The Odisha Public Service Commission (OPSC) organizes the Odisha Civil Services (OCS) Examination annually to select eligible candidates for various Group A and Group B posts under the State Government. Every year, thousands of aspirants apply for this prestigious exam to secure administrative positions in Odisha. To perform well in the selection process, candidates should have a complete understanding of the latest OPSC OCS syllabus and exam pattern. In this article, we have covered detailed information on the Prelims and Mains syllabus, marking scheme, and subject-wise topics to help candidates prepare effectively for the upcoming OPSC OCS 2025 exam.
OPSC OCS Syllabus and Exam Pattern 2025
The Odisha Public Service Commission (OPSC) conducts the Odisha Civil Services (OCS) Exam in three phases – Preliminary Exam, Main Exam, and Interview (Personality Test). Aspirants preparing for the OPSC OCS 2025 exam should thoroughly understand the latest syllabus and exam structure to plan their preparation effectively. A clear idea of the Prelims and Mains syllabus helps candidates focus on important subjects and improve their chances of success in the OPSC Civil Services Examination 20
| OPSC Syllabus 2025 : Overview | |
| Organization Name | Odisha Public Service Commission |
| Exam Name | Odisha Civil Services Exam 2025 |
| Post Name | Group A and B |
| Category | Syllabus |
| Mode of Exam | Offline |
| Negative Marking | Prelims- ⅓rd mark (0.33) |
| Selection Process | Prelim, Mains, and Personality Test/Interview |
| Official Website | https://www.opsc.gov.in/ |
OPSC Prelims Exam Pattern 2025
The Odisha Civil Services Preliminary Examination is the first stage of the selection process conducted by the Odisha Public Service Commission (OPSC). Although the marks obtained in the Prelims Exam are not considered for the final merit list, candidates must secure good scores to qualify for the Mains Examination.
The OPSC OCS Prelims comprises two compulsory papers – General Studies Paper 1 and General Studies Paper 2. Both papers are objective in nature and carry equal weightage. Candidates must appear for both papers to be eligible for shortlisting.
To qualify, candidates need to score at least 33% marks in GS Paper 2, while the qualifying cutoff for GS Paper 1 is determined by the Commission. Each paper consists of 200 multiple-choice questions (MCQs) and is conducted for 2 hours (120 minutes). Every correct answer carries 1 mark, and 0.33 marks are deducted for each wrong response as per the negative marking scheme.
| OPSC Prelims Exam Pattern 2025 | ||
| Subjects | Maximum Marks | Duration |
| General Studies Paper I | 200 | 2 hours |
| General Studies Paper II | 200 | 2 hours |
OPSC OCS Mains Exam Pattern 2025
The Odisha Civil Services (OCS) Mains Examination is the second and most crucial stage of the OPSC recruitment process. The Mains exam includes nine descriptive papers, out of which two are qualifying papers (Odia and English Language), and the remaining seven papers are considered for the final merit list.
The marks obtained in all seven compulsory merit-based papers, along with the interview (personality test) marks, are counted while preparing the final OPSC OCS merit list. Each paper in the OPSC OCS Mains is of 3 hours duration (180 minutes) and the examination is usually conducted over five or more days.
To qualify, candidates must secure at least 25% marks in both the Odia and English Language papers. All papers are descriptive in nature and are mandatory for every candidate appearing in the Mains examination.
