OPSC Assistant Fisheries Officer Recruitment 2026
The Odisha Public Service Commission (OPSC) has announced a special recruitment drive for the post of Assistant Fisheries Officer (AFO) under the Odisha Fisheries Service Cadre. This recruitment offers a valuable opportunity for candidates holding a Bachelor of Fishery Science (B.F.Sc.) degree who are looking to build a stable and rewarding career in the government sector. With 44 vacancies available, eligible candidates from SC and ST categories can apply online through the official OPSC website.
The Assistant Fisheries Officer plays an important role in supporting fisheries development, promoting sustainable fish production, and implementing government fisheries schemes across Odisha. Apart from job security, selected candidates will receive an attractive Level-10 salary package along with government allowances and career growth opportunities.
The online application process will commence on 24 July 2026 and continue until 24 August 2026. Another notable benefit of this recruitment is that no application fee has been prescribed for applicants. Candidates will be selected through a Written Examination followed by a Viva Voce Test.
Those planning to apply should start gathering their documents and review the eligibility conditions carefully. Since this is a special recruitment drive with limited vacancies, interested candidates are advised to complete the application process well before the deadline to avoid last-minute technical issues.
OPSC Assistant Fisheries Officer Recruitment 2026 Overview
The OPSC AFO Recruitment 2026 aims to fill vacancies in the Fisheries and Animal Resources Development Department of Odisha. Candidates selected through this recruitment will be appointed as Group-B officers under the Odisha Fisheries Service Cadre.
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Organization Name | Odisha Public Service Commission (OPSC) |
| Post Name | Assistant Fisheries Officer (Group-B) |
| Total Vacancies | 44 Posts |
| Educational Qualification | Bachelor of Fishery Science (B.F.Sc.) |
| Salary | Rs. 44,900/- per month |
| Age Limit | 21 to 47 Years |
| Application Mode | Online |
| Last Date to Apply | 24 August 2026 |
| Job Type | Odisha Government Job |
| Advertisement Number | 05 of 2026-27 |
OPSC Assistant Fisheries Officer Notification 2026
The detailed notification for Assistant Fisheries Officer Recruitment 2026 was officially released by OPSC on 18 July 2026. The notification contains complete information regarding eligibility criteria, vacancy distribution, examination pattern, selection process, salary structure, reservation policy, and application guidelines.
Candidates are strongly advised to read the official notification thoroughly before submitting the application form.
Advisory for Applicants
- Read the official notification carefully before applying.
- Keep educational certificates and category documents ready.
- Do not wait until the final day to submit the application form.
OPSC Assistant Fisheries Officer Vacancy 2026
A total of 44 vacancies have been notified under this special recruitment drive.
| Category | Vacancies |
|---|---|
| Scheduled Caste (SC) | 01 |
| Scheduled Tribe (ST) | 43 |
| Total | 44 |
Women Reservation: 13 vacancies are reserved for women candidates.
Eligibility Criteria
Candidates must satisfy the educational and age requirements prescribed by OPSC.
Educational Qualification
Applicants must possess:
- Bachelor of Fishery Science (B.F.Sc.) degree from a recognized university in India or abroad.
Experience Requirement
No prior work experience has been mentioned in the official notification.
Fresh graduates meeting the qualification criteria are eligible to apply.
Application Fee
One of the major advantages of this recruitment is that OPSC has exempted all candidates from paying any examination fee.
Application Fee Details
| Category | Application Fee |
|---|---|
| SC | Nil |
| ST | Nil |
| PwD (Eligible Candidates) | Nil |
All eligible candidates can apply free of cost.
Age Limit for OPSC AFO Recruitment 2026
Applicants must fulfill the age criteria as prescribed in the notification.
| Criteria | Age |
|---|---|
| Minimum Age | 21 Years |
| Maximum Age | 47 Years |
Important Date of Birth Criteria
Candidates should be born:
- Not earlier than 02 January 1979
- Not later than 01 January 2005
Age Relaxation
| Category | Relaxation |
|---|---|
| SC/ST PwD Candidates (40% Disability or More) | Additional 10 Years |
Candidates should verify their eligibility before proceeding with the online application.
Salary Structure
Selected candidates will be appointed under the Odisha Fisheries Service Cadre and receive salary as per Level-10 of the Odisha Revised Scales of Pay Rules, 2017.
OPSC Assistant Fisheries Officer Salary
| Post Name | Pay Scale |
|---|---|
| Assistant Fisheries Officer | Rs. 44,900/- (Level-10) |
Additional Benefits
Selected candidates may also receive:
- Dearness Allowance (DA)
- House Rent Allowance (HRA)
- Medical Benefits
- Travel Allowance
- Other Government Benefits
Important Dates
Candidates should keep track of all important recruitment events.
