OPSC OAS Syllabus Download PDF for Prelims and Mains
- Rayacademy IAS
- May 28
- 10 min read
Updated: Jul 24
OPSC Odisha Civil Services Exam Syllabus
OPSC Odisha Civil Services Exam Syllabus
Preliminary Examination:
The Examination shall comprise of two compulsory Papers of 200 marks each and each paper shall be of two hours duration.
Both the question papers shall be of the objective type (multiple choice questions).
The General Studies paper-II of the Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination will be a qualifying paper with minimum qualifying marks fixed at 33%.
The question papers other than language and Literature shall be set in English. Candidates must answer the papers in their own handwriting and the facility of Scribe or Reader as the case may be, may be allowed by the Commission to the candidates with disability having physical requirement and functional classification as may be prescribed by the Government from time to time. Besides, compensatory time of twenty minutes per hour wherever applicable shall be permitted to such candidates by the Commission.
Detailed Syllabus for the Preliminary Examination
Paper-I
Current events of national and international importance.
History of India and Indian National Movement.
History of Odisha and Odia Nationalism.
Odisha and Indian Geography-Physical, Social, Economic Geography of India and the World.
Indian Polity and. Governance-Constitution, Political System, Panchayati Raj,
Public Policy, Rights Issues, etc.
Economic and Social Development-Sustainable Development, Poverty, Inclusion, Demographics, Social Sector Initiatives, etc.
General issues on Environmental ecology, Bio-diversity and Climate Change -that do not require subject specialization.
General Science.
Paper-II
Comprehension;
Interpersonal skills including communication skills;
Logical reasoning and analytical ability;
Decision making and problem solving;
General mental ability;
Basic numeracy (numbers and their relations, orders of magnitude, etc.) (Class X level), Data interpretation (charts, graphs, tables, data sufficiency etc. Class X level)
Note- It is mandatory for the candidate to appear in both the Papers of Preliminary Examination for the purpose of evaluation. Therefore a candidate shall be disqualified in case he or she does not appear in both the papers of Preliminary Examination.
Main Examination:
The written examination shall comprise of two parts, i.e., Part-I and Part-II consisting of the following papers:
Part-I QUALIFYING PAPERS : | Marks |
Paper-I : Odia Language The pattern of questions shall be broadly as follows: Comprehension of given passages.Precis writing.Usage and vocabulary.Short Essays.Translation from English to the Odia Language and vice-versa. | 250 |
Paper-II : English Language The pattern of questions shall be broadly as follows: Comprehension of given passages.Précis writing. Usage and vocabulary.Short Essays. | 250 |
Part-II: PAPERS TO BE COUNTED FOR MERIT | Marks |
Paper-I : Essay | 250 |
Paper-II : General Studies-I (Indian Heritage and Culture, Odisha Heritage and Culture, History and Geography of the World and Society) | 250 |
Paper-III : General Studies- I (Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice and Inter-State Relations) | 250 |
Paper-IV: General Studies- III (Technology, Economic Development, Bio-diversity, Environment, Security and Disaster Management) | 250 |
Paper-V: General Studies-IV (Ethics, Integrity and Aptitude) | 250 |
Paper-VI : Optional Subject – Paper-I | 250 |
Paper-VII : Optional Subject – Paper-II | 250 |
SUB-TOTAL (WRITTEN TEST) | 1750 Marks |
Personality Test | 250 Marks |
GRAND TOTAL | 2000 Marks |
List of Optional Subjects
Candidates may choose any one of the subjects from amongst the list of subjects given below for optional Paper-VI and Paper-VII of the written test:
Optional Subjects | |||
Agriculture | Education | Geology | Political Science and International Relations |
Agriculture Engineering | Electrical Engineering | History | Psychology |
Animal Husbandry & Vet. Sci | Fishery Science | Home Science | Public Administration |
Anthropology | Forestry | Law | Sociology |
Botany | Geography | Management | Statistics |
Chemistry | Commerce and Accountancy | Mechanical Engineering | Zoology |
Civil Engineering | Economics | Medical Science | Literature (English, Hindi, Odia, Persian, Sanskrit, Urdu) |
The Odisha Civil Services Main Written Examination includes the following papers and syllabi:
Paper-I: Essay
Candidates may be required to write essays on multiple topics.
They are expected to keep closely to the subject of the essay, arrange their ideas in an orderly fashion, and write concisely.
Credit will be given for effective and exact expression.
Paper-II: General Studies-I: Indian Heritage and Culture, Odisha Heritage & Culture, History and Geography of the World & Society
Heritage and Culture:
Indian culture covering the salient aspects of Art forms, Literature, and Architecture from Ancient to Modern times.
Temple Architecture of Odisha.
Socio-cultural development in Odisha.
Bhakti Movement in Odisha and its impact on the Society of Odisha.
Evolution and Growth of Odia Language and Literature and development of Odia Literature.
Regional Tradition of Odisha - Festivals.
History:
Modern Indian history from about the middle of the eighteenth century until the present – significant events, personalities, issues.
