OSSSC Combined Recruitment 2025 (II): Apply for 1518 Forester, Forest Guard & Excise Constable Posts

OSSSC Combined Recruitment 2025 (II): Apply for 1518 Forester, Forest Guard & Excise Constable Posts

The Odisha Sub-ordinate Staff Selection Commission (OSSSC) has released an official notification for the Combined Recruitment Examination-2025 (II). This recruitment drive aims to fill 1518 vacancies for the posts of Forester, Forest Guard, and Excise Constable under the Forest, Environment & Climate Change Department and Excise Department. Eligible candidates can complete their OSSSC Online Registration starting from 7 January 2026 through the official portal.

OSSSC Recruitment 2025-26: Forester, Forest Guard & Excise Constable Overview

Detailed Summary of OSSSC CRE 2025 (II) Notification
OSSSC Forester, Forest Guard and Excise Constable Recruitment 2025 Advertisement No.:- II-121/2025-3220/OSSSC
Recruitment AuthorityOdisha Sub-ordinate Staff Selection Commission (OSSSC)
Post NameForester, Forest Guard & Excise Constable
Total Vacancies1518 Posts
Job LocationOdisha (District/Circle/Division Cadre)
Start Date to Apply7 January 2026
Last Date to Apply7 February 2026
Qualification10th Pass / +2 Science / +2 Pass
Age Limit18-32 Years (Post-wise)
Selection ProcessWritten Test, Physical Test (PSM/PET), Document Verification
SalaryRs. 19,900 to Rs. 81,100 (Level-4/Level-7)
Application Fees General/SEBC: Rs. 500
SC/ST/PwD: Exempted (Nil)
Note: Fee Refundable to attendees
Application ModeOnline via www.osssc.gov.in
Official NotificationDownload PDF
Official Websitewww.osssc.gov.in
👉 Apply Online Now
Link Activate On 07/01/2026

Important Date

  • Notification Released: 30 December 2025
  • Online Registration Start: 07 January 2026
  • Online Registration Last Date: 31 January 2026
  • Submission of Online Application Start: 07 January 2026
  • Last Date to Submit Application: 07 February 2026
  • Exam Date: To be notified soon
  • Admit Card: Before Examination

Age Limit

  • Post (Forester & Forest Guard): 18 to 32 Years
  • Post (Excise Constable): 21 to 32 Years
  • Minimum Age: 18 Years
  • Maximum Age: 32 Years
  • Age Calculation Date: 01 January 2025
  • Age Relaxation:
    • SC/ST/SEBC/Women: 05 Years
    • Persons with Disabilities (PwD): 10 Years
    • Ex-Servicemen: Total period of service rendered in defence
  • Note: Kindly Read Full Official Notification Before Apply.

Application Fees

  • General / SEBC: Rs. 500/-
  • SC / ST / PwD: Nil (Exempted)
  • Payment Mode: Online (Net Banking/Credit/Debit Card/UPI)
  • Fee Refund: Fees paid shall be refunded to candidates who actually appear for the examination.

Qualification

  • Forester: Must have passed +2 Science with knowledge in basic computer skills.
  • Forest Guard: Must have passed High School Certificate Examination (10+).
  • Excise Constable: Must have passed +2 Examination or equivalent.

Full Eligibility

To be eligible for OSSSC CRE 2025 (II), candidates must be Citizens of India with good character. A mandatory requirement is the ability to read, write, and speak Odia. Applicants must have passed the Middle English School Examination with Odia as a language subject or equivalent.

OSSSC Eligibility Criteria and Language Proficiency Requirements
Feature Eligibility Details
Citizenship Must be a Citizen of India
Character Must possess good character and sound health
Marital Status If married, must not have more than one spouse living
Odia Language Must have passed Odia as a subject in Class-VII or Matriculation
Disability Note For Forester/Forest Guard, only Leprosy Cured & Acid Attack Victims are eligible

Physical Test Criteria

The OSSSC Physical Test includes Physical Standard Measurement (PSM) and Physical Efficiency Test (PET). Candidates must meet specific Height, Weight, and Chest requirements. The PET consists of qualifying events like Walking for Foresters/Forest Guards and Running/Long Jump for Excise Constables.

OSSSC Physical Standard Measurement (PSM) Requirements
Post Category Gender Height Chest (Un/Exp) Weight
Forester & Forest Guard UR/SEBC/SC Male 168 cm 81 cm / +5 cm -
ST Male 158 cm 81 cm / +5 cm -
All Categories Female 153 cm - -
Excise Constable UR/SEBC Male 168 cm 79 cm / 84 cm 55 kg
SC/ST Male 163 cm 76 cm / 81 cm 50 kg
UR/SEBC Female 158 cm - 47.5 kg
SC/ST Female 153 cm - 45 kg

Salary Structure

The OSSSC Salary for Group C posts is based on the Odisha Pay Matrix. Selected candidates for Forester will receive pay under Level-7, while Forest Guard and Excise Constable fall under Level-4, including various government allowances.

