Last Updated:August 17, 2026, 10:46 IST

Odisha CM Majhi said candidates would now be permitted to appear for the OCS exam until they reach the prescribed maximum age, without any restriction on the number of attempts.

The move is aimed at giving greater opportunities to candidates amid intense competition for a limited number of government posts, CM Majhi said. (Image: Pexels)

Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi has announced a major relaxation for aspirants of the Odisha Civil Services (OCS) examination, raising the upper age limit for government recruitment from 32 to 42 years and removing the existing six-attempt ceiling for the state civil services examination, reported Times of India.

Majhi said candidates would now be permitted to appear for the OCS examination until they reach the prescribed maximum age, without any restriction on the number of attempts.

The move is aimed at giving greater opportunities to candidates amid intense competition for a limited number of government posts. Previously, general-category candidates were permitted six attempts, while candidates from SEBC communities had nine attempts; SC and ST candidates had no attempt restriction.

Under the new OCS provision, eligible candidates can continue appearing for the examination until they reach the applicable upper age limit.

Free Textbooks for Class 9-10

The chief minister also announced that free textbooks, previously provided to students up to Class 8, would now be extended to Classes 9 and 10.

Highlighting the government’s employment plans, Majhi said Odisha expects to generate at least three lakh jobs over the next one to two years and around 20 lakh jobs over the next five years. The state is also expanding skill-development programmes in collaboration with industry and international institutions.

The World Skill Centre, established with Singaporean collaboration, will be expanded with three additional branches. The government is also modernising Industrial Training Institutes, with centres of excellence planned in 25 ITIs and artificial intelligence laboratories in 13 ITIs.

Majhi said 26,000 teachers had been recruited over the past two years, while recruitment of another 45,000 teachers is underway. The government also plans to establish 2,200 Godabarish Mishra Model Primary Schools in the first phase.

The OCS announcement comes as a significant relief for aspirants who previously faced a fixed limit on attempts. The revised framework effectively allows eligible candidates to use repeated attempts throughout their remaining period of age eligibility.

Key Questions Answered

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How will the new OCS rules impact job seekers?

The new Odisha Civil Services (OCS) rules will allow job seekers to appear for the exam until they reach the revised upper age limit of 42 years, as the previous six-attempt limit has been removed. This change aims to provide more opportunities for candidates facing intense competition for government positions.

What other education reforms are planned for Odisha?

Odisha plans to provide free textbooks for students in Classes 9 and 10, and will implement a scheme for free education from kindergarten to postgraduate level in government and government-aided institutions starting from the 2026-27 academic session. The state also intends to develop 800 schools into model educational institutes with modern infrastructure, digital education, smart classrooms, and innovative teaching methods.

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