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification Release Date | 18 July 2026 |
| Online Application Start Date | 24 July 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply Online | 24 August 2026 (5:00 PM) |
| Written Examination Date | 26 September 2026 |
Applicants should complete registration well before the closing date to avoid website congestion.
Selection Process
The recruitment process consists of two stages.
Stage 1: Written Examination
- Objective-type examination
- Two papers
- 200 questions in each paper
- 400 marks per paper
- Total 800 marks
Stage 2: Viva Voce Test
Candidates qualifying in the written examination will be called for the interview round.
- Interview Marks: 100
Merit Preparation
Final merit will be prepared based on:
- Written Examination Marks
- Viva Voce Marks
Exam Pattern
| Subject | Questions | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper-I | 200 | 400 | 2.5 Hours |
| Paper-II | 200 | 400 | 2.5 Hours |
Key Highlights
- No negative marking
- Objective-type questions
- Examination likely at Cuttack and Bhubaneswar
Preparation Tips for OPSC AFO Exam 2026
Candidates aiming to secure a place in the merit list should focus on smart preparation.
Effective Preparation Strategy
- Thoroughly revise B.F.Sc. academic subjects.
- Create a subject-wise study schedule.
- Practice previous years’ fisheries-related questions.
- Take regular mock tests to improve speed and accuracy.
- Revise important concepts weekly.
- Stay updated on fisheries development programs and government initiatives.
Consistent preparation over the next two months can significantly improve performance in the written examination.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Many candidates lose marks due to avoidable errors. Keep these points in mind:
- Submitting incorrect educational details.
- Uploading unclear documents or photographs.
- Waiting until the last day for registration.
- Ignoring eligibility conditions.
- Not reading official instructions carefully.
- Neglecting revision before the examination.
Avoiding these mistakes can save time and prevent application rejection.
How to Apply for OPSC Assistant Fisheries Officer Recruitment 2026?
Follow the steps below to submit the online application successfully:
Step-by-Step Application Process
- Visit the official OPSC website.
- Open the recruitment section on the homepage.
- Click on “Assistant Fisheries Officer Recruitment 2026.”
- Read all instructions carefully.
- Register using valid personal details.
- Fill in educational and category information accurately.
- Upload:
- Passport-size photograph
- Signature
- Left-Hand Thumb Impression (LTI)
- Required certificates
- Verify all entered information.
- Submit the application form.
- Note down the generated PPSAN number.
- Download and print the submitted application form for future reference.
Also Read: OPSC AHO Recruitment 2026 Notification Released for 22 Assistant Horticulture Officer Posts
Important Links
| Description | Link |
|---|---|
| Official Website | https://www.opsc.gov.in |
| Official Notification PDF | Available Download PDF |
| Apply Online | Active from 24 July 2026 |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Who can apply for OPSC Assistant Fisheries Officer Recruitment 2026?
Candidates possessing a Bachelor of Fishery Science (B.F.Sc.) degree from a recognized university can apply. This recruitment is specifically conducted for SC and ST category candidates as part of a special recruitment drive.
2. How many vacancies are available under OPSC AFO Recruitment 2026?
The Odisha Public Service Commission has announced a total of 44 vacancies for the post of Assistant Fisheries Officer. Out of these, 43 vacancies are reserved for ST candidates and 1 vacancy is reserved for SC candidates.
3. Is there any application fee for OPSC Assistant Fisheries Officer Recruitment?
No. OPSC has exempted candidates from paying any application or examination fee. Eligible candidates can submit their applications free of cost through the online portal.
4. What is the salary of an Assistant Fisheries Officer in Odisha?
Selected candidates will receive a starting basic pay of Rs. 44,900 per month under Level-10 of the Odisha Pay Matrix. Additional government allowances and benefits will also be provided.
5. What is the selection process for this recruitment?
The selection process includes a Written Examination consisting of two objective papers totaling 800 marks and a Viva Voce Test carrying 100 marks. Final selection will be based on combined performance in both stages.
6. When will the OPSC Assistant Fisheries Officer Exam be conducted?
According to the official schedule, the written examination is expected to be held on 26 September 2026. Candidates should begin preparation early to maximize their chances of success.
7. What is the last date to apply online?
The online application window will remain open until 24 August 2026 at 5:00 PM. Applications submitted after the deadline will not be accepted.
8. Is there negative marking in the OPSC AFO written examination?
No negative marking has been prescribed for incorrect answers. Candidates can attempt all questions without worrying about mark deductions for wrong responses.
