OSSSC Announces 2026 Nursing Officer Recruitment with 5989 Openings
The Odisha Sub-ordinate Staff Selection Commission (OSSSC) has opened applications for the recruitment of 5989 District Cadre Group-C Nursing Officers across 30 districts in Odisha, under the Health & Family Welfare Department. Interested candidates can apply online starting from June 13, 2026, with the final date for applications set for August 16, 2026, following an extension.
The examination fee is ₹500 for all applicants, except for those belonging to the SC, ST, and Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) categories. Applications must be submitted exclusively through the official website www.osssc.gov.in.
OSSSC Nursing Officer Recruitment 2026 - Key Details
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Post Name | Nursing Officer |
| Organisation | Odisha Sub-ordinate Staff Selection Commission (OSSSC) |
| Advertisement No. | IIE-54/2026-1962/OSSSC dated 12/06/2026 |
| Total Vacancies | 5989 |
| Cadre Type | District Cadre, Group-C |
| Registration Start Date | 13 June 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply | 16 August 2026 |
| Application Mode | Online - www.osssc.gov.in |
| Pay Scale | ₹29,200-92,300 (Pay Matrix Level-8, Cell-01) |
The recruitment process follows the Odisha Nursing Service (Method of Recruitment and Conditions of Service) Rules, 2019, along with subsequent amendments. Selected candidates may also serve as Community Health Officers (CHO) as designated by the appointed authorities.
Important Dates for OSSSC Nursing Officer Recruitment 2026
Candidates should note that the application window is open for one month. It is highly recommended not to wait until the last date, as the online portal will automatically close at midnight on the deadline.
| Event | Start Date | End Date |
|---|---|---|
| Online Registration (New & Re-registration) | 13 June 2026 | 06 July 2026 |
| Submission of Online Application | 13 June 2026 | 13 July 2026 |
| Extended Online Registration (New & Re-registration) | 13 June 2026 | 16 August 2026 |
| Extended Submission of Online Application | 13 June 2026 | 19 August 2026 |
It is crucial to understand that registration and application submission are distinct steps. Merely completing registration does not suffice; candidates must log in post-registration and submit the entire online application by August 5, 2026.
Vacancy Breakdown by District and Category
The 5989 vacancies are allocated across all 30 districts in Odisha. Positions are categorized by district, ensuring that selected candidates will remain within the district they are assigned. Applicants must specify their district preferences in the online application form according to their priority.
| Category | Vacancies |
|---|---|
| Unreserved (UR) | 1880 |
| UR - Women (W) | 941 |
| Scheduled Tribe (ST) | 1057 |
| ST - Women (W) | 531 |
| Scheduled Caste (SC) | 645 |
| SC - Women (W) | 326 |
| SEBC | 406 |
| SEBC - Women (W) | 203 |
| Total | 5989 |
Special category vacancies included are:
| Special Category | Total |
|---|---|
| Ex-Servicemen (EX-SERV) | 180 |
| Sportsperson (SPO/RTS) | 60 |
| Visually Impaired (VI) | 60 |
| Hearing Impaired (HI) | 60 |
| Orthopedically Impaired (OI) | 60 |
| Mentally Disabled (MD) | 60 |
The top five districts with the highest number of vacancies are:
| District | Total Vacancies |
|---|---|
| Koraput | 619 |
| Cuttack | 473 |
| Angul | 486 |
| Balangir | 355 |
| Balasore | 347 |
The number of positions available may be adjusted by the government at any time, and reservations will be applied according to existing Odisha Government regulations.
Eligibility Criteria for OSSSC Nursing Officer Recruitment 2026
Applicants must meet both age and educational qualifications as of June 12, 2026, except for the Nursing Council registration requirement, which must be valid on the application submission date.
Age Limit
Candidates must be at least 21 years old and should not exceed 42 years. Age verification will be based on the HSC Certificate issued by the Board of Secondary Education, Odisha or equivalent certificates from recognized boards or councils.
Age Relaxation
| Category | Relaxation |
|---|---|
| SC / ST / SEBC / Women | 5 years (upper age limit 47 years) |
| Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) | 10 years (upper age limit 52 years) |
| PwDs under SC/ST/SEBC | Cumulative 10 years beyond SC/ST/SEBC relaxation |
| Ex-Servicemen | Equivalent to the total duration of military service completed |
| Contractual Nursing Officer (OSH&FW Society/Scheme and ASHAs) | Upper age limit 45 years |
Only the most beneficial relaxation will be applied for candidates eligible under multiple categories, except for PwDs under SC/ST/SEBC conditions where cumulative relaxation applies. Ex-Servicemen already employed in State Government positions and who have previously utilized the Ex-Servicemen benefit are not eligible for this reservation again.
