Odisha Sub-Ordinate Staff Selection Commission (OSSSC)
Last Date: 13 July 2026

OSSSC has released Advertisement No. IIE-54/2026-1962/OSSSC dated 12 June 2026, inviting online applications for 5989 District Cadre Group-C posts of Nursing Officer across all 30 districts under the Health and Family Welfare Department of the Government of Odisha. Applications open on 13 June 2026, with the submission portal closing on 13 July 2026. Candidates with GNM or BSc Nursing qualifications from institutions recognised by the Indian Nursing Council are eligible to apply. 

OSSSC Nursing Officer Recruitment 2026: Quick Overview

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OSSSC Nursing Officer Recruitment 2026: Quick Intro

OSSSC handles district-level subordinate staff recruitment for state government departments in Odisha and this time OSSSC has come up with a recruitment drive that nursing aspirants in Odisha have been waiting for. With 5,989 vacancies spread across all districts, this is not a small-scale hiring. The Health and Family Welfare Department is looking to fill these District Cadre Group-C posts to strengthen healthcare services across the state. Moreover, what makes this recruitment notification significant is the sheer volume of vacancies. To put things in perspective, OSSSC had advertised 4,070 Nursing Officer posts in 2022 and 7,483 in 2023. The 2026 figure of 5,989 sits comfortably in that range, indicating that the state continues to expand its nursing workforce.

One important detail everyone should read i.e., successful candidates may be deployed as Community Health Officers (CHO) by the respective appointing authorities. This means the role may involve working at Ayushman Arogya Mandir sub-health centres, focusing on community-level healthcare delivery rather than just hospital-based nursing. That is something worth considering before you apply.

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Vacancy Details

Total posts are 5989. These are district cadre positions, which means selected candidates will be posted and transferred within the district they are allocated to. The district-wise breakup of vacancies is provided in Annexure-I of the official notification (Available in the Important Links section toward end of the page). The table below shows the category-wise and gender-wise breakdown. Women's vacancies are included within each category total, not in addition to it.

The following special category vacancies are embedded within the 5989 total above and do not represent additional posts:

The ST share stands at more than 1,580 posts, which is a big number relative to the overall batch. This aligns with Odisha's significant tribal population and the state's reservation framework. What this means for candidates from general categories is that competition will be tougher in districts where reserved category quotas are lower. Urban districts carry fewer posts but will typically see more applicants per seat, which pushes cutoffs higher while, District-wise, Koraput leads with 619 posts, followed by Angul (486), Cuttack (473), Ganjam (386), and Balangir (355). This is not random. The concentration in districts like Koraput and Nabarangpur reflects the state's focus on strengthening health infrastructure in tribal belt areas that have historically faced staffing shortages.

The government has reserved the right to revise the vacancy count at its discretion without prior notice, which is standard language for OSSSC recruitments. Treat the 5989 figure as definitive only at the final selection stage.

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Application Fee

The examination fee under this recruitment follows Odisha's Payment of Recruitment Examination Fees and Refund Rules, 2025.

Fee for SC, ST, and PwD candidates: Nil (no fee)
Fee for all other candidates: Rs. 500

Payment is made online through Net Banking, Credit Card, Debit Card, or UPI via the OSSSC payment gateway during the application process.

There is a candidate-friendly refund provision i.e., the ₹500 fee is refundable to those who actually appear for the examination. The refund will be processed within a reasonable period after the exam and completion of attendance verification. The amount will be credited back to the same bank account or payment method used at the time of registration. No refund is admissible for candidates who fail to appear for any reason. The notification specifically advises candidates to use their own personal account, not someone else's, to ensure the refund reaches them without complications. OSSSC will not be responsible for any inconvenience arising from use of a third party's account. If the confirmation page does not generate after a payment attempt, the transaction is treated as cancelled and the refund comes within 48 hours; the candidate must then make a fresh payment. Candidates who pay the fee but do not appear in the exam get no refund under any circumstances.
SC, ST, and PwD candidates are exempted from paying the examination fee entirely. If you fall under any of these categories, you can complete the application without any payment. However, make sure you have the necessary category certificates ready for verification at a later stage.

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Age Limit

Age is calculated as on the date of advertisement, which is 12 June 2026. The minimum age is 21 years and the general upper limit is 42 years.

