The Odisha Public Service Commission (OPSC) has released Advertisement No. 03 of 2026-27 for the recruitment of 03 Language Officer (Group-B) posts under the Law Department, Government of Odisha. The online application process will remain open from 3rd July 2026 to 3rd August 2026 (5:00 PM). Candidates who possess the prescribed educational qualifications in Odia, English, and Law can apply through the official OPSC online portal. This recruitment offers a Level-9 pay scale of ₹35,400 under the ORSP Rules, 2017, along with other admissible allowances.
In this article, you will find complete details about the OPSC Language Officer Recruitment 2026, including vacancy details, important dates, eligibility criteria, age limit, educational qualifications, application fee, selection process, salary, exam pattern, and the step-by-step online application process. Candidates are advised to read the official notification carefully before submitting their applications.
OPSC Language Officer Recruitment 2026 Quick Overview
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Issuing Authority | Odisha Public Service Commission (OPSC) |
| Notice No. | 3682/PSC, Dated 25.06.2026 (File No. 1E-02-2025/26 [DR-II]) |
| Advertisement No. | 03 of 2026-27 |
| Total Vacancies | 3 (including 1 woman) |
| Post Advertised | Language Officer (Group-B), Law Department |
| Pay Scale | ₹35,400/- (Level-9, Pay Matrix, ORSP Rules 2017) |
| Application Mode | Online only — https://opsc.gov.in |
| Examination Fee | ₹700 (Nil for SC/ST/PwD) |
| Application Window | 03.07.2026 to 03.08.2026 (5:00 PM) |
| Written Examination Date | 22nd November 2026 (Sunday) |
| Examination Centre | Cuttack |
OPSC Language Officer Recruitment 2026 Vacancy Table
| Category | Vacancies |
|---|---|
| Unreserved (UR) | 02 (including 01 woman) |
| Scheduled Tribe (ST) | 01 |
| Total | 03 (including 01 woman) |
Honesty check: This notification does not include SC, SEBC, or EWS vacancies — only UR and ST categories have seats for this particular post. The notification also clearly states that the number of vacancies is subject to change by the Government without notice, depending on the exigencies of public service.
🎓 Eligibility Criteria
Age Limit (as on 1st January 2026)
- Minimum 21 years, maximum 42 years — candidates must be born between 2nd January 1984 and 1st January 2005
- Age relaxation:
- 5 years for Scheduled Tribes, Women, and Ex-Servicemen
- 10 years for Persons with Disabilities (permanent disability of 40% or more — temporary disability certificates are not accepted)
- 15 years cumulative for Persons with Disabilities who also belong to the ST category
- If a candidate falls under more than one relaxation category, only one (the most beneficial) relaxation applies — these benefits are not added together
- Date of birth will be accepted only as per the High School Certificate or equivalent
Educational Qualification
A candidate must have completed one of the following, from a recognized University:
- Graduation with Odia as an Honours subject, OR
- Graduation with English as an Honours subject and Odia as a Pass/compulsory subject, OR
- Post-graduation in Odia along with graduation in Law
Special Experience-Based Eligibility Track (Age Relaxation up to 45 Years)
This is a unique provision worth paying close attention to: candidates who hold the above educational qualification and have either —
- At least 7 years of government service, OR
- At least 3 years of service, provided at least 1 year of that was specifically in translation work in any Group ‘B’ or Group ‘C’ post in any Government department
— are eligible to compete even if they are up to 45 years of age (instead of the standard 42-year cap), as on 1st January 2026.
Other Important Eligibility Conditions
- The candidate must be a citizen of India, of good character, sound health, and free from any organic defect or bodily infirmity that could impair their duties.
- A candidate with more than one living spouse will not be eligible unless specifically exempted by the State Government for good and sufficient reasons.
- If a candidate has ever been debarred (for a certain period or number of chances) by OPSC, any other State Public Service Commission, or UPSC from appearing in an examination/viva-voce, they will not be eligible for this recruitment during that debarment period.
