OPSC Recruitment 2026: Apply Online for 502 Veterinary, Fisheries & Horticulture Posts
The Odisha Public Service Commission (OPSC), Cuttack, has officially published recruitment notifications for 502 technical gazetted positions across three vital state development departments: Fisheries & Animal Resources Development Department and Agriculture & Farmers’ Empowerment Department. The recruitment drive fills 436 vacancies of Veterinary Assistant Surgeon / Additional Veterinary Assistant Surgeon (Group-A Junior Branch), 44 vacancies of Assistant Fisheries Officer, and 22 vacancies of Assistant Horticulture Officer. Eligible graduates can submit their online applications on the Commission portal opsc.gov.in.
📌 OPSC Recruitment 2026 Overview
| Organization | Odisha Public Service Commission (OPSC) |
| Recruitment Name | OPSC Technical Services Recruitment 2026 |
| Departments | Fisheries & Animal Resources Development / Agriculture & Farmers’ Empowerment |
| Posts | Veterinary Assistant Surgeon, Assistant Fisheries Officer, Assistant Horticulture Officer |
| Pay Scale | VAS: Level-12 (₹56,100) | AFO: Level-10 (₹44,900) | AHO: Level-10 (₹44,900) |
| Total Vacancies | 502 Posts (436 VAS + 44 AFO + 22 AHO) |
| Application Mode | Online (via OPSC Portal) |
| Job Location | Odisha (Across District Veterinary Hospitals, Fisheries & Farm Units) |
📅 Important Dates
- Official Notification Release: 9 November 2026
- Online Application Start Date: Active Online on opsc.gov.in
- Last Date to Apply Online: 30 November 2026 (5:00 PM)
- Written Examination Dates: To be announced on official website
- Document Verification & Interview Schedule: Early 2027
💰 Application Fee
Payment can be remitted online through the integrated payment gateway:
- Veterinary Assistant Surgeon & Assistant Horticulture Officer: ₹700/- for General and SEBC candidates (Refundable for candidates attending the written test as per state policy).
- Assistant Fisheries Officer (Special Drive for SC/ST): Completely Exempted (NIL).
- SC, ST, and PwD Candidates (Odisha domicile): Completely Exempted (NIL).
🎯 Age Limit (as on 01/01/2026)
Age requirements reflect standard state civil service parameters:
- Minimum Age: 21 Years
- Maximum Age: 38 Years as on 1st January 2026.
- Category Relaxations:
- SC, ST, SEBC, and Women Candidates: 5 Years (Up to 43 years)
- Persons with Disabilities (PwD): 10 Years (Up to 48 years)
- Ex-Servicemen: As per Odisha state service directives.
🎓 Educational Qualification & Odia Language Criteria
- Veterinary Assistant Surgeon (436 Posts): Bachelor’s Degree in Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry (B.V.Sc. & A.H.) from a recognized University or Institute, along with valid registration under the Odisha Veterinary Council.
- Assistant Fisheries Officer (44 Posts): Bachelor of Fisheries Science (B.F.Sc.) from a recognized university.
- Assistant Horticulture Officer (22 Posts): Bachelor of Science Degree in Horticulture (B.Sc. Hort.) or Agriculture (B.Sc. Ag.) from a recognized institution.
- Odia Language Criterion: Candidates must be able to speak, read, and write Odia and have passed Middle School / Matriculation with Odia as a language subject.
📊 Vacancy Details
- Total Vacancies: 502 Posts
- Post-Wise Distribution:
- Veterinary Assistant Surgeon / Additional VAS (Group-A): 436 Posts
- Assistant Fisheries Officer (Group-B): 44 Posts
- Assistant Horticulture Officer (Group-B): 22 Posts
- Women Reservation: 33% horizontal reservation is provided for eligible women candidates across all categories.
🧪 Selection Process
- Stage 1 (Written Examination): Multiple-choice objective test carrying 100 to 200 marks covering the specialized professional subject domain (Veterinary Science / Fisheries Science / Horticulture).
- Stage 2 (Career Evaluation / Viva-Voce): Academic weightage assessment and personal interview (where prescribed under cadre rules).
- Stage 3: Document Verification of original professional degrees, council registrations, and category certificates.
- Stage 4: Medical Examination and Final Empanelment.
📚 Exam & Subject Structure
| Post | Core Subject Paper | Questions | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Veterinary Assistant Surgeon | Veterinary Science & Animal Husbandry | 100 | 100 | 2 Hours |
| Assistant Fisheries Officer | Fisheries Science (Aquaculture, Capture, Tech) | 100 | 100 | 2 Hours |
| Assistant Horticulture Officer | Horticulture, Floriculture, Pomology & Ag Chem | 100 | 100 | 2 Hours |
Negative Marking: 0.25 marks penalty for each incorrect answer.
🖥️ How to Apply
- Visit the official OPSC portal at https://www.opsc.gov.in” target=”_blank” rel=”noopener”>opsc.gov.in.
- Click on “Apply Online” and complete One-Time Registration if applying for the first time.
- Log in using your registered credentials and select the respective advertisement (Veterinary Assistant Surgeon, Fisheries Officer, or Horticulture Officer).
- Fill in personal details, educational qualifications (B.V.Sc. & A.H. / B.F.Sc. / B.Sc. Hort. marks), and council registration numbers.
- Upload clear digital copies of recent photograph, specimen signature, Class 10 DOB certificate, and professional degree certificates.
- Pay the application fee online (if applicable) through the payment gateway before the closing date.
- Submit your completed online application and print the registration confirmation page for future reference.
🔗 Important Links
👉 https://www.opsc.gov.in” target=”_blank” rel=”noopener”>Apply Online on OPSC Portal
👉 https://www.opsc.gov.in” target=”_blank” rel=”noopener”>Download Official Notification PDF
👉 https://www.opsc.gov.in” target=”_blank” rel=”noopener”>Official OPSC Website
📈 Why Apply?
- Prestigious State Technical Cadre: Permanent Group-A and Group-B appointments in Odisha’s agricultural and rural healthcare services.
- Attractive Level-12 & Level-10 Pay: Starting basic salary of ₹56,100 (Level-12) for Veterinary Surgeons and ₹44,900 (Level-10) for Fisheries/Horticulture officers, plus state allowances.
- Direct Community Impact: Lead livestock epidemic control, blue revolution fish production, and high-yield horticulture across Odisha.
❓ FAQs
Q. What is the last date to apply for OPSC 502 Posts Recruitment 2026?
Online applications must be completed on opsc.gov.in by 30th November 2026 (5:00 PM).
Q. Is council registration mandatory for Veterinary Assistant Surgeon?
Yes, candidates must possess a valid, active registration certificate with the Odisha Veterinary Council.
Q. What is the starting salary for Veterinary Assistant Surgeon?
The post carries Pay Matrix Level-12 under ORSP Rules with a starting basic salary of ₹56,100 per month plus allowances.
🏁 Conclusion
The OPSC Recruitment 2026 for 502 positions represents a major career opportunity for veterinary, fisheries, and agricultural graduates in Odisha. Eligible professionals should verify their registration documents and submit their applications on https://www.opsc.gov.in” target=”_blank” rel=”noopener”>opsc.gov.in before the 30th November 2026 cutoff.
