Odisha Govt Job 2026: Apply Online for 1,518 Forester, Forest Guard & Excise Constable Posts
Odisha Govt Job 2026: Apply Online for 1,518 Forester, Forest Guard & Excise Constable Posts - The Odisha Sub-Ordinate Staff Selection Commission (OSSSC) has officially released the OSSSC Recruitment 2026 notification for Forester, Forest Guard, and Excise Constable posts under CRE-2025 (II). This recruitment drive offers a total of 1,518 Group ‘C’ government jobs across the Forest, Environment & Climate Change Department and the Excise Department of Odisha.
Eligible candidates can apply online through the official OSSSC website. The application process has already started, and the last date to submit the online application is 15 February 2026. This article provides complete and updated information on vacancies, eligibility criteria, age limit, salary, application fee, selection process, physical standards, and the step-by-step application procedure.
OSSSC Recruitment 2026 – Overview
The OSSSC recruitment aims to fill various frontline field-level posts essential for forest protection and excise enforcement in Odisha. All posts fall under Group ‘C’ category and selection will be done through a written examination followed by physical tests and document verification.
Recruiting Authority: Odisha Sub-Ordinate Staff Selection Commission (OSSSC)Posts: Forester, Forest Guard, Excise ConstableTotal Vacancies: 1,518Advertisement Number: CRE-2025 (II)Job Type: Group C (State Government Job)Application Mode: OnlineApplication Start Date: 07 January 2026Last Date to Apply: 15 February 2026Official Website:www.osssc.gov.in.
Post-wise Vacancy Details
OSSSC has announced vacancies for three different posts under two departments. The detailed breakup is given below.
Overall Vacancy Distribution
Forester (Forest, Environment & Climate Change Department): 47 Posts
Forest Guard (Forest, Environment & Climate Change Department): 896 Posts
Excise Constable (Excise Department): 575 Posts
Total Vacancies: 1,518 Posts
Forester – Circle-wise Vacancy Details
The Forester vacancies are distributed across different territorial circles of Odisha.
Angul: 8 Posts
Baripada: 1 Post
Berhampur: 15 Posts
Koraput: 4 Posts
Rourkela: 7 Posts
Sambalpur: 12 Posts
Total Forester Vacancies: 47
Category-wise and district-wise details for Forest Guard and Excise Constable posts are provided in Annexure-II and Annexure-III of the official notification.
Eligibility Criteria for OSSSC Recruitment 2026
Candidates must carefully check the eligibility conditions before applying. The eligibility is based on educational qualification, age limit, and Odia language proficiency.
Educational Qualification
Forester: Candidates must have passed +2 Science from a recognized board and should possess basic computer knowledge.
Forest Guard: Candidates must have passed HSC / 10th examination from a recognized board.
Excise Constable: Candidates must have passed +2 or equivalent examination from CHSE Odisha or any recognized board.
Age Limit (as on 01 January 2025)
Forester: 18 to 32 years
Forest Guard: 18 to 32 years
Excise Constable: 21 to 32 years
Age Relaxation
SC / ST / SEBC / Women candidates: 5 years
Persons with Disabilities (PwDs): 10 years
Ex-Servicemen: As per Odisha Government rules
Only one type of age relaxation is applicable, except for PwDs belonging to SC/ST/SEBC categories, who are eligible for cumulative relaxation.
Odia Language Requirement
Knowledge of Odia language is mandatory for all posts. Candidates must be able to read, write, and speak Odia and must fulfill at least one of the following conditions:
Passed ME School examination with Odia as a subject, or
Passed Matriculation with Odia as medium of instruction or as a non-language subject, or
Studied Odia as a language subject in Class VII or above, or
Passed an Odia language test conducted by the School & Mass Education Department, Odisha.
Application Fee Details
The application fee is charged as per the Odisha Recruitment Examination Fees & Refund Rules, 2025.
UR / SEBC / Other Categories: ₹500
SC / ST / PwDs: No Fee
The fee must be paid online using Net Banking, Debit Card, Credit Card, or UPI. The ₹500 examination fee will be refunded to candidates who actually appear in the examination. No refund will be provided if the candidate remains absent. In case of failed payment where the confirmation page is not generated, the amount will be auto-refunded within 48 hours.
Salary and Pay Scale
Selected candidates will receive salary as per the 7th Pay Commission pay matrix of the Odisha Government.
Forester: ₹25,500 – ₹81,100 (Level-7, Cell-1)
Forest Guard: ₹19,900 – ₹63,200 (Level-4, Cell-01)
Excise Constable: ₹19,900 – ₹63,200 (Level-4, Cell-01)
In addition to basic pay, candidates will also be entitled to applicable allowances as per government rules.
Selection Process for OSSSC Recruitment 2026
The selection process consists of multiple stages designed to assess academic knowledge, physical fitness, and eligibility.
Stage-I: Written Examination
The written test will be conducted in MCQ format through OMR or CBRE mode. The exam will be of High School standard.
Total Marks: 100
Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes
Subject-wise Distribution:
Mathematics: 20 Questions – 20 Marks
General Studies: 25 Questions – 25 Marks
English: 20 Questions – 20 Marks
Odia: 15 Questions – 15 Marks
Computer: 20 Questions – 20 Marks
There will be negative marking of 0.25 marks for each wrong answer.
Minimum Qualifying Marks:
SC / ST / PwD / Ex-Servicemen / Sportsperson: 30%
Other Categories: 35%
For Excise Constable posts, NCC certificate holders will get bonus marks: 1 mark for NCC ‘B’ certificate and 2 marks for NCC ‘C’ certificate.
Stage-II: Physical Measurement & Physical Efficiency Test
Candidates who qualify the written examination will be called for Physical Measurement and Physical Efficiency Tests.
Physical Efficiency Test for Forester & Forest Guard
Male Candidates: Walk 25 km within 4 hours
Female Candidates: Walk 16 km within 4 hours
Physical Efficiency Test for Excise Constable
Male Candidates: Run 1.6 km in 7 minutes and Long Jump of 3.66 meters
Female Candidates: Run 1.6 km in 9 minutes and Long Jump of 2.75 meters
Failure to qualify in any physical event will result in immediate disqualification.
Final Selection Stages
After qualifying all tests, the recruitment process will include:
Preparation of Provisional Merit List
Document Verification by District Level Boards
Counselling for post and district/circle preference
Release of Final Select List
How to Apply Online for OSSSC Recruitment 2026
Candidates can apply online by following the steps given below:
Visit the official website www.osssc.gov.in
Click on the “Apply Online” link
Complete new registration or re-registration
Log in using registered credentials
Fill in the complete application form carefully
Upload photograph, signature, and required documents
Pay the examination fee, if applicable
Submit the application form before 15 February 2026
Download and save the confirmation page for future reference
Multiple or incomplete applications will be rejected.
Important Instructions for Candidates
Applications will be accepted only through online mode
Admit cards will be released on the OSSSC website only
No hard copy of admit card or result will be sent by post
Candidates must keep their registered mobile number and email ID active till the completion of recruitment
OSSSC’s decision regarding eligibility, selection, and merit list will be final
OSSSC Forester, Forest Guard & Excise Constable Important Links
Extended PDF - Download
Apply Online: OSSSC Portal
Official Notification PDF: Click Hare
Conclusion
OSSSC Recruitment 2026 is a major opportunity for candidates seeking Odisha government jobs in the forest and excise departments. With 1,518 vacancies, a transparent selection process, and attractive pay scales, this recruitment drive is expected to see high competition. Interested candidates should apply well before the last date and start preparing for both the written examination and physical tests.
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