- Only candidates who fulfil all eligibility conditions — qualification, age limit, and other criteria — by the closing date of the online application will be considered eligible.
- A candidate who has changed their name after passing the High School Certificate exam (or equivalent) must furnish proof of the name change — specifically, a copy of its publication in a local leading daily newspaper as well as a copy of the Gazette notification.
- Every candidate selected for appointment will be examined by a Medical Board; failure to satisfy the medical requirement means the candidate will not be appointed.
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notice Issued | 25th June 2026 |
| Online Application Window Opens | 3rd July 2026 |
| Online Application Window Closes | 3rd August 2026, 5:00 PM |
| Written Examination | 22nd November 2026 (Sunday) |
| Detailed Exam Schedule & Centre | To be notified later |
| Document Verification | Date to be notified later |
Not mentioned in the notification: No date is given for the Viva-Voce test — only the Written Examination date is fixed at this stage.
Salary / Pay Scale
| Post | Pay Scale |
|---|---|
| Language Officer (Group-B) | ₹35,400/- (Level-9, Pay Matrix under ORSP Rules 2017) |
Usual dearness and other allowances will be paid as sanctioned by the Government of Odisha from time to time.
Pension note: All persons appointed under the Government of Odisha on or after 1st January 2005 are not eligible for the old pension scheme. Instead, they are covered under the Contributory Pension Scheme (NPS), and submitting an NPS application is mandatory for all recommended candidates at the time of joining.
Examination Fee
- Candidates other than SC, ST, and PwD must pay ₹700 (Rupees Seven Hundred) online while filling the application form.
- The fee is refundable — but only to candidates who actually appear in both papers of the written examination.
- Refunds are processed to the original mode of payment (Credit Card, Debit Card, UPI, Net Banking, Wallet, etc.).
- Candidates must furnish their bank account details (Account Number, IFSC Code, Account Holder Name, Bank Branch) in the application form — this is used only if the refund via the original payment mode fails due to technical issues. Keeping this bank account active and valid is the candidate’s own responsibility.
- Applications submitted without payment of the fee (except SC/ST/PwD candidates) will be treated as incomplete and outrightly rejected.
How to Apply – Step by Step
- Visit the OPSC website: https://opsc.gov.in
- Carefully read through the full advertisement details before starting your application.
- Apply only online through the OPSC portal — applications through any other mode will not be accepted and will be summarily rejected.
- Go through the detailed instructions available on the OPSC portal before filling the form.
- Fill in your information accurately — the form is automated and system-driven, and will guide you based on the data you enter. Once submitted, verify your application copy carefully; if you need to make corrections, you’ll need to cancel and reapply within the last date.
- Upload a scanned passport-size photograph, your full signature, and your Left-Hand Thumb Impression (LTI) — all must be clearly visible, or your application may be rejected without further correspondence.
- Keep at least 4 copies of the same passport-size photograph for future use.
- On successful registration, you’ll be assigned a unique Permanent Public Service Account Number (PPSAN).
- Take a printout of your finally submitted Registration/Re-registration and Online Application form, sign under the declaration, and keep it ready along with copies of all required certificates and documents.
- Submit your application well in advance — don’t wait for the last day to avoid technical rush.
- Download your Admission Certificate from the OPSC website before the written examination date and carry it to the exam centre — no separate communication will be sent for this.
- A “Notice” for document verification will also be uploaded on the OPSC website prior to the date of document verification — keep checking the website.
- If you have any complaint about the conduct of the examination, send it to the Grievance Wing of the Commission by email at opsc@od.gov.in, within 7 days of completion of the examination.
- Be careful while filling the form — if you submit your application with any omission, error, or missing document, the Commission is under no obligation to entertain a later email or letter requesting rectification.