The Freedom Struggle – its various stages and important contributors/contributions from different parts of the country.
Post-independence consolidation and reorganization within the country.
Kalinga War and its significance.
Dynastic History of Odisha: Mahameghavahan Kharavela, The Bhauma Karas and The Somavamsis, The Gangas and Gajapatis.
Early Resistance Movements in Odisha: Paik Rebellion, Vir Surendra Sai and the Revolt of 1857.
Creation of Odisha Province.
Freedom Movement and Praja Mandal Movements in Odisha; Social bases of Odia Nationalism; Integration of Princely States in Odisha; Social reform movements in Odisha.
Geography of India with special reference to Odisha:
Physical, economic and social geography of India.
Important Geophysical phenomena such as earthquakes, Tsunamis, Volcanic activity, cyclone, geographical features and their location-changes in critical geographical features (including water-bodies and ice-caps) and in flora and fauna and the effects of such changes.
Odisha's natural resources: water, forests & minerals.
Odisha's Physiography and Riverine system.
Salient features of Indian society, Diversity of India and Odisha.
Role of women and women's organization, population and associated issues, poverty and developmental issues, urbanization, their problems and remedies.
Effects of globalization on Indian society as a whole and Odisha.
Distribution and growth of tribes and tribal population in Odisha.
Urbanization - Growth of urban population and urban centres in Odisha.
Social empowerment, communalism, regionalism & secularism.
Paper-III: General Studies-II: Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice and Inter-State Relations
Governance, Constitution, Polity and Inter-state relations:
Indian Constitution: historical underpinnings, evolution, features, amendments, significant provisions and basic structure.
Functions and responsibilities of the Union and the States, issues and challenges pertaining to the federal structure, devolution of powers and finances up to local levels and challenges therein.
Separation of powers between various organs, dispute redressal mechanisms and institutions.
Comparison of the Indian constitutional scheme with that of other countries.
Parliament and State legislatures: structure, functioning, conduct of business, powers & privileges and issues arising out of these.
Structure, organization and functioning of the Executive and the Judiciary; Ministries and Departments of the Government, pressure groups and formal/informal associations and their role in the Polity.
Salient features of the Representation of People's Act, Odisha Right to Public Services Act and Odisha Lokayukta Act.
Appointment to various Constitutional posts, powers, functions, and responsibilities of various Constitutional bodies.
Statutory, regulatory, and various quasi-judicial bodies.
Important aspects of governance, transparency and accountability, e-governance (applications, models, successes, limitations, and potential); citizens' charters, transparency & accountability, and institutional and other measures.
Role of Central and State Civil services in a democracy.
Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) in Odisha.
Odisha and its neighborhood - relations.
Social Justice:
Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation - India and Odisha.
Development processes and the development industry: the role of MSMEs & women SHGs.
Welfare schemes for vulnerable sections of the population by the State and the performance of these schemes; mechanisms, laws, institutions, and Bodies constituted for the protection and betterment of these vulnerable sections - India and Odisha.
Issues relating to development and management of social sector/Services relating to Health, Education, Human Resources - India and Odisha.
Issues relating to poverty and hunger - Sustainable Development Goals.
Paper-IV: General Studies-III: Technology, Economic Development, Bio-diversity, Environment, Security and Disaster Management
Science & Technology:
Science and Technology: developments and their applications and effects in everyday life.
Achievements of Indians in science & technology; Indigenization of technology and developing new technology.
Awareness in the fields of IT, Space, Computers, Robotics, Nanotechnology, Bio-technology and issues relating to intellectual property rights.
Economic Development:
Indian Economy and issues relating to planning, mobilization of resources, growth, development and employment.
Inclusive growth and issues arising from it.
Government Budgeting - India and Odisha.
Land reforms in India & Odisha.
Effects of liberalization on the economy, changes in industrial policy and their effects on industrial growth.
Infrastructure: Energy, Posts, Roads, Airports, Railways in the Country and Odisha.
Industrialization in Odisha: Issues and prospects.
Agriculture:
Major cropping patterns in various parts of the country, different types of irrigation and irrigation systems storage, transport and marketing of agricultural produce and issues and related constraints; e-technology in the aid of farmers in India & Odisha.
Issues related to direct and indirect farm subsidies and minimum support prices; Public Distribution System - objectives, functioning, limitations, revamping; issues of buffer stocks and food security; Technology missions; economics of animal-rearing in India & Odisha - Doubling of Farmers' Income.
Food processing and related industries in India & Odisha: scope and significance, location, upstream and downstream requirements, supply chain management.
Biodiversity and Environment:
Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment.
Disaster and Disaster Management in the Country and in Odisha State institutions and policies on Disaster Management.
Linkages between development and spread of extremism. Left-wing extremism in Odisha.
Security and Disaster Management:
Challenges to internal security through communication networks, role of media and social networking sites in internal security challenges, basics of cyber security; money-laundering and its prevention Arts & policies relating to Cyber Security and Money laundering.