OSSSC Post-wise Pay Scale and Matrix Level Details
Name of the Post Pay Matrix Level Pay Scale (INR)
Forester Level-7, Cell-1 Rs. 25,500 - 81,100
Forest Guard Level-4, Cell-01 Rs. 19,900 - 63,200
Excise Constable Level-4, Cell-01 Rs. 19,900 - 63,200
  • The Forester post carries the highest Pay Matrix Level-7.
  • Both Forest Guard and Excise Constable are placed in Pay Matrix Level-4.
  • Selected candidates are eligible for Dearness Allowance (DA), House Rent Allowance (HRA), and other benefits as per Odisha Government Rules.

Selection Process

The Selection Process for OSSSC Combined Recruitment 2025 (II) is designed to test both mental and physical fitness. Candidates must clear a Written Examination followed by Physical Standards and Efficiency Tests to secure their position in the merit list.

  • Stage I: Written Test – A 100-mark MCQ-based objective examination (OMR or CBRE mode).
  • Stage II: Physical Test – Comprising Physical Standard Measurement (PSM) and Physical Efficiency Test (PET).
  • Stage III: Document Verification – Original certificates will be verified at the district level.
  • Stage IV: Counselling – Final allotment based on Merit-cum-Choice for post and district.

Exam Pattern

The OSSSC Exam Pattern involves a single-stage Written Test for 100 marks. The standard of the questions will be based on the High School Certificate Examination. There is a penalty of 0.25 negative marking for every wrong answer given by the candidate.

OSSSC Written Examination Subject-wise Distribution
Subject No. of Questions Total Marks Duration
Mathematics 20 20 2.5 Hours (150 Minutes)
General Studies 25 25
English 20 20
Odia 15 15
Computer Knowledge 20 20
Total 100 100
  • The examination will be of MCQ Type in OMR or CBRE mode.
  • Negative Marking: 0.25 marks will be deducted for each wrong answer.
  • Minimum Qualifying Marks: 30% for SC/ST/PwD/Ex-Servicemen and 35% for others.
  • Bilingual Paper: Questions will appear in both English and Odia (except for language subjects).

Post / Category Wise Vacancy

There are total 1518 vacancies released for this recruitment. The vacancies are distributed across various District/Circle/Division Cadres of Odisha. Below is the summary of post-wise vacancy distribution as per the official notification.

OSSSC Category and Post-Wise Vacancy Breakup
Name of the Post UR ST SC SEBC Total Vacancies
Forester 34 5 5 3 47
Forest Guard 527 198 127 44 896
Excise Constable 294 129 101 51 575
Grand Total 855 332 233 98 1518

How To Apply

Candidates must submit their OSSSC Online Application through the official website. The process involves two main steps: Registration/Re-registration and the final submission of the application form before the last date of 7 February 2026.

  • Visit the official website www.osssc.gov.in.
  • Click on "Apply Online" on the home page.
  • New users must click "New User" for fresh registration, while others should use "Registered User" for re-registration.
  • Upload a scanned Passport size Photograph (20kb-100kb) and Full Signature (20kb-50kb) in JPG/PNG format.
  • Fill in the Educational Details and select three preferred Exam Centre Districts.
  • Pay the Application Fee of Rs. 500 (if applicable) through the online payment gateway.
  • Submit the form and Download/Print the Confirmation Page for future reference.

Important Links


FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)

What is the last date to apply for OSSSC Forest Guard 2025-26?

The last date for online registration is 31 January 2026, while the final submission of the online application must be completed by 7 February 2026.

Is the OSSSC application fee refundable?

Yes, as per the new 2025 rules, the examination fee of Rs. 500 will be refunded to candidates who actually appear for the written examination.

What is the age limit for the Excise Constable post?

For the post of Excise Constable, candidates must be between 21 and 32 years of age as of 1 January 2025, with applicable relaxations for reserved categories.

Can candidates from outside Odisha apply?

While Indian citizens can apply, candidates must be able to read, write, and speak Odia and have passed a relevant Odia language test in school.

What are the qualifying marks for the OSSSC written test?

The minimum qualifying marks are 30% for SC, ST, PwD, Ex-Servicemen, and Sportsperson categories, and 35% for all other candidates.

Is there negative marking in the OSSSC CRE 2025 (II) exam?

Yes, there is a negative marking of 0.25 marks for every incorrect answer given in the written examination.