OSSC CGLRE Specialist 2025: Exam Notice and Vacancies
The Odisha Staff Selection Commission (OSSC) has released the detailed advertisement for the Combined Graduate Level Recruitment Examination (CGLRE) for Group-B and Group-C Specialist posts. This recruitment is significant for candidates seeking specialized roles across various departments of the Government of Odisha, as it offers 199 vacancies across 16 different post categories.
Key dates
- Online Registration Start Date: 09.06.2026
- Online Registration End Date: 08.07.2026
- Submission of Online Application Form: 09.06.2026 to 11.07.2026
- Date of Editing of Online Application Form: 09.06.2026 to 14.07.2026
- Exam Date: To be announced
Vacancies and eligibility
There are a total of 199 vacancies. Key positions include Food Safety Officer (84), Senior Economic Investigator (16), Librarian in DIETs/BIETs (30), and Assistant Embankment Inspector (23), among others. The recruitment is open to candidates aged between 21 and 42 years as of 01.01.2025, with standard age relaxation applicable for SEBC, SC, ST, Women, and PwD candidates.
Educational qualifications vary significantly by post. For instance, the Food Safety Officer role requires a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Food Technology, Dairy Technology, Biotechnology, or related sciences. The Senior Economic Investigator post requires a Bachelor’s degree with Honours in Economics, Commerce, Mathematics, or Statistics. Other technical roles like Computer Programmer require a B.Tech/B.E. in Computer Science or MCA. Candidates are advised to check the specific educational requirements in the notification for their desired post.
Exam pattern and marking
The selection process consists of three stages:
Stage I: Preliminary Examination
- Mode: CBRE/OMR
- Total Marks: 150
- Total Questions: 150
- Duration: 2.5 hours (150 minutes)
- Negative Marking: 0.25 per wrong answer
- Syllabus: Arithmetic (10th standard), Data Interpretation, Logical Reasoning, General Mental Ability, Current Events, and Computer/Internet Awareness.
Stage II: Main Written Examination
- Mode: CBRE/OMR
- Total Marks: 200
- Total Questions: 100
- Duration: 2.5 hours (150 minutes)
- Negative Marking: 0.5 per wrong answer
- Content: This stage consists of a Technical paper specific to the post applied for.
Stage III: Certificate Verification Candidates numbering 1.5 times the vacancies will be shortlisted for this stage based on their performance in the Technical paper.
How to prepare
Given the structure of the CGLRE Specialist exam, your preparation should be bifurcated between the general Preliminary syllabus and the specific Technical syllabus.
For the Preliminary stage, focus heavily on Arithmetic and Reasoning. These sections are highly objective and scoring if you practice enough. Since the syllabus for the Preliminary exam is finite, prioritize building speed and accuracy. Use previous years' OSSC papers to understand the question style for Data Interpretation and Mental Ability.
For the Main Written Examination, the focus shifts entirely to the technical domain. Since the syllabus is specific to your post (e.g., Economics for Senior Economic Investigator, or Microbiology for Food Safety Officer), you must align your study material with the detailed syllabus provided in Annexure-D of the notification. Do not attempt to cover generic study guides; instead, refer to standard textbooks relevant to your technical field.
Starting early
With 199 vacancies across diverse technical fields, the competition will be specialized. Because the Main Exam carries significant weight and tests your technical core, it is essential to begin your subject-specific revision immediately. Do not wait for the exam date to be announced to start your technical preparation. Consistent practice of the Preliminary syllabus alongside your technical studies will ensure you are well-prepared for both stages of this recruitment process.