| Part-II: PAPERS TO BE COUNTED FOR MERIT | Marks |
| Paper-I: Essay | 250 |
| Paper-II : General Studies-I (Indian Heritage and Culture, Odisha Heritage and Culture, History and Geography of the World and Society) | 250 |
| Paper-III : General Studies-II (Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice and Inter-State Relations) | 250 |
| Paper-IV : General Studies-III (Technology, Economic Development, Bio-diversity, Environment, Security and Disaster 250 Management) | 250 |
| Paper-V: General Studies-IV (Ethics, Integrity and Aptitude) | 250 |
| Paper-VI: Optional Subject – Paper-I | 250 |
| Paper-VII: Optional Subject – Paper-II | 250 |
| SUB-TOTAL (WRITTEN TEST) | 1750 Marks |
| Personality Test | 250 Marks |
| GRAND TOTAL | 2000 Marks |
OPSC OCS Mains Syllabus 2025
| Odia Language | This paper assesses comprehension, usage, vocabulary, précis writing, short essays, and translation from English to Odia. Comprehension of Given Passages Usage and Vocabulary Precis Writing Short Essays Translation from English to the Odia language and vice versa |
| English Language | Through English language paper, the candidates will be evaluated in term of comprehension, usage, vocabulary, précis writing, short essays, and translation from Odia to English. Comprehension of Given Passages Usage and Vocabulary Precis Writing Short Essays |
PAPER-II
General Studies-I: Indian Heritage and Culture, Odisha Heritage & Culture,
History and Geography of the World & Society
| Heritage and Culture Indian culture covering the salient aspects of Art forms, Literature and Architecture from Ancient to Modern times. Temple Architecture of Odisha. Socio-cultural development in Odisha. Bhakti Movement in Odisha and its impact on the Society of Odisha. Evolution and Growth of Odia Language and Literature and development Odia Literature Regional Tradition of Odisha-Festivals. |
History
| Modern Indian history from about the middle of the eighteenth century until the present – significant events, personalities, issues. The Freedom Struggle – its various stages and important contributors/ contributions from different parts of the country. Post-independence consolidation and reorganization within the country. Kalinga War and its significance Dynastic History of Odisha: Mahameghavahan Kharavela, The Bhauma Karas and The Somavamsis, The Gangas and Gajapatis. Early Resistance Movements in Odisha- Paik Rebellion, Vir Surendra Sai and the Revolt of 1857. Creation of Odisha Province. of Freedom Movement and Praja Mandal Movements in Odisha; Social bases Odia Nationalism; Integration of Princely States in Odisha; Social reform movements in Odisha. |
Geography of India with special reference to Odisha
| Physical, economic and social geography of India. Important Geophysical phenomena such as earthquakes, Tsunami, Volcanic activity, cyclone, geographical features and their location-changes in critical geographical features (including water-bodies and ice-caps) and in flora and fauna and the effects of such changes. Odisha’s natural resources: water, forests & minerals. Odisha’s Physiography and Riverine system. Salient features of Indian society, Diversity of India and Odisha. Role of women and women’s organization, population an associated issues, poverty and developmental issues, urbanization, their problems and remedies. Effects of globalization on Indian society as a whole and Odisha. Distribution and growth of tribes and tribal population in Urbanization – Growth of urban population and urban centers in Odisha. Social empowerment, communalism, regionalism & secularism. |
PAPER-3
General Studies-II: Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice and Inter State Relations
Governance, Constitution, Polity and Inter-state relations
| Indian Constitution • historical underpinnings, amendments, significant provisions and basic structure. evolution, features, Functions and responsibilities of the Union and the States, issues and challenges pertaining to the federal structure, devolution of powers and finances up to local levels and challenges therein. Separation of powers between various organs dispute redressal mechanisms andinstitutions. Comparison of the Indian constitutional scheme withthat of other countries. Parliament and State legislatures – structure, functioning, conduct of business, powers & privileges and issues arising out ofthese. Structure, organization and functioning of the Executive and the Judiciary Ministries and Departments of the Government; pressure groups and formal/informal associations and their role in the Polity. Salient features of the Representation of People’s act, Odisha Right to Public Services Act and Odisha Lokayukta Act. Appointment to various Constitutional posts, responsibilities of various Constitutional bodies. powers, functions, and Statutory, regulatory, and various quasi-judicial bodies. Important aspects of governance, transparency and accountability, egovernance- applications, models, successes, limitations, and potential; citizens charters, transparency & accountability, and institutional and other measures. Role of Central and State Civil services in a democracy. Panchayati Raj Institution (PRIs) in Odisha. Odisha and its neighborhood -relations. |
Social Justice
| Government policies and interventions for development in various sector issues arising out of their design and implementation – India and Odisha. Development processes and the development industry – the role of MSMES & women SHGs. Welfare schemes for vulnerable sections of the population by the State and the performance of these schemes; mechanisms, laws, institutions, and Bodies constituted for the protection and betterment of these vulnerable sections- India and Odisha. Issues relating to development and management of social sector/ Services relating to Health, Education, Human Resources – India and Odisha. Issues relating to poverty and hunger – Sustainable Development Goals. |
PAPER-IV
General Studies-III: Technology, Economic Development, Bio-diversity,
Environment, Security and Disaster Management
Science & Technology
Science and Technology-developments and their applications and effects in
everyday life.