Document Checklist
These need to be uploaded online while applying, and the originals + copies must be carried for verification if called for:
- H.S.C. or equivalent certificate (proof of age) issued by the concerned Board/Council
- Intermediate or +2 Examination certificate
- Bachelor’s Degree certificate in Odia/English, issued by the recognized University/Institution
- Master’s Degree certificate in Odia (if applicable)
- Bachelor’s Degree in Law (LLB) certificate (if applicable)
- Certificate of good character from the institution last attended
- Mark sheets for all the above examinations (H.S.C. to Master’s Degree)
- No Objection Certificate, if applicable (mandatory for Government servants — must be obtained well in advance and furnished during document verification)
- Caste Certificate by birth, in support of S.T. claim, wherever applicable
- Certificate of Experience showing 7 years of service (for Government Servants, if applying via the experience track)
- Certificate of Experience showing 3 years of service, including at least 1 year of translation work in a Group B/C post (if applicable)
- Four recent passport-size photographs, taken within the last 6 months (unsigned & unattested), along with the printout/hard copy of the online application
- Permanent Disability Certificate (indicating percentage, 40% or more) for PwD candidates, issued by a Medical Board
- Release Certificate for Ex-Servicemen, as per Orissa Ex-Servicemen (Recruitment to State Civil Services and Posts) Rules, 1985
- Proof of identity — Aadhaar / EPIC / Driving Licence / Passport / PAN Card
- For Third Gender/Transgender candidates: Identity Card issued by a Competent Authority, plus supporting documents for any name change after acquiring Third Gender/Transgender status
Important notes:
- If you’ve been awarded Grade Marks instead of percentage, you must submit a Conversion Certificate from your University showing the actual equivalent percentage — otherwise your application is liable to be rejected.
- While filling the marks in the online form, mention marks excluding the Extra Optional/4th Optional subject.
- Women candidates claiming ST status must submit caste certificates by birth showing “daughter of…” — certificates by virtue of marriage (“wife of…”) are not acceptable and will be rejected.
- Once mentioned in the online form, your community/caste status cannot be changed under any circumstances.
- All Degree, LLB, Post Graduate, Caste, PwD, and Ex-Servicemen certificates must be issued by the competent authority on or before the date of submission of the registered online application.
- Candidates who clear the written exam must bring the hard copy of the application form, along with original certificates for verification, and mark each copy as “Submitted by me and Certified as genuine and has not been cancelled” with full signature and date.
Selection Process
The selection follows two successive stages with a total of 340 marks:
| Stage | Marks |
|---|---|
| A. Written Examination (Subjective Type) | 300 |
| B. Viva-Voce Test | 40 |
A. Written Examination — Two Papers, 150 Marks Each, 2 Hours Each
Paper-I (150 marks):
- Translation of a passage from English to Odia (100 words)
- Translation of a passage from Odia to English (100 words)
- A short Essay in English (about 150 words)
- A short Essay in Odia (about 150 words)
Paper-II (150 marks):
- Indian Penal Code, 1860
- The Code of Civil Procedure, 1908
- The Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973
- The Indian Evidence Act, 1872
Notes on the written exam:
- Candidates may answer all questions in Paper-II in either Odia or English.
- Paper-I’s standard is equivalent to degree level, while Paper-II’s standard is equivalent to LLB level.
- Both papers are entirely subjective type.
B. Viva-Voce Test (40 Marks)
- Questions will also cover content from the “Prashasan Sabdakosh”, published by Odia Bhasa Pratisthan.
- Only candidates who secure at least 40% aggregate marks in the Written Test will be called for the Viva-Voce. For ST candidates, this cutoff is reduced to 35%.
Final Merit List
After both stages, the Commission will prepare a list of successful candidates equal to the number of vacancies advertised, based on merit. Individual marks, cut-offs, and other details will only be declared on the OPSC website after the final result and select list are published.