Educational Qualifications
Candidates must fulfill the following criteria:
- Academic: Completion of the 10+2 level or its equivalent.
- Professional: Possession of a Diploma in General Nursing & Midwifery (GNM) or a Bachelor's degree in Nursing from a recognized institution approved by the Indian Nursing Council.
- Registration: Having a valid Registration or Renewal Certificate from the Nursing Council in the State of Odisha as of the online application submission date. This certificate must be uploaded during the application process.
- Odia Language Proficiency: Candidates must know how to read, write, and speak Odia, proven by any of the following: passing Middle School Examination with Odia as a subject; completing Matriculation or equivalent with Odia medium; passing Odia as a language in Class-VII or higher from recognized institutions; or successfully passing a test in Odia conducted by the School & Mass Education Department.
Additional conditions include being an Indian citizen of good character, and married candidates must not have more than one living spouse. Those claiming the sports category must have a relevant ID card issued by the Sports & Youth Services Department of Odisha. Candidates barred from OSSSC recruitment for any specified period are ineligible during that time.
Application Fee for OSSSC Nursing Officer 2026
The application fee structure is quite straightforward. It is exempt for certain reserved categories.
| Category | Fee |
|---|---|
| All candidates except SC, ST, and PwDs | ₹500 |
| SC / ST / Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) | Nil |
Payment of ₹500 is to be made using various online methods, including Net Banking, Credit/Debit Card, or UPI. If a confirmation page is not generated post-payment, the transaction will be canceled and refunded within 48 hours. Applicants must ensure that their payments are processed correctly and avoid multiple submissions if the confirmation does not appear.
For candidates who appear for the exam, the fee will be refunded after attendance verification. The refund will be processed back to the original payment method. No refunds will be issued for those who do not appear for the exam.
Selection Process for OSSSC Nursing Officer Recruitment
The selection process includes a single written test, followed by document verification, with no interviews involved. The selection stages are as follows:
Stage 1 - Written Test
The written examination accounts for 100 questions worth 100 marks, to be completed within a 2-hour window. The test format will be confirmed later and may use OMR or CBRE methods:
| Section | No. of Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Subjects per syllabus (refer to Annexure-II) | 60 | 60 |
| Practical skills | 25 | 25 |
| Arithmetic (HSC Level) | 10 | 10 |
| English (HSC Level) | 5 | 5 |
| Total | 100 | 100 |
Negative marking is applied, deducting 0.25 marks for each incorrect answer. Questions left unanswered do not incur any penalties.
Minimum qualifying scores are set at 30% for candidates from ST, SC, PwD, Ex-Servicemen, and Sportsperson categories, while all other candidates must achieve a minimum of 35%.
In case of ties in scores, the following criteria will be considered in order: fewer incorrect answers, higher diploma scores, age seniority, higher marks in the +2 examination, and the discretion of the commission.
The CBRE mode will involve multiple test shifts on different dates, applying a normalization formula for score adjustments.
Stage 2 - Provisional Master Merit List
Post the written exam, a Provisional Master Merit List will be compiled based on marks and normalized scores. Candidates who meet the minimum scores will be shortlisted for document verification, with a ratio of at least 1.25 times the vacancies advertised.
Stage 3 - Document Verification (DV)
Shortlisted individuals will be called for document verification at the Collector and District Magistrate offices. The verification of original documents will be overseen by Chief District Medical & Public Health Officers. Non-attendance will result in the rejection of the candidature.
Stage 4 - Provisional Select List
A provisional selection list will be created based on merit from the DV results, aligned with the candidate's district preferences provided during the application process. Physical counseling may occur for district allocation based on merit and actual vacancies.
Written Test Syllabus (Annexure-II)
The syllabus includes subjects such as Anatomy, Physiology, Microbiology, Nursing Foundation, Community Health Nursing, and more, covering essential nursing knowledge.
Application Procedure for OSSSC Nursing Officer Recruitment 2026
The application process consists of two mandatory steps: registration and application submission, which must be completed sequentially.
- Visit the OSSSC official website at www.osssc.gov.in.
- On the home page, select "Apply Online" if you are a new user. If already registered, select "Re-registration" under the Applicant Menu.
