The Odisha Sub-Ordinate Staff Selection Commission (OSSSC) has released a new recruitment notification for 238 Ophthalmic Officer posts in different district establishments under the Health & Family Welfare Department, Government of Odisha.
The recruitment has been announced through Advertisement No. IIE-103/2026-322/OSSSC dated 05 November 2026. Eligible candidates with +2 Science qualification and the prescribed Ophthalmic Assistant or Ophthalmic Surgical Assistant training can apply online through the official OSSSC website.
The recruitment is for District Cadre Group-C posts in 29 district establishments. Selected candidates will receive a pay scale of ₹25,500–₹81,100 under Pay Matrix Level-7, Cell-1, as per the ORSP Rules, 2017.
The online registration and re-registration process starts on 5 November 2026. Fresh candidates can register up to 29 November 2026, while the last date for submission of the online application is 5 December 2026.
Candidates should note that registration and submission of the online application are two separate steps. Completing registration alone does not mean that the application has been submitted.
Read the complete details below, including district-wise vacancies, educational qualification, age limit, examination fee, selection process, written examination pattern and application procedure.
OSSSC Ophthalmic Officer Recruitment 2026 – Overview
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Recruiting Organisation | Odisha Sub-Ordinate Staff Selection Commission (OSSSC) |
| Advertisement Number | IIE-103/2026-322/OSSSC |
| Recruitment Year | 2026 |
| Post Name | Ophthalmic Officer |
| Total Vacancies | 238 |
| Post Category | District Cadre Group-C |
| Department | Health & Family Welfare Department, Government of Odisha |
| Job Location | Odisha |
| Pay Scale | ₹25,500–₹81,100 |
| Pay Matrix | Level-7, Cell-1 |
| Application Mode | Online |
| Registration Start Date | 05 November 2026 |
| Fresh Registration Last Date | 29 November 2026 |
| Online Application Last Date | 05 December 2026 |
| Examination Mode | OMR / Computer-Based Recruitment Examination (CBRE) |
| Written Examination Marks | 100 |
| Examination Duration | 2 Hours |
| Official Website | https://www.osssc.gov.in |
Important Dates – OSSSC Ophthalmic Officer 2026
Candidates should carefully note the difference between the registration deadline and the final application submission deadline.
| Recruitment Activity | Start Date | Last Date |
|---|---|---|
| Fresh Registration (New User) | 05 November 2026 | 29 November 2026 |
| Re-registration (Registered User) | 05 November 2026 | 29 November 2026 |
| Online Application Submission | 05 November 2026 | 05 December 2026 |
| Written Examination | To be notified | To be notified |
Important: Candidates who have already registered with OSSSC for an earlier recruitment and possess a User ID must log in and complete re-registration for this post.
Fresh candidates who have never registered for any previous OSSSC recruitment must complete new registration.
Registration or re-registration does not automatically submit the application. Candidates must log in again, complete the application form and submit it online before the deadline.
The exact date, time and venue of the written examination will be announced separately through the Commission’s website and admission letter.
OSSSC Ophthalmic Officer Vacancy 2026 – 238 Posts
OSSSC has announced a total of 238 Ophthalmic Officer vacancies in 29 district establishments under the Health & Family Welfare Department.
These are District Cadre vacancies. This means that candidates selected for a particular district cadre will ordinarily be posted and transferred within that district.
Candidates must indicate their preferred districts in the online application form in the order of preference.
However, selecting a district does not guarantee appointment in that district. Final district allocation will depend on merit, category-wise vacancy availability and the district preferences submitted by candidates.
District-Wise Vacancy Distribution
The advertisement provides a district-wise and category-wise vacancy statement in Annexure-I.
