OSSSC CRE Recruitment 2026: Apply Online for 1518 Forest Guard, Forester Posts

OSSSC CRE Recruitment 2026: Apply Online for 1518 Forest Guard, Forester Posts

The Odisha Sub-Ordinate Staff Selection Commission (OSSSC) has released a massive recruitment notification under the Combined Recruitment Examination (CRE) 2025-II. This drive aims to fill 1518 vacancies for the posts of Forest Guard, Forester, and Excise Constable. Eligible candidates from Odisha can apply online through the official portal. This is a golden opportunity for 10th and 12th pass students looking for a stable Sarkari Naukri in the forest and excise departments.

OSSSC CRE Recruitment 2026 Notification Details

Official Vacancy Summary for OSSSC CRE 2026
OSSSC Forester, Forest Guard & Excise Constable Recruitment 2026 Advertisement No.: IIE-121/2025-3220/OSSSC
Recruitment AuthorityOdisha Sub-Ordinate Staff Selection Commission (OSSSC)
Post NameForester, Forest Guard, and Excise Constable
Total Vacancies1518 Posts
Job LocationOdisha (District/Circle/Division Cadre)
Start Date to Apply07 January 2026
Last Date to Apply22 February 2026
Qualification10th Pass / +2 Science / 12th Pass
Age Limit18 to 38 Years (Post-wise)
Selection ProcessWritten Exam, PET/PMT, Document Verification
SalaryRs. 19,900 to Rs. 81,100 (Scale of Pay)
Application Fees General / SEBC: Rs. 500/-
SC / ST / PwD: Nil (Exempted)
Payment Mode: Online
Application ModeOnline via www.osssc.gov.in
Syllabus & PYQs PDFDownload PDF
Official NotificationDownload PDF / Date Extend
Official WebsiteOSSSC Official Site
👉 Apply Online Now

Important Date

  • Notification Released: 30 December 2025
  • Application Start: 07 January 2026
  • Registration Last Date: 15 February 2026
  • Final Submission Last Date : 22 February 2026
  • Exam Date: To be announced
  • Admit Card: Before Exam

Age Limit

  • Minimum Age: 18 Years (21 for Excise)
  • Maximum Age: 38 Years
  • Age Relaxation:
    • 5 Years for SC/ST/SEBC/Women candidates.
    • 10 Years for PwD candidates.
  • Note: Kindly Read Full Official Notification Before Apply.

Application Fees

  • General / SEBC: Rs. 500/-
  • SC / ST / PwD: Exempted (0/-)

Qualification

  • Forester: Must have passed +2 Science from a recognized board with basic computer knowledge.
  • Forest Guard: Must have passed 10th Class (HSC) or equivalent from a recognized board.
  • Excise Constable: Must have passed 12th Class (+2) in any stream 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

Job Profile & Responsibility

Candidates selected for Forest Guard and Forester roles will work under the Forest, Environment & Climate Change Department. Excise Constables will work under the Excise Department to prevent illegal trade and maintain law and order within their jurisdiction.

Role Responsibilities
Forest Guard Patrolling forest areas, protecting wildlife, and preventing illegal logging.
Excise Constable Conducting raids, checking illegal liquor trade, and assisting in tax collection.

How To Apply

The application process for OSSSC CRE Recruitment is entirely online. Candidates must ensure they have a valid mobile number and email ID before starting the registration process on the portal.

  • Visit the official website: www.osssc.gov.in.
  • Click on "Apply Online" on the homepage.
  • Register as a "New User" if applying for the first time or use "Re-registration".
  • Fill in the personal, educational, and contact details accurately.
  • Upload scanned Photograph and Signature in the prescribed format.
  • Pay the Application Fee of Rs. 500 (if applicable) through online mode.
  • Submit the form and take a Printout of the confirmation page.

Important Links


FAQs

What is the last date to apply for OSSSC CRE 2026?

The last date for online registration is 15 February 2026, and the final submission date is 22 February 2026.

How many vacancies are there in OSSSC Forest Guard 2026?

There are a total of 896 vacancies specifically for the post of Forest Guard.

Is there any application fee for SC/ST candidates?

No, candidates belonging to SC, ST, and PwD categories are fully exempted from paying any application fee.

What is the qualification for OSSSC Forester?

A candidate must have passed +2 Science from a recognized University or Board to apply for the Forester post.

Is Odia language knowledge mandatory?

Yes, candidates must be able to read, write, and speak Odia and must have passed the language test in Middle School or Matriculation.