- Carefully read the instructions by clicking on the "How do I register/re-register/apply" link.
- Complete the Registration Form, keeping necessary items ready: scanned signature (20 KB to 50 KB) and a passport-sized photo (20 KB to 100 KB) in jpg/jpeg/png format.
- After successful registration, log in to fill the Online Application Form with required details and upload documents as per the guidance.
- Indicate district preferences in order of priority.
- Pay the examination fee of ₹500 (if applicable) via Net Banking/Credit/Debit Card/UPI. After payment, print the Confirmation Page.
- Submit the application online. Incomplete applications will be rejected.
- Safeguard your User ID, Password, and registration number for future reference, including admission letter downloads.
Salary and Pay Scale for OSSSC Nursing Officer
The Nursing Officer position includes a well-defined pay scale under the Odisha Revised Scale of Pay (ORSP) Rules, 2017. This permanent Group-C position offers:
| Post | Pay Scale | Pay Matrix Level | Starting Basic Pay |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nursing Officer | ₹29,200-92,300 | Level-8, Cell-01 | ₹29,200 |
The starting basic pay for the Nursing Officer is ₹29,200 monthly at the specified pay matrix, with applicable allowances as per government regulations.
Documents Required for Document Verification
Those who qualify the Written Test must present original documents during verification, including:
- Certificate of Registration with the Nursing Council of Odisha (valid as of application submission).
- HSC and 10+2 certificates or equivalents, along with GNM or BSc Nursing certificates and mark sheets.
- Proof of Odia language proficiency.
- Caste certificate (if applicable) or disability certificate for PwDs.
- DischargeCertificate/Identity documents for Ex-Servicemen.
- For contractual Nursing Officers, documentation of employment and experience.
- Sports ID card for Sportsperson candidates claiming the category.
PwD candidates must provide proof of permanent disability with not less than 40% disability to qualify; temporary disabilities will result in application rejection.
Troubleshooting and Common Mistakes
Applying for such a significant recruitment effort often brings challenges. Candidates should be aware of common pitfalls:
- Photo and Signature Errors: Ensure images meet the specified formats and size requirements.
- Understand Two-Step Application: Complete both registration and the application submission to be eligible.
- Payment Confirmation: If the confirmation page is not generated after payment, follow the guidelines to ensure your application isn't affected.
- Contact Information: Use valid email and mobile numbers that will remain active throughout the recruitment process.
- Avoid Duplicate Applications: Submitting multiple applications will nullify all results.
- Apply Early: To avoid server overload, complete your application well in advance of the deadline.
Important Links
| Resource | Link |
|---|---|
| Extended Last Date Notification | Click Here |
| Official Notification | Click Here |
| Official OSSSC Website | www.osssc.gov.in |
FAQs about OSSSC Nursing Officer Recruitment 2026
What is the last date to apply for OSSSC Nursing Officer 2026?
The deadline for submitting the online application for OSSSC Nursing Officer 2026 is August 16, 2026. The online application system will be disabled after this date.
How many vacancies are there in OSSSC Nursing Officer 2026?
The OSSSC has declared a total of 5989 vacancies for the Nursing Officer position across all 30 districts of Odisha.
What is the educational qualification required for OSSSC Nursing Officer 2026?
Candidates must have completed their 10+2 education, hold a Diploma in GNM or a BSc Nursing degree from a recognized institution, and have a valid Registration or Renewal Certificate from the Nursing Council of Odisha as of the application submission date.
What is the age limit for OSSSC Nursing Officer 2026?
The age range for applicants is between 21 and 42 years as of the advertisement date (June 12, 2026). Certain categories are eligible for age relaxation.
What is the application fee for OSSSC Nursing Officer 2026?
The application fee is ₹500 for all candidates except those from SC, ST, and PwDs categories, who are exempt from the fee.
What is the pay scale for OSSSC Nursing Officer 2026?
The Nursing Officer position has a pay scale ranging from ₹29,200 to ₹92,300 at Pay Matrix Level-8, Cell-01, with an initial basic pay of ₹29,200 per month.
What is the selection process for OSSSC Nursing Officer 2026?
The selection process consists of a Written Test worth 100 marks, followed by Document Verification and the creation of a Provisional Select List. No interviews will be conducted.
What is the exam pattern for OSSSC Nursing Officer Written Test?
The Written Test will comprise 100 questions for a total of 100 marks to be answered in 2 hours, covering various subjects with negative marking for incorrect answers.