The district-wise figures visible in the uploaded vacancy annexure include the following:
| District | Total Vacancies |
|---|---|
| Koraput | 5 |
| Mayurbhanj | 7 |
| Nabarangpur | 3 |
| Puri | 4 |
| Rayagada | 3 |
| Sambalpur | 4 |
| Sundargarh | 6 |
These are selected district entries visible in the extracted annexure, not the complete district-wise vacancy list. Refer to Annexure-I of the official notification for all 29 districts and their category-wise distribution.</text>
Category-Wise Vacancy Distribution
The notification provides reservations for the following categories:
- Unreserved (UR)
- Scheduled Caste (SC)
- Scheduled Tribe (ST)
- Socially and Educationally Backward Classes (SEBC)
- Women candidates
- Persons with Disabilities (PwD)
- Ex-Servicemen
- Sports Persons
The detailed reservation and district-wise breakup are provided in Annexure-I. Candidates should check the annexure before selecting their district preferences and claiming category benefits.
Note: Special-category reservations are included within the total advertised vacancies and should not be added again to the 238 posts.
OSSSC Ophthalmic Officer Eligibility Criteria 2026
Candidates must fulfil the prescribed age, educational qualification, professional training, registration and Odia language requirements to be eligible for the recruitment.
1. Educational Qualification
The required educational qualification is:
- The candidate must have passed +2 Science or an equivalent examination.
- The candidate must have completed a two-year certified Ophthalmic Assistant Training Course or a Certified Ophthalmic Surgical Assistant Course (COSA).
- The professional training course must be obtained from a Government or Government-recognised institution of Odisha.
Candidates who possess only a +2 Science qualification without the prescribed professional training will not fulfil the stated educational eligibility requirement.
2. Registration with Ophthalmic Officers’ Council
Candidates must have registered their names with the Ophthalmic Officers’ Council in the State of Odisha.
A valid registration certificate must be possessed on the date of submission of the online application form.
The scanned registration certificate must also be uploaded online.
Candidates should ensure that their professional registration is valid before submitting the application.
3. Odia Language Qualification
Applicants must be able to read, write and speak Odia.
Candidates must satisfy at least one of the following conditions:
- Passed the Middle School Examination with Odia as a language subject.
- Passed Matriculation or an equivalent examination with Odia as the medium of examination in non-language subjects.
- Passed Odia as a language subject in the final examination of Class VII from a school or educational institution recognised by the Government of Odisha or Central Government.
- Passed an Odia language test at Middle English School Standard conducted by the School & Mass Education Department, Government of Odisha.
Candidates must be prepared to produce the relevant Odia language qualification certificate during document verification.
OSSSC Ophthalmic Officer Age Limit 2026
Candidates must have attained the age of 21 years and must not be above 42 years as on the date of advertisement, i.e. 5 November 2026.
| Age Criteria | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Minimum Age | 21 Years |
| Maximum Age | 42 Years |
| Age Calculation Date | 05 November 2026 |
The date of birth recorded in the HSC Certificate issued by the Board of Secondary Education, Odisha, or an equivalent certificate issued by a recognised Board, Council or Indian University will be accepted.
Age Relaxation
The advertisement provides the following upper-age relaxation:
| Category | Age Relaxation |
|---|---|
| SC | 5 Years |
| ST | 5 Years |
| SEBC | 5 Years |
| Women | 5 Years |
| Persons with Disabilities (PwD) | 10 Years |
| Ex-Servicemen | Total period of defence service rendered |
| Contractual Ophthalmic Assistants under OSH&FW Society or Scheme | Upper age limit of 45 Years |
PwD candidates belonging to SC/ST/SEBC categories: Eligible candidates are entitled to a cumulative age relaxation of 10 years on account of disability over and above the normal relaxation available to them under the relevant category.
Contractual Ophthalmic Assistants: Contractual Ophthalmic Assistants working under the OSH&FW Society or Scheme may avail the special upper-age limit of 45 years, provided they fulfil the other eligibility conditions. They must upload their appointment letter(s), self-attested, along with the online application.
Ex-Servicemen: Age relaxation is available to the extent of the total period of service rendered in the Defence Services. Candidates who have more than six months remaining before retirement or discharge as on the last date of application submission are not eligible under the specified provision.
