With 436 backlog vacancies on offer, the OPSC VAS Recruitment 2026 is one of the largest veterinary hiring drives Odisha has run in recent years. The Odisha Public Service Commission is inviting applications for Veterinary Assistant Surgeon/Additional Veterinary Assistant Surgeon posts in Group A (Junior Branch II) under the Fisheries & Animal Resources Development Department, carrying a starting pay of ₹56,100 at Level 12 of the pay matrix. The online application window is open from 24 July 2026 to 24 August 2026.
This guide breaks down everything you need to know about the OPSC VAS Recruitment — eligibility, vacancy distribution, salary, exam pattern, and how to apply — without the legal jargon of the original notification.
Recruitment Overview – OPSC VAS Recruitment
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Organization | Odisha Public Service Commission (OPSC) |
| Post Name | Veterinary Assistant Surgeon / Additional VAS (Group-A, Junior Branch-II) |
| Advertisement No. | 04 of 2026-27 |
| Total Vacancies | 436 (144-W) — backlog vacancies |
| 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
All 436 posts under this OPSC VAS Recruitment round are backlog vacancies, distributed as follows:
| Category | Vacancies |
|---|---|
| SEBC | 62 (20-W) |
| SC | 141 (47-W) |
| ST | 233 (77-W) |
| Total | 436 (144-W) |
Within this total, 18 posts are reserved for persons with disabilities (40% or more permanent disability, across Categories I–IV), and 4 posts are reserved for sports persons, all adjusted against their respective SEBC/SC/ST categories.
Eligibility Criteria
Educational Qualification: Candidates need a Bachelor’s degree in Veterinary Science & Animal Husbandry (B.V.Sc. & A.H.) or an equivalent degree from a recognised university, college, or institution in India or abroad. Candidates with foreign degrees must hold conversion certificates recognised by the Veterinary Council of India. A valid registration certificate under the Odisha Veterinary Practitioners Act, 1970, is also mandatory and must be obtained on or before the last date of application.
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 recruitment is being conducted only for SEBC/SC/ST categories, general category candidates are not eligible to apply. PwD candidates within these categories get a further 10-year age relaxation.
Language Requirement: Candidates must be able to speak, read, and write 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.
Salary & Benefits
Selected candidates in this OPSC VAS recruitment drive will draw a starting salary of ₹56,100 at Level-12, Cell-1 of the Pay Matrix under the ORSP Rules 2017, along with Dearness Allowance and other benefits. Beyond the pay scale, a Group-A veterinary posting under the Fisheries & ARD Department offers a meaningfully broader career scope than most state veterinary roles — postings often involve both animal health administration and fisheries-linked livestock programmes, giving officers exposure across two allied departments early in their careers.
Application Fee
| Category | Fee |
|---|---|
| Others | ₹700/- |
| SC/ST/PwD | Exempted |
The fee is payable online and is refunded only to candidates who actually appear for the written examination.
Selection Process
Written Examination (800 marks): Two papers — Paper-I (Veterinary Science) and Paper-II (Animal Science) — each carrying 400 marks across 200 objective questions, with a duration of 2.5 hours per paper. Since both papers combine general awareness with subject-specific questions, candidates preparing for the OPSC VAS recruitment exam should build a revision plan that splits time evenly between core veterinary subjects (medicine, surgery, pathology) and animal science topics (nutrition, genetics, livestock management).
Document verification follows, with the number of candidates called being twice the number of vacancies (or five, whichever is applicable for very small vacancy counts). No interview is conducted for this post — selection is based purely on written exam performance.
How to Apply – Step by Step
- Go to the official OPSC website at https://www.opsc.gov.in and find the Advertisement No. 04 of 2026-27 notice
- Complete the registration process to generate your login credentials
- Enter your personal, educational, and category details accurately in the online application form
- Upload your photograph, signature, and left-hand thumb impression as per the specified format
- Attach scanned certificates, including your B.V.Sc. & A.H. degree, mark sheets, Veterinary Council registration, and caste certificate where applicable
- Pay the examination fee online unless you fall under an exempted category
- Cross-check every entry carefully before final submission, since edits require cancelling and reapplying within the window
- Save a printout of your final application and your PPSAN number for future reference
Is This Job Right for You?
This OPSC VAS Recruitment opening suits SEBC, SC, or ST candidates with a genuine B.V.Sc. & A.H. background who want a Group-A state government career in veterinary and animal health services. It’s a strong option if you’re comfortable meeting the Odisha Veterinary Practitioners Act registration requirement well ahead of applying, since delays there can cost you eligibility. General category candidates should not apply, as this round is restricted to backlog vacancies under SEBC/SC/ST only. A practical prep tip: since both written papers draw heavily from your existing B.V.Sc. coursework, structured revision of your degree syllabus—rather than starting from scratch—will cover most of what’s tested.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the last date to apply for OPSC VAS Recruitment 2026?
The online application window closes on 24 August 2026 at 5:00 PM.
How many vacancies are available in this OPSC VAS Recruitment?
There are 436 backlog vacancies distributed across SEBC, SC, and ST categories.
Is there an interview stage in this recruitment?
No, selection is based entirely on performance in the written examination; there is no interview.
Can general category candidates apply for this post?
No, since this drive covers only backlog vacancies reserved for SEBC, SC, and ST candidates.
What is the salary for the VAS post under this OPSC VAS Recruitment?
Selected candidates receive ₹56,100 at Level-12 of the Pay Matrix, plus applicable allowances.
Conclusion
The OPSC VAS Recruitment 2026 offers 436 Group-A veterinary posts with a strong starting salary, open to SEBC, SC, and ST candidates until 24 August 2026. Given the two-paper written exam covering both veterinary and animal science, candidates should start structured revision early. For full details and to apply, visit the official OPSC website at https://www.opsc.gov.in. You may also find our [Graduate Jobs] [Latest Jobs] section useful for similar veterinary and technical postings.
