The Odisha Sub-Ordinate Staff Selection Commission (OSSSC) has opened online registration for 1,518 Group ‘C’ vacancies for Forester, Forest Guard and Excise Constable under CRE-2025 (II); eligible candidates can apply at the OSSSC portal between 7 January 2026 and 15 February 2026. This article summarises vacancy details, eligibility criteria, age limits, pay scales, selection stages, physical standards, application fee rules and step-by-step application instructions, and provides official links for application and notification downloads.
Recruitment Overview
The recruitment is conducted by OSSSC for posts across the Forest, Environment & Climate Change Department and the Excise Department under advertisement CRE-2025 (II); applications are accepted only through the official portal.
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| Recruiting Body | Odisha Sub-Ordinate Staff Selection Commission (OSSSC) |
| Posts | Forester, Forest Guard, Excise Constable |
| Total Vacancies | 1,518 |
| Advertisement | CRE-2025 (II) |
| Job Type | Group C |
| Application Mode | Online |
| Apply Start Date | 07 January 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply | 15 February 2026 |
| Official Website | https://osssc.gov.in/ |
Vacancy Details
The notification provides a breakup of vacancies by post, with further division for Forest Guard (division-wise) and Excise Constable (district-wise) available in the annexures of the official notification.
| Post Name | Department | Total Posts |
|---|---|---|
| Forester | Forest, Environment & Climate Change Dept. | 47 |
| Forest Guard | Forest, Environment & Climate Change Dept. | 896 |
| Excise Constable | Excise Department | 575 |
| Total | 1,518 |
Forester: Circle-wise Vacancies
The Forester vacancies are distributed across territorial circles as provided in Annexure-I of the notification.
| Territorial Circle | Vacancies |
|---|---|
| Angul | 8 |
| Baripada | 1 |
| Berhampur | 15 |
| Koraput | 4 |
| Rourkela | 7 |
| Sambalpur | 12 |
| Total | 47 |
Educational Qualification
Minimum educational qualifications differ by post as specified in the notification.
| Post | Qualification |
|---|---|
| Forester | +2 Science from a recognized board with basic computer knowledge |
| Forest Guard | HSC / 10th pass from a recognized board |
| Excise Constable | +2 pass or equivalent from CHSE Odisha or recognized board |
Age Limit and Age Relaxation (as on 01 January 2025)
Age limits are specified per post, with permitted relaxations as per Odisha government rules and the notification.
| Post | Age Limit |
|---|---|
| Forester | 18 – 32 years |
| Forest Guard | 18 – 32 years |
| Excise Constable | 21 – 32 years |
Age relaxation details provided in the notification include:
- SC / ST / SEBC / Women: 5 years
- Persons with Disabilities (PwDs): 10 years
- Ex-Servicemen: As per Odisha Government rules
- Only one relaxation is allowed, except PwDs under SC/ST/SEBC who get cumulative benefit.
Odia Language Requirement
Candidates must be able to read, write and speak Odia and must meet one of the prescribed language conditions.
- Passed Middle (ME) School Exam with Odia, or
- Matric with Odia as medium/non-language subject, or
- Odia as language subject in Class VII or above, or
- Passed Odia test conducted by the School & Mass Education Department.
Application Fee
Application fee rules follow the Odisha Recruitment Examination Fees & Refund Rules, 2025, with payment to be made online.
- UR / SEBC / Others: ₹500
- SC / ST / PwDs: Nil
- Fee payment modes: Net Banking / Debit Card / Credit Card / UPI
- ₹500 fee will be refunded to candidates who actually appear in the exam; no refund if absent
- If payment fails and confirmation page is not generated, the amount will be auto-refunded within 48 hours
Salary and Pay Scale
Pay scales for the posts are provided as per the state pay matrix.
| Post | Pay Scale | Pay Matrix |
|---|---|---|
| Forester | ₹25,500 – ₹81,100 | Level-7, Cell-1 |
| Forest Guard | ₹19,900 – ₹63,200 | Level-4, Cell-01 |
| Excise Constable | ₹19,900 – ₹63,200 | Level-4, Cell-01 |
Selection Process
Selection comprises multiple stages including a written test, physical efficiency tests, document verification and counselling leading to the final select list.
Stage I: Written Test
The written examination is objective in nature and carries 100 marks; negative marking and minimum qualifying marks apply as per the notification.
| Subject | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Mathematics | 20 | 20 |
| General Studies | 25 | 25 |
| English | 20 | 20 |
| Odia | 15 | 15 |
| Computer | 20 | 20 |
| Total | 100 | 100 |
Additional written test details:
- Duration: 1½ Hours
- Standard: High School level
- Negative marking: 0.25 marks for incorrect answers
- Minimum qualifying marks: SC / ST / PwD / Ex-Servicemen / Sportsperson: 30%; Others: 35%
- NCC bonus (Excise Constable only): NCC ‘B’ – 1 mark; NCC ‘C’ – 2 marks
Stage II: Physical Test (PSM & PET)
Candidates must meet the prescribed physical efficiency standards; failure in any event leads to disqualification.
- Forester / Forest Guard: Male — Walk 25 km in 4 hours; Female — Walk 16 km in 4 hours
- Excise Constable: Male — Run 1.6 km in 7 minutes and Long Jump 3.66 m; Female — Run 1.6 km in 9 minutes and Long Jump 2.75 m
Further Stages
After physical tests, candidates are processed through provisional merit lists, document verification and counselling, culminating in the final select list.
- Provisional Merit Lists
- Document Verification (District Level Board)
- Counselling (Post & District/Circle choice)
- Final Select List
How to Apply
Applications are to be submitted online via the OSSSC portal; candidates must complete registration and submit required documents and fee (if applicable) before the deadline.
- Visit the official OSSSC Apply Online portal: https://www.osssc.gov.in/Public/OSSSC/Default.aspx
- Click Apply Online
- New User: Complete Registration; Registered User: Use Re-registration
- Login and fill the complete application form
- Upload photograph, signature and documents
- Pay examination fee (if applicable)
- Submit the form before 15 February 2026
- Download the confirmation page
Important Links
Official links for notification, application and related notices are provided below for candidate reference.
- Extended PDF (Dateline Extension Notice): https://www.osssc.gov.in/Docs/Notice-291-Extn_Dateline_for_CRE-2025-II.pdf
- Apply Online (OSSSC portal): https://www.osssc.gov.in/Public/OSSSC/Default.aspx
- Notification PDF (CRE-2025 II): https://www.osssc.gov.in/Docs/CRE-2025-II-3220.pdf
- OSSSC Official Website: https://osssc.gov.in/
Instructions and Notes
Candidates should follow the instructions in the official notification and ensure application completeness; OSSSC decisions on eligibility and selection are final.
- Applications are online only; no hard copy will be sent.
- Admission letters will be available on the OSSSC website.
- Keep email and mobile active until the recruitment process is complete.
- Incomplete or multiple applications will be rejected.
- OSSSC’s decision on eligibility and selection is final.