The upper age limit of 42 for the general category is worth noting as most Group-C state government posts cap it at 38 or 40. The higher limit here reflects the reality on the ground as large number of GNM and BSc Nursing professionals in Odisha have been working in contractual or private settings for years. They are still within the eligible age window for a permanent role, and this limit keeps the door open for them.

There is also a separate provision for contractual nurses under OSH&FW Society and ASHAs. They get an upper age limit of 45 years. This specifically acknowledges the pool of workers already embedded in the Odisha health system who have not yet been absorbed into permanent service. If you fall under this category, make sure you upload your employer-issued appointment letter with self-attestation during the online application. Without that document, the relaxation will not apply.

One more thing about age relaxation i.e., When you qualify under more than one category, only the single most beneficial relaxation applies. You do not get to add them together. The exception is for PwD candidates from SC, ST, or SEBC categories. They get the cumulative benefit of both their reservation category relaxation and the PwD disability relaxation of 10 years.

Educational Qualification

Candidates must have passed 10+2 (or equivalent) in the 10+2 system and must hold either a Diploma in GNM or a BSc Nursing degree from a medical college or institution recognized and approved by the Indian Nursing Council. The institution does not have to be in Odisha, but INC recognition is mandatory.

Beyond the nursing qualification, two conditions carry equal weight i.e., First, the candidate must have their name registered in the Nursing Council of the State of Odisha and possess a valid Registration or Renewal Certificate as on the date of submission of the online application form. This certificate must be uploaded online during application.

Second, The Odia language requirement is also mandatory. Candidates must be able to speak, read and write Odia. This can be proved by any of the following: passing Middle School Examination with Odia as a language subject, passing Matriculation with Odia as the medium of examination in non-language subjects, passing Odia as a language subject in Class VII or above from a recognised institution, or passing a test in Odia in M.E. School Standard conducted by the School and Mass Education Department.

All eligibility conditions must be fulfilled as on the date of advertisement except the Nursing Council registration which must be valid as on the date of application submission.

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Selection Process

Selection is through a single Written Test followed by Document Verification. There is no interview at any stage of this recruitment.

The written test is 100 marks in MCQ format, conducted in OMR or CBRE (Computer Based Recruitment Examination) mode for a duration of 2 hours. The exact mode will be confirmed separately.
The question paper is divided as follows:

Negative marking is 0.25 marks per wrong answer. Unattempted questions carry no penalty. Marking more than one option for a single question is treated as a wrong answer and attracts the same penalty.

Minimum qualifying scores are 35% for general and unreserved candidates and 30% for SC, ST, PwD, Ex-Servicemen, and Sportsperson candidates.

From the merit list of candidates who clear the minimum qualifying threshold, the top 1.25 times the number of vacancies (category-wise) will be shortlisted for Document Verification. DV is conducted by the Chief District Medical and Public Health Officers at the district level. Candidature remains provisional until the appointing authority validates all documents and formally accepts it. Candidates called for DV must attend mandatorily; failure to appear will mean cancellation of candidature.

In case of a tie, the following sequence will be applied: fewer wrong attempts, higher percentage in professional qualification (GNM/BSc Nursing), older age, higher marks in +2, and finally the Commission's discretion.

Candidates can give preference for up to three districts for the test centre. However, the Commission reserves the right to allot a district other than the candidate's preference due to inadequate infrastructure or capacity at some centres.

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Salary, Job Location, and Service Conditions

Selected candidates will be placed under Pay Matrix Level-8 of the Odisha Revised Scales of Pay Rules, 2017. The pay scale ranges from ₹29,200 to ₹92,300. Additional allowances such as DA, HRA, and others will be applicable as per government norms.

The job location is across all 30 districts of Odisha. Since these are district cadre posts, which means the selected candidate is allocated to one district and all future transfers happen within that district. The district allocation is based on merit, available vacancies, and district preference choices submitted in the application. Candidates can indicate up to three districts in order of preference, though OSSSC has made clear that this does not guarantee posting to the preferred district. The Commission may allow candidates to revise their district preferences at a later stage, and a Physical Counselling round for district allocation may also be held if the Commission decides.

The notification does not state a probation period or bond condition.

