Exam pattern
| Stage | Paper | Questions | Marks | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prelims | General Studies Paper I | Objective | 200 | 2 hours |
| Prelims | General Studies Paper II (CSAT, qualifying) | Objective | 200 | 2 hours |
| Mains | Odia (qualifying) | Written | 250 | 3 hours |
| Mains | English (qualifying) | Written | 250 | 3 hours |
| Mains | Essay | Written | 250 | 3 hours |
| Mains | General Studies I to IV | Written | 250 each | 3 hours each |
| Mains | Optional subject, Papers 1 and 2 | Written | 250 each | 3 hours each |
| Interview | Personality test | 250 |
Prelims marks only decide who goes on to the Mains. A wrong answer costs one-third of that question's marks, and CSAT needs 33%. The Odia and English papers are only qualifying. The ranking adds the seven counted Mains papers (1,750 marks) and the Interview (250).
Prelims: General Studies Paper I
- Current events of state, national and international importance.
- History of India and the Indian National Movement, with special reference to Odisha.
- Geography of Odisha, India and the world.
- Polity and governance: the Constitution, Panchayati Raj and public policy.
- Economic and social development.
- Environmental ecology, biodiversity and climate change.
- General science.
Prelims: General Studies Paper II (CSAT)
- Comprehension, interpersonal and communication skills.
- Logical reasoning, analytical ability, decision making and problem solving.
- General mental ability, basic numeracy and data interpretation (Class 10 level).
Mains: Essay and General Studies
- Essay: essays on several topics.
- General Studies I: Indian heritage and culture, history and geography of the world and society, with Odisha.
- General Studies II: governance, the Constitution, polity, social justice and international relations.
- General Studies III: technology, economic development, biodiversity, environment, security and disaster management.
- General Studies IV: ethics, integrity and aptitude.
Mains: Optional subject
- One of the commission's optional subjects (agriculture, economics, geography, history, sociology, literatures and others), in two papers.