OPSC Recruitment 2026: 66 Group-B Vacancies for Fisheries & Horticulture Officers

The Odisha Public Service Commission (OPSC) has officially announced a significant recruitment drive for Group-B positions, offering aspiring candidates an opportunity to join the state's agricultural and aquatic sectors. In July 2026, the OPSC released notifications for two distinct roles: Assistant Fisheries Officers and Assistant Horticulture Officers, collectively presenting a total of 66 vacancies across various categories. This presents a prime chance for eligible individuals to secure a government job with a competitive pay scale.

Overview of the OPSC Recruitment Drive

On 18th July 2026, the OPSC unveiled two separate recruitment advertisements, marking the commencement of this extensive hiring process. The positions are designed to bolster the ranks within the Fisheries & Animal Resources Development Department and the Department of Agriculture & Farmers' Empowerment. These roles are crucial for advancing the state's capabilities in these vital fields.

The total number of vacancies stands at 66, strategically divided between the two posts. The Assistant Fisheries Officer recruitment accounts for 44 openings, while the Assistant Horticulture Officer drive offers 22 positions. This offers a substantial opportunity for qualified candidates looking to build a career in public service.

Detailed Vacancy Breakdown and Eligibility Criteria

Understanding the distribution of vacancies and the specific eligibility requirements is crucial for interested candidates. The OPSC has provided a clear categorization for both posts:

Assistant Fisheries Officer Vacancies

Advertisement No. 05 of 2026-27 outlines a special recruitment drive for Assistant Fisheries Officers, exclusively for Scheduled Caste (SC) and Scheduled Tribe (ST) candidates. Out of the 44 openings, 1 is reserved for SC and a significant 43 are for ST candidates.

Assistant Horticulture Officer Vacancies

For the Assistant Horticulture Officer positions, under Advertisement No. 06 of 2026-27, there are 22 vacancies. These are distributed across Unreserved (UR) categories with 6 openings, SC with 7 openings, and ST with 9 openings.

Eligibility Requirements at a Glance

Candidates must meet specific educational and age criteria to be eligible for these roles.

Posts	Education Qualification	Age Limit (as on 01/01/2026)
Assistant Horticulture Officer	Bachelor’s Degree in Fishery Science (B.F.Sc.) from a recognized University in India or abroad	21 to 47 years
Assistant Fisheries Officer	B.Sc. (Horticulture) or B.Sc. (Agriculture) from a University/Institution recognized by any State Government or the Government of India. No other equivalent qualification will be accepted	21 to 42 years

Key Dates for Application and Examination

Aspiring candidates are urged to take note of the crucial application deadlines and examination dates to ensure they do not miss out on this opportunity. The application process is entirely online, and timely submission is essential.

Events	Assistant Fisheries Officer	Assistant Horticulture Officer
Notification Release Date	18th July 2026	18th July 2026
Apply Online Starts	24th July 2026	28th July 2026
Last Date to Apply	24th August 2026 (5 pm)	28th August 2026 (5 pm)
Hall Tickets	September 2026	September 2026
Written Examination Date	26th September 2026	27th September 2026

How to Apply for OPSC Group-B Posts

The application process for both Assistant Fisheries Officer and Assistant Horticulture Officer positions is strictly online. Candidates are advised to carefully follow the steps outlined below to successfully submit their applications.

1. Visit the official website of the Odisha Public Service Commission (OPSC) at www.opsc.gov.in.
2. Navigate to the 'Recruitment' or 'Apply Online' section.
3. Locate the specific advertisement link for either Assistant Fisheries Officer (Advt. No. 05 of 2026-27) or Assistant Horticulture Officer (Advt. No. 06 of 2026-27).
4. Click on the 'Apply Online' button associated with your chosen post.
5. Register yourself by providing the necessary details to create an account.
6. Fill out the online application form accurately, ensuring all fields are completed correctly.
7. Upload scanned copies of required documents, such as photographs and signatures, in the prescribed format.
8. Review all the details filled in the application form before final submission.
9. Pay the application fee, if applicable, through the available online payment modes.
10. After successful submission, download and save the application confirmation page for future reference.