Where a candidate belongs to more than one eligible category, only the most beneficial applicable age relaxation will ordinarily be allowed, subject to the specific cumulative relaxation provision for eligible PwD candidates.
OSSSC Ophthalmic Officer Application Fee 2026
According to the notification and the Odisha Payment of Recruitment Examination Fees and Refund Rules, 2025, candidates other than SC, ST and PwD categories must pay an examination fee of ₹500.
| Category | Examination Fee |
|---|---|
| General / UR | ₹500 |
| SEBC | ₹500 |
| SC | Exempted |
| ST | Exempted |
| PwD | Exempted |
Is the OSSSC Ophthalmic Officer Examination Fee Refundable?
Yes. The notification provides for a refund of the ₹500 examination fee to applicants who actually appear for the written examination.
Important refund conditions:
- Candidates must appear in the examination to become eligible for a refund.
- Candidates who fail to appear for the examination will not receive a refund.
- The refund will be processed within a reasonable period after the examination and verification of attendance records.
- The refund will ordinarily be credited to the bank account or payment method used during the application submission.
- Candidates are advised to use their own bank account for the payment to facilitate the refund process.
The examination fee can be paid through the available online payment gateway using Net Banking, Credit Card, Debit Card or UPI.
If the Confirmation Page is not generated after a payment transaction, the notification states that the transaction will be cancelled and the amount should be refunded within 48 hours. If the refund is not received within that period, candidates should contact their bank. A fresh transaction may be required to complete the application.
OSSSC Ophthalmic Officer Selection Process 2026
The selection process for the Ophthalmic Officer post is based on a written examination followed by document verification and district allocation.
The major stages are:
- Written Examination – 100 Marks.
- Provisional Merit List and Screening.
- Document Verification.
- District Allocation and Provisional Select List.
Stage 1 – Written Examination
OSSSC will conduct a written examination carrying 100 marks.
The examination will consist of objective-type multiple-choice questions. It may be conducted through OMR-based examination or Computer-Based Recruitment Examination (CBRE) mode.
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Examination Type | Written Test |
| Question Format | Multiple Choice Questions |
| Total Marks | 100 |
| Total Questions | 100 |
| Examination Duration | 2 Hours |
| Mode | OMR / CBRE |
| Negative Marking | 0.25 Marks for Each Wrong Answer |
Written Examination Pattern
The notification provides the following examination structure:
| Subject / Section | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Certified Ophthalmic Assistant (COA) / Certified Ophthalmic Surgical Assistant (COSA) – Professional Subjects | 60 | 60 |
| Questions Based on Practical Skills | 25 | 25 |
| Arithmetic (HSC Standard) | 10 | 10 |
| English (HSC Standard) | 5 | 5 |
| Total | 100 | 100 |
The examination will assess professional knowledge and practical skills relevant to the Ophthalmic Assistant / Ophthalmic Surgical Assistant qualification, along with basic arithmetic and English.
The detailed subject syllabus should be checked in the applicable syllabus notice or examination instructions published by OSSSC.
Negative Marking
There will be negative marking in the written examination.
- Each correct answer will carry the marks assigned to that question.
- For every incorrect answer, one-fourth (0.25) of the marks assigned to the question will be deducted.
- If a candidate selects more than one answer for a question, it will be treated as an incorrect answer, even if one of the selected options is correct.
- No marks will be deducted for unanswered questions.
Candidates should therefore avoid random guessing and carefully select their answers.
Minimum Qualifying Marks
The minimum qualifying marks / normalized scores are:
| Category | Minimum Qualifying Marks |
|---|---|
| UR / Other Categories | 35% |
| SC | 30% |
| ST | 30% |
| PwD | 30% |
| Ex-Servicemen | 30% |
| Sports Persons | 30% |
Candidates must secure the prescribed minimum qualifying marks to be considered for further stages of the recruitment process.
