the written exam draws on your existing B.F.Sc. coursework, structured revision of core aquaculture and fisheries science topics will cover most of what’s tested.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the last date to apply for OPSC Fisheries Officer 2026?
The online application window closes on 24 August 2026 at 5:00 PM.
How many vacancies are there in this OPSC Fisheries Officer recruitment?
There are 44 vacancies, split between SC (1) and ST (43) categories.
Is there an application fee for this post?
No, no examination fee is required for this OPSC Fisheries Officer recruitment, regardless of category.
Can general category candidates apply for the OPSC Fisheries Officer post?
No, this is a special recruitment open only to SC and ST candidates.
Is there an interview stage in this OPSC Fisheries Officer selection process?
Yes, shortlisted candidates from the written exam appear for a Viva Voce Test worth 100 marks.
What is the qualification required for this OPSC Fisheries Officer post?
A Bachelor’s Degree in Fishery Science (B.F.Sc.) from a recognised university.
Conclusion
The OPSC Fisheries Officer Recruitment 2026 offers 44 fee-free Group B posts exclusively for SC and ST candidates with a fishery science background, with applications open until 24 August 2026. Given the two-paper written exam and interview stage, early preparation focused on your B.F.Sc. syllabus will serve you well. For full details and to apply, visit the official OPSC website at https://www.opsc.gov.in. You may also find our [Graduate Jobs] [Odisha Jobs] [Latest Jobs] section useful for similar science-based government postings.
