The Odisha Public Service Commission (OPSC) has invited applications for the OPSC Scientific Officer Recruitment 2026, offering 89 Scientific Officer (Group-B) posts in the State Forensic Science Service under the Home Department of the Government of Odisha. The posts are spread across 10 forensic science divisions, and the written examination is scheduled for 17 January 2027.
According to the published information, Advertisement No. 14 of 2026-27 was issued on 28 October 2026, and online applications will open on 6 November 2026 and close on 26 November 2026 at 5 PM through the official OPSC website. Candidates must hold a Master’s degree in the relevant discipline with at least 55 percent marks, and the posts carry a pay of Rs. 44,900 at Level 10, Cell-1 of the Pay Matrix.
Table of Contents
OPSC Scientific Officer Recruitment 2026 – Overview
| Particulars | Details |
| Conducting Body | Odisha Public Service Commission (OPSC), Cuttack |
| Post Name | Scientific Officer (Group-B), State Forensic Science Service |
| Advertisement No. | 14 of 2026-27 |
| Advertisement Date | 28 October 2026 |
| Total Vacancies | 89 Posts (including 29 posts reserved for women) |
| Divisions | 10 Forensic Science Divisions |
| Pay | Rs. 44,900 at Level 10, Cell-1 of the Pay Matrix |
| Application Mode | Online, through opsc.gov.in |
| Application Start Date | 6 November 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply | 26 November 2026, up to 5 PM |
| Written Examination Date | 17 January 2027 |
| Official Website | opsc.gov.in |
OPSC Scientific Officer Recruitment 2026 – Important Dates
| Event | Date |
| Advertisement Release Date | 28 October 2026 |
| Online Application Start Date | 6 November 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply Online | 26 November 2026, up to 5 PM |
| Written Examination Date | 17 January 2027 |
| Personality Test / Viva Voce Date | To be announced |
OPSC Scientific Officer Vacancy Details 2026
| Division | Vacancies |
| Physics | 7 |
| Ballistics | 6 |
| Chemistry | 10 |
| Toxicology | 13 |
| Biology | 14 |
| Serology | 4 |
| DNA | 12 |
| Forensic Psychology | 6 |
| Cyber Forensic | 11 |
| Document | 6 |
| Total | 89 |
Of the 89 posts, 29 are reserved for women candidates. A candidate may apply for only one division, so applicants should choose the division that matches their Master’s degree specialisation. Candidates tracking other Odisha commission recruitments can also read our coverage of the OPSC AEE recruitment 2026, which covers 758 Assistant Executive Engineer posts.
OPSC Scientific Officer Eligibility Criteria 2026
| Division | Qualification Required |
| Physics | Master’s degree in Physics, Applied Physics, or Electronics with Physics, or Integrated M.Sc. in Physics, or Forensic Science with Forensic Physics or Ballistics |
| Ballistics | Master’s degree in Physics, Applied Physics, Mathematics, or Applied Mathematics, or Integrated M.Sc. in Physics or Mathematics, or Forensic Science |
| Chemistry | Master’s degree in Chemistry, Analytical Chemistry, Applied Chemistry, Bio-chemistry, Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Pharmaceutical Quality Assurance, or Forensic Science |
| Toxicology | Master’s degree in Chemistry, Analytical Chemistry, Applied Chemistry, or Forensic Science with Forensic Chemistry or Toxicology |
| Biology | Master’s degree in Zoology, Microbiology, Life Science, Genetics, Biotechnology, Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, or Forensic Science with Forensic Biology, Serology, or DNA |
| Serology | Master’s degree in Zoology, Microbiology, Life Science, Genetics, Biotechnology, Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, or Forensic Science with Forensic Biology, Serology, or DNA |
| DNA | Master’s degree in Zoology, Biotechnology, Genetics, Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Microbiology, Life Sciences, or Forensic Science with Forensic Biology, Serology, or DNA |
| Forensic Psychology | Master’s degree in Psychology or Forensic Psychology, with Psychology as an Honours or principal subject at Bachelor’s level |
| Cyber Forensic | Master’s degree in Computer Science, Computer Science and Engineering, Information Technology, Cyber Security, Computer Application, Digital Forensic, or Forensic Science with specialisation in Cyber Forensics |
| Document | Master’s degree in Physics or Chemistry, or Forensic Science with Chemistry or Physics as one of the subjects at Bachelor of Science level |
In all divisions, the Master’s degree must carry at least 55 percent marks. Candidates must also be able to speak, read and write Odia, and must have passed the M.E. School or a higher examination with Odia as a language subject, or an equivalent qualification. Only Indian citizens can apply.
