OPSC Assistant Fisheries Officer Recruitment 2026 is now open, and it’s a golden opportunity for B.F.Sc. graduates from Odisha who dream of a stable Group-B government job. The Odisha Public Service Commission (OPSC) has released a detailed notification for 44 posts of Assistant Fisheries Officer (AFO) under the Odisha Fisheries Service Cadre, Fisheries and Animal Resources Development Department. This is a Special Recruitment drive, meaning the vacancies are reserved exclusively for Scheduled Caste (SC) and Scheduled Tribe (ST) candidates.
Online applications open on 24 July 2026 and there is no application fee — so if you meet the eligibility criteria, there’s really nothing stopping you from applying. Selected candidates will draw a starting salary of ₹44,900 per month under Pay Level-10, along with the usual allowances applicable to Odisha government employees. In this guide, we cover everything you need — important dates, eligibility, salary, exam pattern, and a step-by-step apply process — so you don’t miss a single detail.
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📌Also Read: Get Latest Odisha State Government Jobs 2026 – All in One Place
Table of Contents
OPSC Assistant Fisheries Officer Recruitment 2026 – Quick Overview
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Organisation | Odisha Public Service Commission (OPSC) |
| Advertisement No. | 05 of 2026-27 |
| Notification No. | 4166/PSC, Dated 18.07.2026 |
| Post Name | Assistant Fisheries Officer (Group-B) |
| Total Vacancies | 44 (13-W) |
| Recruitment Type | Special Recruitment (SC & ST candidates only) |
| Application Mode | Online |
| Application Fee | Nil |
| Registration Starts | 24 July 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply | 24 August 2026 (5:00 PM) |
| Selection Process | Written Examination + Viva Voce Test |
| Job Location | Odisha |
| Salary | ₹44,900/- (Pay Level-10) |
| Official Website | opsc.gov.in |
Important Dates for OPSC AFO Recruitment 2026
Mark these dates on your calendar so you don’t miss the application window or the exam.
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification Released | 18 July 2026 |
| Online Application Starts | 24 July 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply Online | 24 August 2026 (5:00 PM) |
| Written Examination Date | 26 September 2026 (Saturday) |
⚠️ Government application portals often slow down in the last 24–48 hours before the deadline. Don’t wait until 24 August to start your form — apply at least a week early to avoid last-minute technical trouble.
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All 44 vacancies under this drive are reserved under the Special Recruitment scheme for SC and ST candidates only. Here’s the category-wise breakup:
| Category | Number of Vacancies |
|---|---|
| Scheduled Caste (SC) | 01 |
| Scheduled Tribe (ST) | 43 (including 13 for women) |
| Total | 44 |
📌 Also Read: State Government Jobs 2026 – Latest Notifications for more openings like this one across Indian states.
Eligibility Criteria for OPSC AFO Recruitment 2026
Before you start filling the application, make sure you tick every box below — a mismatch in qualification or age can get your form rejected at the scrutiny stage.
Educational Qualification
You need a Bachelor’s Degree in Fishery Science (B.F.Sc.) from a university recognised in India or abroad. There’s no mention of a minimum percentage requirement in the notification, so any valid B.F.Sc. degree should qualify — but do cross-check the official notification for any fine print before applying.
Age Limit (as on 1 January 2026)
Since this is a Special Recruitment drive limited to SC/ST candidates, the age band is wider than a typical OPSC exam.
| Category | Minimum Age | Maximum Age |
|---|---|---|
| SC / ST (General) | 21 years | 47 years |
| SC / ST + PwBD (40% or more disability) | 21 years | 57 years (10-year relaxation) |
In plain terms, you must be born on or after 2 January 1979 and on or before 1 January 2005 to be eligible.
Application Fee
✅ There is no application fee for OPSC Assistant Fisheries Officer Recruitment 2026 — a rare and welcome relief for aspirants, since most Odisha PSC exams usually carry a fee for General and OBC candidates. Because this drive is exclusively for SC/ST candidates (who are typically fee-exempt anyway), OPSC has kept the process completely free for everyone applying.
OPSC Assistant Fisheries Officer Salary 2026
This is usually the first thing every aspirant wants to know, so here are the real numbers. Selected candidates will be placed at Pay Level-10 of the Pay Matrix under the Odisha Revised Scale of Pay (ORSP) Rules, 2017.
| Component | Details |
|---|---|
| Pay Level | Level-10, ORSP Rules 2017 |
| Basic Pay | ₹44,900/- per month |
| Additional Allowances | Dearness Allowance (DA), House Rent Allowance (HRA) and other allowances as per Odisha Government norms |
Once DA and HRA are added, the actual in-hand salary for an Assistant Fisheries Officer will work out noticeably higher than the basic pay of ₹44,900. If you want to estimate how allowances stack up on a similar pay level, this 8th CPC Salary Calculator can give you a rough sense of how pay matrix levels translate into take-home pay.
Selection Process for OPSC AFO Recruitment 2026
Selection to the post of Assistant Fisheries Officer happens in two stages:
- Written Examination (Objective Type) – 800 marks, split across two papers
- Viva Voce Test (Interview) – 100 marks
Candidates who clear the qualifying marks in the written exam are called for the interview — roughly twice the number of advertised vacancies per category, subject to a minimum of 5 candidates. The final merit list is based on combined marks from both the written exam and the interview.