Selection Process and Examination Details

The selection for both Assistant Fisheries Officer and Assistant Horticulture Officer posts will be based on a two-tier process involving a Written Examination followed by an Interview or Viva Voce. Candidates must perform well in both stages to be considered for final selection.

A crucial difference in the examination pattern lies in the marking scheme. While the Assistant Fisheries Officer exam has no negative marking, candidates appearing for the Assistant Horticulture Officer exam must be cautious, as a penalty of 25% marks will be deducted for every incorrect answer.

Key Examination Dates

• Assistant Fisheries Officer Written Exam: 26th September 2026
• Assistant Horticulture Officer Written Exam: 27th September 2026

Hall tickets for the written examination are anticipated to be released in September 2026. Candidates should regularly check the official OPSC website for updates regarding hall ticket availability and any other examination-related announcements.

Official Resources and Further Information

For comprehensive details and to download the official notifications, candidates can refer to the links provided below. These documents contain all the specific information regarding the recruitment drive.

• Click to Download Official notification PDF for Assistant Horticulture Officer (Advertisement No. 06 of 2026-27)
• Click to Download Official notification PDF for Assistant Fisheries Officer (Advertisement No. 05 of 2026-27)

Vacancy Details Checklist

• UR: 06 (02-W) for Horticulture, — for Fisheries
• SC: 07 (02-W) for Horticulture, 01 for Fisheries
• ST: 09 (03-W) for Horticulture, 43 (13-W) for Fisheries
• Total: 22 (07-W) for Horticulture, 44 (13-W) for Fisheries

What to Do Next?

After submitting your application, it is crucial to stay informed. Regularly check the OPSC official website (www.opsc.gov.in) for updates on the release of hall tickets, which are expected in September 2026. Prepare thoroughly for the written examination as per the syllabus provided in the official notifications. Once hall tickets are out, download and print them, and make necessary travel arrangements if the examination center is in a different location. Successful candidates will be notified about the interview schedule thereafter.

Odisha Assistant Fisheries & Horticulture Officer Recruitment 2026- Overview
Conducting Body	Odisha Public Service Commission (OPSC)
Posts	Assistant Fisheries Officer & Assistant Horticulture Officer (Group-B)
Total Vacancies	66 (44 Fisheries + 22 Horticulture)
Department (Fisheries)	Fisheries & Animal Resources Development Department
Department (Horticulture)	Department of Agriculture & Farmers' Empowerment
Mode of Application	Online
Application Dates (Fisheries)	24 July to 24 August 2026 (5:00 PM)
Application Dates (Horticulture)	28 July to 28 August 2026 (5:00 PM)
Pay Scale	Level-10 of Pay Matrix, ORSP Rules 2017
Selection Process	Written Exam + Interview/Viva Voce
Official website	www.opsc.gov.in

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Is OPSC Assistant Fisheries Officer recruitment open to all candidates?

No, the Assistant Fisheries Officer drive is a special recruitment restricted solely to Scheduled Caste (01 post) and Scheduled Tribe (43 posts) applicants.

How many total vacancies have been notified through the OPSC Assistant Horticulture & Fisheries Officer Notification 2026?

The commission has notified a total of 66 vacancies, comprising 44 positions for Assistant Fisheries Officer and 22 for Assistant Horticulture Officer.

When will the online application process start for these posts?

The application window opens on 24th July 2026 for Assistant Fisheries Officer candidates and 28th July 2026 for those applying for the Assistant Horticulture Officer position.

Is there negative marking in the written examination?

There is no negative marking policy for the Assistant Fisheries Officer exam. However, for the Assistant Horticulture Officer exam, a penalty of 25% marks is applied for every incorrect answer.