Normalisation of Marks
If the examination is conducted in multiple shifts through CBRE mode, OSSSC may use a normalisation formula to convert raw scores into normalized scores.
The Commission will decide and adopt the applicable normalisation formula, which will be made available through its official website.
Answer Key and Objection Facility
After the written examination, OSSSC may publish the provisional answer key.
Candidates will be allowed to raise objections against the published answer key within the prescribed process. After examination of the objections by subject matter experts, a revised answer key may be published.
The revised answer key, if issued, will be treated as final.
There is no provision for re-evaluation or re-checking of the written examination scores.
Stage 2 – Provisional Merit List and Document Verification
After the written examination, OSSSC will prepare a provisional master merit list of candidates who appeared in the examination.
The merit list will be based on marks or normalized scores obtained in the written test.
Candidates securing the prescribed minimum qualifying marks will be screened for document verification.
The advertisement provides that the number of candidates screened for document verification will not be less than 1.25 times the number of advertised vacancies, category-wise and special-category-wise, subject to merit and availability.
The Commission may call additional candidates for document verification if required to ensure that the advertised vacancies are filled.
Document Verification
Shortlisted candidates will be required to appear before the District Level Board or the designated verification authority according to the schedule announced by OSSSC.
Candidates must bring their original certificates and supporting documents.
Important documents include:
- HSC certificate or equivalent document.
- +2 Science certificate and mark sheet.
- Two-year Ophthalmic Assistant Training Course or Certified Ophthalmic Surgical Assistant Course certificate.
- Registration Certificate issued by the Ophthalmic Officers’ Council, Odisha.
- Odia language qualification certificate.
- Caste certificate, wherever applicable.
- Permanent Disability Certificate / UDID Card, wherever applicable.
- Ex-Servicemen discharge certificate, identity card and supporting documents, wherever applicable.
- Appointment letters and experience documents for eligible contractual Ophthalmic Assistants.
Failure to attend document verification as scheduled may result in rejection of candidature.
District Preference and Allocation
The Ophthalmic Officer recruitment is conducted for district cadre posts in 29 district establishments.
Candidates must indicate their preferred districts in the online application form in order of preference.
The notification also provides that candidates may initially exercise preference for up to three districts for the written examination test centre, in order of priority. The Commission reserves the right to allot a test centre different from the candidate’s preferred district.
For final district allocation:
- Allocation will be based on merit and the availability of vacancies.
- The district preferences submitted by candidates will be considered.
- OSSSC may allow candidates to re-exercise their district preferences through a separate notification.
- If physical counselling is conducted, allocation may be made on a merit-cum-choice basis according to available vacancies.
- The Commission’s decision on district allocation will be final.
Selecting a district preference does not create an automatic right to appointment in that district.
OSSSC Ophthalmic Officer Salary 2026
Selected candidates will be appointed to the District Cadre Group-C Ophthalmic Officer post under the Health & Family Welfare Department, Government of Odisha.
| Salary Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Post | Ophthalmic Officer |
| Pay Scale | ₹25,500–₹81,100 |
| Pay Matrix Level | Level-7 |
| Cell | Cell-1 |
| Pay Rules | ORSP Rules, 2017 |
| Additional Benefits | Applicable Government Allowances |
The starting pay is ₹25,500 under Level-7, Cell-1. Employees will also be entitled to applicable allowances and service benefits as per the relevant Government of Odisha rules.
The actual monthly salary will depend on the applicable allowances, deductions and service conditions.
Documents Required for OSSSC Ophthalmic Officer Recruitment
Candidates should keep the following documents ready before applying online:
- Recent passport-size colour photograph.
- Scanned specimen signature.
- HSC certificate or equivalent certificate.
- +2 Science certificate and mark sheet.
- Ophthalmic Assistant Training Course certificate or COSA certificate.
- Valid Ophthalmic Officers’ Council registration certificate, Odisha.
- Odia language qualification certificate, wherever applicable.