Achievements of Indians in science & technology; Indigenisation of technology
and developing new technology.
Awareness in the fields of IT, Space, Computers, Robotics, Nanotechnology,
Bio-technology and issues relating to intellectual property rights.
Economic Development
Indian Economy and issues relating to planning, mobilization of resources,
growth, development and employment.
Inclusive growth and issues arising from it.
Government Budgeting – India and Odisha.
Land reforms in India & Odisha.
Effects of liberalization on the economy, changes in industrial policy and their
effects on industrial growth.
Infrastructure: Energy, Posts, Roads, Airports, Railways in the Country and
Odisha.
Industrialisation in Odisha – Issues and prospects.
Agriculture
| Major cropping patterns in various parts of the country, different types of irrigation and irrigation systems storage, transport and marketing of agricultural produce and issues and related constraints; e-technology in the aid of farmers in India & Odisha. Issues related to direct and indirect farm subsidies and minimum support prices; Public Distribution System- objectives, functioning, limitations, revamping; issues of buffer stocks and food security; Technology missions; economics of animal-rearing in India & Odisha — Doubling ofFarmers’ Income. Food processing and related industries in India & Odisha – scope and significance, location, upstream and downstream requirements, supply chain management. |
Biodiversity and Environment
| Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment. Disaster and Disaster Management in the Country and in Odisha – State institutions and policies on Disaster Management. Linkages between development and spread of extremism. Left wing extremism in Odisha. |
Security and Disaster Management
| Challenges to internal security though communication networks, role of media and social networking sites in internal security challenges, basics of cyber security; money-laundering and its prevention – Arts & policies relating to Cyber Security and Money laundering. Security challenges and their management in border areas – linkages of organized crime with terrorism. Various Security forces and agencies of the Country and Odisha and their mandate. |
PAPER-V
General Studies-IV: Ethics, Integrity and Aptitude
| This paper will include questions to test the candidates’ attitude and approach to issues relating to integrity, probity in public life and his problem-solving approach to various issues and conflicts faced by him in dealing with society. Questions may utilize the case study approach to determine these aspects. The following broad areas will be covered: Ethics and Human Interface: Essence, Determinants and Consequences of Ethics in Human Actions; Dimension of Ethics; Ethics in Private and Public Relationships. Human Values – Lessons from the Lives and Teachings of Great Leaders, Reformers and Administrators; Role of Family, Society and Educational Institutions in Inculcating Values. Attitude: Content, Structure, Function; its Influence and Relation with Thought and Behaviour; Moral and Political Attitudes; Social Influence and Persuasion. Aptitude and Foundational Values for Civil Service, Integrity, Impartiality and Non-partisanship, Objectivity, Dedication to Public Service, Empathy, Tolerance and Compassion towards the weaker-sections. Emotional Intelligence-Concepts, and their Utilities and Application Administration and Governance in Contributions of Moral Thinkers and Philosophers from India and World. Public/Civil Service Values and Ethics in Public Administration: Status and Problems; Ethical Concerns and Dilemmas in Government and Private Institutions; Laws, Rules, Regulations and Conscience as Sources of Ethical Guidance; Accountability and Ethical Governance; Strengthening of Ethical and Moral Values in Governance; Ethical Issues in International Relations and Funding; Corporate Governance. Probity in Governance: Concept of Public Service; Philosophical Basis of Governance and Probity; Information Sharing and Transparency in Government, Right to Information, Codes of Ethics, Codes of Conduct, Citizen’s Charters, Work Culture, Quality of Service Delivery, Utilization of Public Funds, Challenges of Corruption. Case Studies on above issues. |