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How to Apply

1. Visit the official OSSSC website at www.osssc.gov.in
2. If you have never registered with OSSSC before (New User): click "Apply Online" on the homepage and complete the registration process
3. If you have previously registered for any other OSSSC recruitment and already have a User ID (Registered User): log in and select the "Re-registration" option from the Applicant Menu to register specifically for this Nursing Officer post
4. Registration and online application are two separate steps; completing registration does not automatically file your application; the application must be filled and submitted independently after registration
5. After registration or re-registration, log in again and fill in the online application form with accurate personal, educational, and professional details as per your documents
6. Upload a recent passport-size coloured photograph scanned in JPG, JPEG, or PNG format, between 20 kb and 100 kb
7. Upload your full specimen signature scanned in JPG, JPEG, or PNG format, between 20 kb and 50 kb; both photo and signature must be clearly identifiable or the application is liable for rejection
8. Upload your valid Odisha Nursing Council registration or renewal certificate
9. If applicable, upload caste certificate, UDID card or disability certificate, sportsperson ID card, appointment letter (for contractual nurses), or Odia language certificate as relevant
10. Pay the examination fee of Rs. 500 through Net Banking, Credit Card, Debit Card, or UPI; SC, ST, and PwD candidates are exempt
11. After successful payment, download and save the Confirmation Page; if it is not generated, treat the transaction as failed and make a fresh payment
12. Review the entire application carefully before final submission
13. Download and keep a copy of the submitted application form; OSSSC does not send any documents by post at any stage

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Required Documents and Important Instructions

These documents must be kept ready for upload during the application and in original for Document Verification:

• Valid Odisha Nursing Council Registration or Renewal Certificate (current as on date of application submission; upload mandatory)
• HSC (Class 10) certificate and mark sheet
• 10+2 certificate and mark sheet
• GNM Diploma or BSc Nursing degree certificate and mark sheets from all semesters or years
• Caste certificate from competent authority (SC/ST/SEBC candidates)
• UDID Card or Permanent Disability Certificate showing not less than 40% disability (PwD candidates only; those with temporary disability are not eligible and applications will be summarily rejected)
• Odia language pass certificate: Class VII or above from an Odisha or Central Government school, or equivalent Middle School standard Odia test certificate
• Discharge Certificate, Identity Card, and supporting defence service documents for Ex-Servicemen, along with an undertaking that no state government re-employment benefit under Ex-Serviceman category has previously been availed
• Sportsperson ID Card issued by the Sports and Youth Services Department, Odisha (original scan only, not photocopy; for Sportsperson reservation claimants)
• Appointment letter with self-attestation from employer (for contractual Nursing Officers under OSH&FW Society and ASHAs claiming age relaxation)

Keep your personal email ID and mobile number active throughout the entire recruitment process. OSSSC sends activation keys, alerts, and admission letters only through these. Do not share or change either during the process. PwD candidates who need a scribe for the written test must obtain written permission from the ADM-cum-District Superintendent at least three days before the test date.

Do not submit more than one application form under any circumstances. Duplicate submissions lead to cancellation of results even at later stages and are treated as use of unfair means. The Commission does not verify original documents at the time of admitting candidates to the Written Test. Admission to the test is provisional based on the information submitted in the online application. Original documents will be verified only for shortlisted candidates during the Document Verification stage. Any misrepresentation, suppression of information, or furnishing of wrong information will result in cancellation of candidature at any stage, even after the issue of appointment order.

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To help aspirants better understand the recruitment process, here are some important practical Points:

Your District Preference Choice Has Career-Long Consequences Here

The Nursing Officer post is district cadre, so transfers happen only within the allotted district for your entire service tenure in this role. The three district preferences you enter in the application are the realistic boundary of your future posting geography, not a wish list that can be revised freely later. Koraput leads this batch at 619 posts, partly because it is a tribal-belt district with health facilities spread across remote terrain. Candidates with strong geographic preferences should map choices carefully before applying. Those who are flexible about location may do better choosing high-vacancy districts, where competition per available seat is generally less compared to smaller urban districts.

The Practical Skills Section Changes How You Should Prepare

The 60-mark nursing subjects section will determine most of the merit list, but 25 marks from practical skills is a section that also needs carefull understanding. These questions test clinical reasoning and scenario-based judgment, not recall of textbook definitions therefore, candidates with recent clinical exposure have a natural advantage here. They have handled real situations and know how to prioritise. Fresh graduates should spend time on case-based MCQ practice rather than re-reading the same theory chapters again and again. The tie-breaking rule also matters. If two candidates get the same total score, the one with fewer wrong attempts ranks higher. This means knowing when not to guess is as important as getting the answer right. Each wrong answer costs you 0.25 marks. Over the entire paper, that penalty can push you down the merit list. Be smart about your guesses.