- SC / ST / SEBC certificate, wherever applicable.
- Permanent Disability Certificate / UDID Card, wherever applicable.
- Ex-Servicemen Identity Card / Discharge Certificate, wherever applicable.
- Contractual appointment letter and experience documents, wherever applicable.
- Personal email ID and mobile number.
- Bank account and payment details.
Photograph and Signature Specifications
As stated in the notification:
| Document | Format | File Size |
|---|---|---|
| Recent Colour Photograph | JPG / JPEG / PNG | 20 KB–100 KB |
| Full Specimen Signature | JPG / JPEG / PNG | 20 KB–50 KB |
The uploaded photograph and signature must be clearly visible and identifiable. Unclear or improperly scanned documents may result in rejection of the application.
Candidates should keep their personal email ID and mobile number active throughout the recruitment process because important alerts, activation keys and admission letter information may be communicated through the OSSSC portal.
How to Apply Online for OSSSC Ophthalmic Officer Recruitment 2026?
Eligible candidates can apply through the official OSSSC website. The process involves registration or re-registration followed by the submission of the online application.
Step 1 – Visit the OSSSC Official Website
Visit https://www.osssc.gov.in and open the recruitment section.
Step 2 – Select the Ophthalmic Officer Recruitment
Find the advertisement for Ophthalmic Officer Recruitment 2026 and click on the relevant Apply Online option.
Step 3 – Complete New Registration or Re-registration
There are two types of applicants:
Fresh Candidates (New User):
Candidates who have never registered for any previous OSSSC recruitment must complete fresh registration.
Already Registered Candidates:
Candidates who have previously registered with OSSSC and already possess a User ID must log in and complete re-registration for the Ophthalmic Officer post.
Step 4 – Complete the Online Application
After registration or re-registration, log in using the registered credentials and fill in all required details.
Enter the following information carefully:
- Personal details.
- Date of birth.
- Educational qualifications.
- Professional training details.
- Ophthalmic Officers’ Council registration information.
- Category and reservation details.
- Odia language qualification.
- District preferences.
Step 5 – Upload Photograph and Signature
Upload the recent colour photograph and specimen signature in the prescribed format and file-size limits.
Step 6 – Upload Supporting Certificates
Enter educational and professional qualification details correctly and upload the prescribed certificates wherever required by the online system.
Step 7 – Pay the Examination Fee
Candidates other than SC, ST and PwD categories must pay ₹500 through the available online payment gateway.
Step 8 – Submit the Application
Review the complete application carefully and submit it online before 5 December 2026.
Step 9 – Download the Confirmation Page
After successful submission, download and save the confirmation page and application details for future reference.
Important: Simply completing registration or re-registration does not mean that the application has been submitted. Candidates must complete the separate online application process.
Important Instructions for Applicants
- All applications must be submitted online through the OSSSC website.
- Fresh registration and re-registration close on 29 November 2026.
- The last date for online application submission is 5 December 2026.
- Registration and application submission are separate activities.
- Candidates must possess the required professional training qualification.
- A valid registration certificate from the Ophthalmic Officers’ Council in Odisha is mandatory.
- All eligibility conditions must be fulfilled as on the date of advertisement, except the specific registration condition mentioned in the notification.
- Candidates must submit only one application form. Multiple applications may lead to cancellation of candidature.
- Candidates should use their own personal email ID and mobile number.
- Candidates should carefully select district preferences.
- The written examination date, time and venue will be notified separately.
- No printed admission letter will be sent by post. Candidates must download the admission letter from the OSSSC portal.
- Candidates must bring original certificates for document verification.
- Failure to attend document verification may result in rejection of candidature.
- The Commission reserves the right to reschedule or cancel the examination or recruitment process as provided in the advertisement.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. How many vacancies are available in OSSSC Ophthalmic Officer Recruitment 2026?
A total of 238 District Cadre Group-C Ophthalmic Officer vacancies have been announced under the Health & Family Welfare Department, Government of Odisha.