OPSC Scientific Officer Age Limit 2026
| Age Criteria | Details |
| Minimum Age | 21 Years |
| Maximum Age | 42 Years |
| Age Calculation Date | 1 January 2026 |
| Age Relaxation | 5 years for SEBC, SC, ST, Women and Ex-Servicemen candidates; 10 years for PwD candidates |
OPSC Scientific Officer Application Fee 2026
| Category | Application Fee |
| General, OBC, SEBC, EWS and other candidates | Rs. 700 |
| SC, ST and PwD candidates | Exempt (no fee) |
The fee is payable online through credit card, debit card, UPI, net banking or wallet, and the last date to pay is 26 November 2026. According to the published information, the fee will be refunded only to candidates who actually appear in both papers of the written examination.
OPSC Scientific Officer Selection Process 2026
| Stage | Details |
| Written Examination – Paper I | General English, General Awareness, General Aptitude and Reasoning – 100 questions, 100 marks, 90 minutes |
| Written Examination – Paper II | Specific division subject – 150 questions, 300 marks, 150 minutes |
| Personality Test / Viva Voce | 50 marks |
Both written papers use objective-type multiple-choice questions, and 25 percent of the marks allotted to a question will be deducted for each wrong answer in both papers. Candidates who qualify in the written examination will be called for the personality test.
OPSC Scientific Officer Salary 2026
All 89 Scientific Officer posts carry a pay of Rs. 44,900 at Level 10, Cell-1 of the Pay Matrix, in the State Forensic Science Service under the Home Department. Allowances will apply as per Odisha government rules.
How to Apply for OPSC Scientific Officer Recruitment 2026
- Read Advertisement No. 14 of 2026-27 on the OPSC website and confirm the division that matches your Master’s degree.
- Visit the official OPSC website at opsc.gov.in and open the online application link for Scientific Officer recruitment.
- Register with a valid email address and mobile number, then fill the application form with details matching your certificates.
- Upload a scanned passport-size photograph, full signature and left-hand thumb impression in the prescribed format.
- Pay the application fee of Rs. 700 online, if applicable, and submit the form on or before 26 November 2026 at 5 PM.
- Keep a printout of the submitted application for the written examination and document verification stages.
Documents to Keep Ready
- H.S.C. or equivalent certificate in support of age declaration
- Intermediate or +2 examination certificate
- Bachelor’s degree certificate and mark lists
- Master’s degree certificate and mark lists
- Caste certificate, if claiming SEBC, SC or ST reservation
- Odia test pass certificate
- Permanent disability certificate, if applicable
OPSC Scientific Officer Recruitment 2026 – Important Links
Candidates interested in other Odisha government openings can also check the Odisha Police Constable recruitment 2026, which covers 7,268 constable posts.
FAQs
How many vacancies are there in OPSC Scientific Officer Recruitment 2026?
OPSC has advertised 89 Scientific Officer (Group-B) posts across 10 forensic science divisions, including 29 posts reserved for women candidates. Biology has the most posts at 14, followed by Toxicology at 13 and DNA at 12.
What is the last date to apply for OPSC Scientific Officer Recruitment 2026?
Online applications open on 6 November 2026 and close on 26 November 2026 at 5 PM through the official OPSC website, opsc.gov.in. A candidate may apply for only one division.
What is the qualification for OPSC Scientific Officer Recruitment 2026?
Candidates must hold a Master’s degree in the relevant discipline with at least 55 percent marks. The exact specialisation depends on the division chosen, for example Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Psychology, Computer Science or Forensic Science. Candidates must also be able to speak, read and write Odia.
What is the age limit for OPSC Scientific Officer Recruitment 2026?
Candidates must be between 21 and 42 years of age as on 1 January 2026. Age relaxation of 5 years applies to SEBC, SC, ST, Women and Ex-Servicemen candidates, and 10 years to PwD candidates.
What is the application fee for OPSC Scientific Officer Recruitment 2026?
The application fee is Rs. 700 for candidates other than SC, ST and PwD categories. SC, ST and PwD candidates are exempt from the fee. The fee is refunded only to candidates who actually appear in both papers of the written examination.
What is the selection process and exam date for OPSC Scientific Officer Recruitment 2026?
Selection is through a written examination followed by a personality test or viva voce. The written examination has Paper I (100 marks, 90 minutes) and Paper II (300 marks, 150 minutes), plus a 50-mark personality test. The written examination is scheduled for 17 January 2027, and 25 percent marks are deducted for each wrong answer.
Disclaimer: This article is based on the information published by the Odisha Public Service Commission in Advertisement No. 14 of 2026-27 and leading job update portals. Candidates should verify all details, including the division-wise eligibility conditions and the application fee rules, in the official advertisement on opsc.gov.in before applying, as OPSC may revise dates or instructions.
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