OPSC AFO Exam Pattern 2026
Here’s what your written exam day will actually look like:
| Paper | Sitting | Duration | Questions | Marks | Question Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paper I | 1st | 2½ hours | 200 | 400 | Objective, subject-specific |
| Paper II | 2nd | 2½ hours | 200 | 400 | Objective, subject-specific |
✅ Good news for anxious test-takers: there is no negative marking for wrong answers, so attempting every question is a safe strategy. The exam is expected to be conducted at Cuttack, and possibly Bhubaneswar depending on the number of applicants.
Preparation Tips for OPSC AFO Written Exam 2026
Since this exam tests your core Fishery Science knowledge rather than general aptitude, your B.F.Sc. coursework is your biggest asset. A few pointers to make your preparation more focused:
- Revise core subjects thoroughly — fish biology, aquaculture, fishery management, fish processing and preservation, and fishery economics typically form the backbone of such papers.
- Go through previous OPSC technical exam papers, if available, to understand the difficulty level and question framing style.
- Since there’s no negative marking, practice full-length mock tests under timed conditions so you get comfortable attempting all 200 questions in 2½ hours.
- Keep an eye on recent developments in Odisha’s fisheries and aquaculture sector — state-specific schemes and policies sometimes feature in interviews.
- Don’t neglect the Viva Voce stage. Since it carries 100 marks out of 900, a strong interview performance can make a real difference to your final rank.
How to Apply for OPSC Assistant Fisheries Officer Recruitment 2026
Follow these steps carefully to complete your online application:
- Visit the official OPSC website at opsc.gov.in.
- Locate the notification for Assistant Fisheries Officer Recruitment (Advertisement No. 05 of 2026-27) and read the complete instructions before you begin.
- Register and fill in the Proforma Application with your personal, educational, and category details.
- Upload self-attested scanned copies of the required documents — including your passport-size photograph, full signature, and Left-Hand Thumb Impression (LTI).
- Since this recruitment is fee-exempt, you can go straight to final submission after uploading your documents.
- Once submitted, you’ll receive a unique Permanent Public Service Account Number (PPSAN) for this application.
- Download and keep a printout of your submitted form, along with copies of all supporting documents, for future reference.
💡 Pro Tip: Keep your scanned photograph and signature ready in the correct file size before you start the form — it saves you from having to pause halfway through the application.
📌 Also Read: APSC CCE Recruitment 2025 – Complete Guide if you’re also exploring other State PSC opportunities.
Why Consider a Career as Assistant Fisheries Officer?
Odisha has one of India’s longest coastlines and a fast-growing aquaculture sector, which means fishery science graduates have real, long-term career relevance in the state. As an Assistant Fisheries Officer, you’d be part of the Fisheries and Animal Resources Development Department, working on aquaculture promotion, fish farmer support, and fisheries policy implementation at the grassroots level — with the job security, pension benefits, and steady pay progression that come with any Group-B state government post.
📌 Also Read: NIC Scientist Recruitment 2026 for more science-based government job openings for degree holders.
Important Links
| Resource | Link |
|---|---|
| Detailed Notification | Check official notification |
| Apply Online | Check official site for application portal |
| Official Website | opsc.gov.in |
Frequently Asked Questions
When was the OPSC Assistant Fisheries Officer Recruitment 2026 notification released?
The detailed notification, Advertisement No. 05 of 2026-27 (Notification No. 4166/PSC), was released on 18 July 2026.
How many vacancies are there in OPSC AFO Recruitment 2026?
There are 44 vacancies in total — 1 for Scheduled Caste and 43 for Scheduled Tribe candidates, including 13 reserved for women.
Is there an application fee for OPSC Assistant Fisheries Officer Recruitment 2026?
No, there is no application fee. This recruitment is completely free to apply for.
What is the age limit for OPSC AFO Recruitment 2026?
Candidates must be between 21 and 47 years of age. SC/ST candidates with 40% or more disability get an additional 10-year relaxation.
What is the educational qualification required for this post?
You need a Bachelor’s Degree in Fishery Science (B.F.Sc.) from a recognised university in India or abroad.
What is the selection process for OPSC Assistant Fisheries Officer?
Selection is through a Written Examination of 800 marks (two papers) followed by a Viva Voce Test of 100 marks.
Is there negative marking in the OPSC AFO written exam?
No, there is no negative marking for wrong answers in the written examination.
When is the OPSC AFO written exam scheduled?
The written examination is scheduled for 26 September 2026 (Saturday).
Summing Up…
If you’re a B.F.Sc. graduate from Odisha looking for a secure Group-B government career, OPSC Assistant Fisheries Officer Recruitment 2026 is exactly the kind of opportunity you shouldn’t let pass by — a fee-free application, a respectable starting salary of ₹44,900 under Pay Level-10, and a clear two-stage selection process with no negative marking. Submit your application well before 24 August 2026, keep a printed copy of your form safe, and start your written exam preparation early. For more updates on OPSC recruitments, state PSC notifications, and government job alerts, bookmark govtserviceinfo.com and share this with fellow B.F.Sc. graduates who are also on the lookout.
Disclaimer: All information in this article has been sourced from the official recruitment notification published by the Odisha Public Service Commission (OPSC). GovtServiceInfo.com is not a recruiting authority and does not accept job applications. We strongly recommend reading the full official notification before applying and verifying all details — especially dates, eligibility, and fees — directly from the official website (opsc.gov.in). We are not responsible for any changes made by the recruiting authority after the date of publication.
