Bhubaneswar: In a major relief to civil services aspirants, the Odisha government has abolished restrictions on the number of attempts candidates can make in the Odisha Civil Services (OCS) Examination. The State Cabinet has approved amendments to the Odisha Civil Services (Combined Competitive Recruitment Examination) Rules, 1991, allowing eligible candidates to appear for the examination until they reach the prescribed upper age limit.

Chief Secretary Anu Garg informed reporters about the decision after the Cabinet meeting. The amendment removes the existing category-wise restrictions on the number of attempts, giving aspirants greater opportunities to compete for various positions in the state administration.

Under the earlier rules, candidates belonging to the general category were allowed a maximum of six attempts, while those from the Socially and Educationally Backward Classes (SEBC) were permitted nine attempts. Candidates from the Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST) categories already enjoyed unlimited attempts.

The Odisha Cabinet, chaired by Hon’ble Chief Minister Shri Mohan Charan Majhi, approved a series of significant proposals aimed at strengthening governance, expanding opportunities, improving public services and accelerating the State’s development.

✅ Odisha Shikshanet – Free Wi-Fi for Colleges:
A ₹393.62 crore scheme providing free Wi-Fi and up to 1 GB of daily data to students across 601 Government and aided colleges.

✅ Recruitment of Assistant Town Planners:
Amendments to facilitate direct recruitment of 19 Assistant Town Planners through OPSC, with revised age and educational criteria.

✅ Training and Law Clerkship for Judicial Officers:
One year of institutional training followed by one year of structured Law Clerkship for Trainee Judicial Officers.

✅ Restructuring of the Panchayat Executive Officers Cadre:
A restructured cadre of 3,294 posts, creating enhanced career progression opportunities and strengthening grassroots administration.

✅ No Limit on Attempts in OCS Examination:
Removal of the attempt limit for eligible candidates appearing in the Odisha Civil Services Examination.

✅ 600 MW Upper Indravati Pumped Storage Project:
A ₹4,708.64 crore project at Ranibahal, Kalahandi, to strengthen energy storage and grid stability.

✅ Odisha Bovine Breeding (Regulation) Bill, 2026:
A regulatory framework for scientific breeding, quality assurance and traceability of breeding services, with a focus on improved livestock productivity.

✅ Seven Mega Lift Irrigation Schemes in Nuapada:
Seven schemes with an execution cost of ₹268.22 crore, creating irrigation potential across 8,800 hectares in 59 villages.

✅ In-stream Storage Project in Balangir:
A ₹99.99 crore project near Patharla village to ensure water supply to 12 villages and support livelihoods.

✅ Extension of Institutional Dealer Replacement Period under PDS:
Extension of the deadline for replacing institutional dealers with private dealers to 30 September 2027.

✅ Food and Paddy Procurement Policy for KMS 2026–27:
A procurement target of 53 LMT of rice, equivalent to approximately 78 LMT of paddy, with farmers receiving ₹3,100 per quintal, including MSP and input assistance.

✅ Kursud In-stream Storage Project:
An ₹81.36 crore project on the Indra river in Balangir district, benefiting 17 drought-prone villages across Titilagarh and Bangomunda blocks.

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With the latest amendment, the attempt restrictions will no longer apply to any category. Candidates will be able to take the examination repeatedly, provided they fulfil the prescribed eligibility conditions and remain within the applicable upper age limit.

The removal of the attempt cap is expected to particularly benefit general and SEBC candidates, who could previously exhaust their permitted attempts before reaching the maximum eligible age. The decision will give aspirants more opportunities to improve their performance and prepare for subsequent examinations without the pressure of a fixed attempt limit.

However, the relaxation in the number of attempts does not mean that the age criteria have been removed. The prescribed upper age limit and applicable relaxations for reserved categories will continue to govern eligibility for the examination.

The decision also fulfils an announcement made by Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi during his Independence Day address on August 15, when he had promised to remove restrictions on the number of attempts in the OCS examination.

Conducted by the Odisha Public Service Commission (OPSC), the Odisha Civil Services Examination is the principal recruitment examination for various Group A and Group B posts in the state government. Successful candidates are appointed to important administrative and other state services.

The Cabinet’s approval is expected to make the recruitment process more accessible and provide a wider opportunity to young people aspiring to enter public administration. The formal implementation of the revised provision will follow the necessary government notification.