📞 Facilitation Counter
If you face any technical issues while registering or filling up the online application, you can reach OPSC’s Technical Support team:
| Purpose | Contact | Timing |
|---|---|---|
| Technical Support (registration/form issues) | 0671-2304707 | 10:30 AM–1:30 PM & 2:00 PM–5:00 PM, on Odisha Government working days |
| General Guidance & FAQ on this Advertisement | 0671-2304141 / 0671-2305611, Extn. 227 | 10:30 AM–1:30 PM & 2:00 PM–5:00 PM, on any working day |
Candidates are also advised to keep visiting https://opsc.gov.in regularly for important notices, and to check leading local daily newspapers for any official publications related to this recruitment.
Key Rules and Disclaimers
- This recruitment follows the Odisha Secretariat Official Language Service (Method of Recruitment & Conditions of Service in Law Department) Rules, 2016.
- Selection is purely on merit, and mere empanelment in the select list does not confer any automatic right to appointment.
- ST reservation and age relaxation benefits apply only to Scheduled Tribes of Odisha by birth — not to ST candidates from other states.
- Exchange of reservation between ST and SC categories will not be considered, even if eligible ST candidates are unavailable.
- In case of unavailability of eligible women candidates in a category, those vacancies will be filled by male candidates of the same category.
- The Odisha Conduct of Examination Act, 1988 applies to this examination.
- Admission to the written exam is provisional; if a candidate is found ineligible at any stage (before or after the exam, document verification, or even after the result), their candidature will be rejected — and the Commission’s decision on eligibility is final.
- This advertisement does not bind the Government to make appointments against the advertised vacancies.
- A candidate found guilty of seeking support through gratification, pressure, or any malpractice will be disqualified, may face criminal prosecution, and may be debarred permanently or for a specified period from any OPSC recruitment.
- Candidates submitting forged or manipulated documents will be debarred from appearing in OPSC examinations for 3 years.
- Any misrepresentation or suppression of information in the online application will lead to cancellation of candidature or a penalty, as decided by the Commission.
- Applications will be rejected on multiple grounds, including: incomplete forms, non-submission of hard copy at verification, unsigned declaration, age/qualification mismatch, missing documents, non-payment of fee, false or wrong information about qualification/age/category, suppression of facts or information about eligibility, failure to furnish original certificates and documents for verification on the date fixed by the Commission, submission through any mode other than the official online portal, and any other ground the Commission deems fit.
Important Links
| Notification PDF | Click Here |
| Official Website | Click Here |
| More Odisha Govt Jobs | Click Here |
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the last date to apply for OPSC Language Officer Recruitment 2026? The online application link will be available from 3rd July 2026 to 3rd August 2026, till 5:00 PM. This is also the closing date for submission of the registered online application.
2. How many total vacancies are there in this recruitment? There are 3 vacancies in total — 2 under Unreserved (including 1 woman) and 1 under Scheduled Tribe.
3. What is the educational qualification required? Graduation with Odia as an Honours subject, OR graduation with English Honours and Odia as a Pass/compulsory subject, OR post-graduation in Odia along with graduation in Law, from a recognized University.
4. Is there an age relaxation for experienced government employees? Yes — candidates with at least 7 years of government service, or at least 3 years of service (including 1 year in translation work in a Group B/C post), can apply up to 45 years of age instead of the standard 42-year limit, provided they meet the educational qualification.
5. What is the examination fee? ₹700 for candidates other than SC, ST, and PwD categories. SC, ST, and PwD candidates are exempt from the fee.
6. When and where will the written examination be held? The written examination is scheduled for 22nd November 2026 (Sunday) at Cuttack. The detailed schedule and exact centre will be notified later.
7. What is the selection process for this post? Selection is based on a Written Examination (300 marks, two subjective papers) followed by a Viva-Voce Test (40 marks) for those who clear the qualifying cutoff in the written exam.
8. Is there an offline application option? No. Applications must be submitted only through the OPSC online portal (https://opsc.gov.in). Any other mode of application will be summarily rejected.