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❓Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How many vacancies are available in OSSSC Nursing Officer 2026?

Total posts are 5989 spread across all 30 districts of Odisha. UR accounts for 2,821 posts, ST for 1,588, SC for 971, and SEBC for 609. Women's vacancies are included within each category's total, not added separately. An additional 480 special category posts are embedded within the overall total.

What is the last date to apply?

13 July 2026 is the deadline for online application submission. Registration and re-registration must be completed by 6 July 2026. Registration alone does not constitute filing of the application; the online application must be separately submitted after completing registration.

Who is eligible to apply?

Candidates must have passed 10+2 and hold a GNM Diploma or BSc Nursing degree from an INC-recognised institution. A valid Odisha Nursing Council registration certificate on the date of application submission is mandatory. Odia language proficiency through one of the four specified academic pathways is also required.

What is the age limit and what relaxations are there?

The general upper age limit is 42 years as on 12 June 2026, with a minimum of 21 years. SC, ST, SEBC, and Women candidates get 5 years' relaxation. PwD candidates get 10 years. Contractual nurses under OSH&FW Society and ASHAs have an upper limit of 45 years. Ex-Servicemen get relaxation equal to their total period of defence service.

What does the selection process involve?

A single written test of 100 marks in MCQ format, covering nursing subjects (60 marks), practical skills (25 marks), arithmetic (10 marks), and English (5 marks), with 0.25 negative marking per wrong answer. The exam runs for 2 hours. Candidates who clear the written test are shortlisted at 1.25 times the vacancy count for Document Verification. There is no interview.

What is the salary for this post?

Pay Scale is 29,200 to 92,300 under Pay Matrix Level 8, Cell-01 as per ORSP Rules 2017. The entry-level basic pay is Rs. 29,200 per month.

What is the application fee and is it refunded?

Rs. 500 for all candidates except SC, ST, and PwD who are fully exempt. The fee is refunded to candidates who actually appear for the written test, credited to the same bank account or payment method used during registration. Candidates who pay but do not appear get no refund.

How do I apply online?

Apply at www.osssc.gov.in. New applicants complete registration first, then fill and submit the online application as a separate step. Existing OSSSC registered users must select the Re-registration option for this specific Nursing Officer post before submitting the application. Both steps must be completed independently.

What is the official website?

www.osssc.gov.in is the official OSSSC portal. All notifications, admit cards, answer keys, and results for this recruitment will be published there.

I am already registered on OSSSC from a previous recruitment. Do I need to register again?

No fresh registration is needed. Log in with your existing OSSSC User ID, select the Re-registration option from the Applicant Menu for this Nursing Officer post, and then fill and submit the online application separately as the next step.

Can contractual nurses working under OSH&FW Society or the ASHA programme apply?

Yes. Contractual Nursing Officers under OSH&FW Society or Scheme and ASHAs are eligible with an upper age limit of 45 years. They must upload their employer-issued appointment letter with self-attestation during the online application and keep the originals ready for verification after the written test.

My Odisha Nursing Council registration has expired. Can I still apply?

A valid registration or renewal certificate is required on the date of online application submission specifically, not just at some earlier point. An expired certificate makes you ineligible. Renew your council registration before submitting the application.

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Conclusion 

The application window is open from 13 June 2026 to 13 July 2026. Registration closes earlier on 6 July 2026. The first step is to visit the official OSSSC website and complete your registration or re-registration. Do not wait until the last date. Keep all your documents ready before you start the application process. This includes your educational certificates, Nursing Council registration certificate (most important, confirm your Odisha Nursing Council registration is valid and current), Odia language certificate, category certificates (if applicable), scanned photograph and signature in the specified formats. The photograph should be between 20-100 kb and signature between 20-50 kb in jpg/jpeg/png format.
The competition will be high. Start your preparation early. Focus on nursing subjects and practical skills as they carry 85 marks out of 100. Arithmetic and English at HSC standard are relatively scoring if your basics are clear also, Previous year papers can give you a good idea of the question pattern and difficulty level.
The written test date and admit card release date will be announced later on the official website. Keep checking www.osssc.gov.in regularly for updates. The Commission will not send printed admission letters by post; you will have to download your admit card from the website using your User ID and password.

This article is based on the official notification and simplified for easy understanding. For the most accurate and updated information, always refer to the official website.