Q2. What is the last date to apply for OSSSC Ophthalmic Officer Recruitment 2026?
The last date for submission of the online application is 5 December 2026.
Q3. What is the last date for fresh registration and re-registration?
Fresh registration and re-registration will remain open until 29 November 2026.
Q4. What is the educational qualification required for the Ophthalmic Officer post?
Candidates must have passed +2 Science or an equivalent examination along with a two-year certified Ophthalmic Assistant Training Course or Certified Ophthalmic Surgical Assistant Course from a Government or Government-recognised institution of Odisha.
Q5. Is professional registration compulsory for OSSSC Ophthalmic Officer Recruitment?
Yes. Candidates must have a valid registration certificate from the Ophthalmic Officers’ Council in Odisha and upload it with their online application.
Q6. What is the age limit for OSSSC Ophthalmic Officer Recruitment 2026?
Candidates must be at least 21 years old and must not exceed 42 years as on 5 November 2026, subject to applicable relaxation.
Q7. What is the salary of an OSSSC Ophthalmic Officer?
The post carries a pay scale of ₹25,500–₹81,100 under Level-7, Cell-1 of the ORSP Rules, 2017.
Q8. What is the examination fee for OSSSC Ophthalmic Officer Recruitment?
The examination fee is ₹500 for candidates other than SC, ST and PwD categories. SC, ST and PwD candidates are exempted.
Q9. Is the OSSSC Ophthalmic Officer examination fee refundable?
Yes. The ₹500 examination fee will be refunded to candidates who actually appear in the written examination, subject to the prescribed refund process.
Q10. What is the selection process for OSSSC Ophthalmic Officer 2026?
The selection process includes a 100-mark written examination, preparation of the provisional merit list, document verification and district allocation.
Q11. What is the examination pattern for OSSSC Ophthalmic Officer?
The written examination consists of 100 objective-type questions carrying 100 marks, with a duration of two hours.
Q12. Is there negative marking in the OSSSC Ophthalmic Officer examination?
Yes. One-fourth (0.25) of the marks assigned to a question will be deducted for every incorrect answer.
Q13. What are the minimum qualifying marks for the written examination?
The minimum qualifying marks are 35% for candidates other than the specified reserved and special categories. SC, ST, PwD, Ex-Servicemen and Sports Persons candidates require 30%.
Q14. When will the OSSSC Ophthalmic Officer written examination be conducted?
The exact date of the written examination has not been announced in the advertisement. OSSSC will notify the examination schedule separately.
Q15. Can a candidate select a preferred district?
Yes. Candidates must indicate their district preferences in the online application form. However, final allocation will depend on merit, vacancies and the applicable allocation procedure.
Q16. Will OSSSC send the admission letter by post?
No. Candidates must download their provisional admission letter or intimation letter from the official OSSSC website using their User ID and Password.
Q17. Can a candidate submit more than one application?
No. Multiple application forms submitted by a candidate may lead to cancellation of candidature and result.
Q18. Where can candidates apply for OSSSC Ophthalmic Officer Recruitment 2026?
Candidates can apply through the official website of the Odisha Sub-Ordinate Staff Selection Commission at https://www.osssc.gov.in.
OSSSC Ophthalmic Officer Recruitment 2026 – Important Links
| Description | Important Links |
|---|---|
| Official Notification | Download Advertisement No. IIE-103/2026-322 |
| Online Registration / Re-registration | Register / Re-register Here |
| Online Application | Submit Online Application |
| OSSSC Official Website | Visit OSSSC Website |
| Latest Odisha & Government Jobs | Latest Recruitment Updates |
| Exam Notifications & Answer Keys | Latest Exam Updates |
| Latest Exam Results | Check Latest Results |
| Latest Admission Updates | Admission Notifications |
| Admit Cards & Hall Tickets | Download Admit Cards |
| Telegram Channel | Join Telegram Channel |