Security challenges and their management in border areas, linkages of organized crime with terrorism.
Various Security forces and agencies of the Country and Odisha and their mandate.
Paper-V: General Studies-IV: Ethics, Integrity and Aptitude
This paper will include questions to test the candidates' attitude and approach to issues relating to integrity, probity in public life and their problem-solving approach to various issues and conflicts faced by them in dealing with society.
Questions may utilize the case study approach to determine these aspects.
The following broad areas will be covered:
Ethics and Human Interface: Essence, Determinants, and Consequences of Ethics in Human Actions; Dimension of Ethics; Ethics in Private and Public Relationships.
Human Values: Lessons from the Lives and Teachings of Great Leaders, Reformers, and Administrators; Role of Family, Society, and Educational Institutions in Inculcating Values.
Attitude: Content, Structure, Function; its Influence and Relation with Thought and Behaviour; Moral and Political Attitudes; Social Influence and Persuasion.
Aptitude and Foundational Values for Civil Service: Integrity, Impartiality and Non-partisanship, Objectivity, Dedication to Public Service, Empathy, Tolerance and Compassion towards the weaker-sections.
Emotional Intelligence: Concepts, and their Utilities and Application in Administration and Governance.
Contributions of Moral Thinkers and Philosophers from India and World.
Public/Civil Service Values and Ethics in Public Administration: Status and Problems; Ethical Concerns and Dilemmas in Government and Private Institutions; Laws, Rules, Regulations and Conscience as Sources of Ethical Guidance; Accountability and Ethical Governance; Strengthening of Ethical and Moral Values in Governance; Ethical Issues in International Relations and Funding; Corporate Governance.
Probity in Governance: Concept of Public Service; Philosophical Basis of Governance and Probity; Information Sharing and Transparency in Government, Right to Information, Codes of Ethics, Codes of Conduct, Citizen's Charters, Work Culture, Quality of Service Delivery, Utilization of Public Funds, Challenges of Corruption.
Case Studies on above issues.
NOTE:
The papers on Odia Language and English (Part-I of Main examination) shall be of Matriculation or equivalent standard and shall be of qualifying nature. The marks obtained in these papers will not be counted for ranking.
The aim of the papers on Odia Language and English (Part-I of Main examination) is to test the candidates’ ability to read and understand discursive prose, and to express his ideas clearly and correctly, in Odia and English Language.
Evaluation of the papers, namely, ‘Essay’, ‘General Studies’ and Optional Subject of all the candidates shall be done simultaneously along with evaluation of their qualifying papers on ‘Odia’ and ‘English’ language in Part-I, but the papers on Essay, General Studies and Optional Subject of only such candidates shall be taken cognizance who obtain 25% marks in `Odia’ and English language each in part-I as minimum qualifying standards in these qualifying papers.
Marks obtained by the candidates for the Paper I-VII in Part-II only shall be counted for merit ranking. However, the Commission may have the discretion to fix qualifying marks in any or all of these papers.
The question papers for the examination shall be of conventional (essay) type.
Each paper shall be of three hours duration.
The question papers (other than Indian language and Literature) shall be set in English.
General instructions (Preliminary as well as Main examination):
Candidates must answer the papers in their own handwriting and the facility of Scribe or Reader as the case may be, may be allowed by the Commission to the candidates with disability having physical requirement and functional classification as may be prescribed by the Government from time to time. Besides, compensatory time of twenty minutes per hour wherever applicable shall be permitted to such candidates by the Commission.
The Commission shall be competent to fix the qualifying marks in any or all the subjects of the examination.
If a candidate’s handwriting is not easily legible, a deduction will be made on this account from the total marks otherwise accruing to him.
Marks will not be allotted for mere superficial knowledge.
Credit will be given for orderly, effective and exact expression combined with due economy of words in all subjects of the examination.
In the question papers, wherever necessary questions involving the Metric system of weights and measures only will be set.
Candidates shall use only International form of Indian numerals i.e. 1,2,3,4,5,6, etc. while answering question papers.
Candidates will be allowed the use of scientific (non-programmable type) calculators at the conventional (Essay) type examination of OPSC. Programmable type calculators will, however, not be allowed and the use of such calculators shall tantamount to resorting to unfair means by the candidates. Loaning or interchanging of calculators in the Examination Hall is not permitted.
Candidates are not permitted to use calculators for answering objective type papers (Test Booklets). They should not, therefore, bring the same inside the Examination Hall.
Personality Test/ Interview
The candidate shall be interviewed by a Board to be constituted by the OPSC who will have before them a record of his career. He shall be asked questions on matters of general interest. The object of the interview is to assess the personal suitability of the candidate for a career in public service. The test is intended to judge the mental calibre of a candidate, his intellectual qualities as well as social traits and his interest in current affairs. Further some of the qualities like mental alertness, critical powers of assimilation, clear and logical exposition, balance of judgment, variety and depth of interest, ability for social cohesion and leadership, intellectual and moral integrity are to be judged by the said Board.
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