Graduates in Odisha have a fresh reason to sit up this week. The Odisha Public Service Commission has opened recruitment for 340 Assistant Section Officer posts in the Odisha Secretariat Service, and the application window opens on Monday, 9 November 2026. For thousands of aspirants who have been waiting for a stable Group B government job, this is one of the biggest state-level openings of the year.
The notification, Advertisement No. 15 of 2026-27, was released on 5 November 2026. Applications will be accepted online only, through the Commission’s official website, opsc.gov.in, and the last date to apply is 30 November 2026 at 5 pm. Candidates who miss that deadline will not get another chance in this round, so the three-week window deserves a calendar reminder right away.
What the job offers
Assistant Section Officers work in the Odisha Secretariat, the administrative heart of the state government in Bhubaneswar, under the Home Department. It is a Group B post, and the starting basic pay is Rs 35,400 in Level 9, Cell 1 of the pay matrix under the Odisha Revised Scales of Pay Rules, 2017, along with dearness and other allowances sanctioned by the state government from time to time.
The post carries the kind of security and structure that makes it a long-term career rather than a short posting. ASOs handle file work, noting and drafting, coordination between departments and the day-to-day running of the Secretariat. For graduates who want to build a career inside the state administration, it is one of the most direct entry points.
Of the 340 vacancies, 114 are reserved for women candidates, a detail that makes this round particularly significant for women graduates across the state.
Who can apply
The eligibility rules are straightforward, but every one of them must be met for the application to stay valid:
- Education: A Bachelor’s degree in any discipline from a recognised university.
- Age: Between 21 and 42 years as on 1 January 2026. Age relaxation applies to eligible categories as per government rules.
- Computer knowledge: Candidates must have working knowledge of computers.
- Language: Knowledge of the Odia language is required.
Registration on the OPSC portal creates a Permanent Public Service Account Number, known as PPSAN, which candidates will use through the process. Applicants should keep their degree certificates, identity proof and a scanned photograph ready before the portal opens on 9 November, so the form itself takes minutes rather than a scramble at the last hour.
How selection will work
Selection has two stages. The first is a written examination, tentatively scheduled for Sunday, 17 January 2027. The detailed schedule and examination centres will be notified separately by the Commission. Candidates who clear the written test will then face a computer skill test.
That two-stage structure matters for preparation. The written paper tests subject knowledge and aptitude, while the skill test checks whether a candidate can actually handle the computer-based work the job demands every day. Aspirants who start preparing now, with more than two months before the exam, have a realistic runway.
There is one more thing worth noting. The notification makes it clear that the link for registration and submission will be live only between 9 November and 30 November. Applications sent by post, by hand or through any other channel will not be accepted.
Why this recruitment matters
State secretariat jobs do not come around every year at this scale, and 340 posts in a single advertisement is a sizeable intake. The ASO cadre is also the pipeline from which the Secretariat’s middle management grows, so this year’s entrants could be handling senior responsibilities within a decade.
The timing adds to the opportunity. With the application window opening on 9 November and closing on 30 November, graduates finishing their final semester results and working professionals looking for a switch both have a clear, short window to act. The advice from every seasoned aspirant is the same: do not wait for the last day, when portal traffic is at its worst.
Candidates should read the full notification on opsc.gov.in before applying, and verify the vacancy break-up, reservation rules and exam scheme for themselves. The official notification is the final word on every detail.
FAQs
How many ASO vacancies has OPSC announced?
OPSC has announced 340 Assistant Section Officer (Group B) posts in the Odisha Secretariat Service, including 114 posts for women candidates.
When can I apply for OPSC ASO Recruitment 2026?
Online applications open on 9 November 2026 and close on 30 November 2026 at 5 pm. Applications are accepted only through opsc.gov.in.
What is the age limit for OPSC ASO?
Candidates must be between 21 and 42 years of age as on 1 January 2026, with relaxation for eligible categories as per rules.
What is the salary of an OPSC Assistant Section Officer?
The starting basic pay is Rs 35,400 in Level 9, Cell 1 of the pay matrix, plus dearness and other allowances.
When is the OPSC ASO written exam?
The written examination is tentatively scheduled for Sunday, 17 January 2027. The detailed schedule and centres will be announced later.
The window opens on Monday. For graduates across Odisha, this is the moment to get the documents ready and apply early.
