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OPSC OAS Syllabus

A recent notification from the Odisha Public Service Commission (OPSC) provided information regarding the Odisha Administrative Service (OAS) 2023
exam. This exam will likely fill over 405 vacancies across various government services for Odisha residents.

As this exam aims to fill positions within the government civil services, its difficulty level will be high. Therefore, candidates need to begin preparations
after knowing its detailed syllabus.

This article shall focus on the OPSC OAS syllabus 2023. A syllabus is essential, as aspirants need to know the important topics. Once they know it, they
can be more confident about this exam.

Candidates can also visit the linked article and get details about the upcoming
government exams (https://byjus.com/govt-exams/) that comprise current affairs and general awareness as an important topic in the syllabus.

Kickstart your competitive exam preparation now and complement it with the links given below:

Logical Reasoning for Government Exams

GK and Current Affairs Quiz

English for Competitive Exams

Latest Updated Current Affairs

100 Difference Between Articles for Revision

Government Exams Previous Year Question Papers with Solution PDFs

OPSC Prelims Syllabus

The prelims exam of the OPSC OAS will be divided into two parts, including paper 1 and paper 2. Each paper will contain 200 marks with 100 MCQs.
Candidates will get 2 hours to complete each paper.

The syllabus for the first paper is described below.

Current events of National and International importance;

History of India and Indian National Movement;

Indian and World Geography-Physical, Social, Economic Geography of India and the World;

Indian Polity and Governance-Constitution, Political System, Panchayati Raj, Public Policy, Rights Issues, etc.

Economic and Social Development-sustainable Development, Poverty, Inclusion, Demographics, Social Sector Initiatives, etc.

General Issues on Environmental Ecology, Bio-diversity and Climate Change that do not require subject specialization, and

General Science.

Candidates can download the NCERT books (https://byjus.com/free-ias-prep/ncert-books-free-downloads-for-upsc/) from the linked article.

Aspiring OPSC candidates are advised to read NCERT books and other important notes:

1. NCERT Notes: Ancient Indian History Notes (https://byjus.com/free-ias-prep/ncert-ancient-history-notes/)

 2. NCERT Notes: Medieval Indian History Notes (https://byjus.com/free-ias-prep/ncert-medieval-history-notes-for-upsc-exams/)

3. NCERT Notes: Modern Indian History Notes (https://byjus.com/free-ias-prep/modern-history-ncert-notes/)

4. NCERT Notes: Art and Culture (https://byjus.com/free-ias-prep/ncert-art-culture-notes-upsc-exams/)

5. NCERT Notes: Geography Notes (https://byjus.com/free-ias-prep/ncert-geography-notes/)

For current affairs, it is highly recommended that candidates read The Hindu newspaper every day without fail. Here you can find Daily Video Analysis of
the Hindu (https://byjus.com/free-ias-prep/daily-video-analysis-the-hindu/).

The syllabus for the second paper is listed below.

Comprehension;

Interpersonal Skills, including communication skills;

Logical Reasoning and Analytic ability;

Decision-Making and Problem-Solving;

General Mental Ability;

Basic numeracy (numbers and their relations, orders of magnitude) (Class-X level). Data Interpretation (Charts, Graphs, Tables, Data Sufficiency
etc. – Class-X level); and

English Language Comprehension Skills (Class-X level).

Note:

The Preliminary Examination is meant to serve as a screening test only.

The marks obtained in Preliminary Examination by the candidates who are declared qualified for admission to the main examination will not be
counted for determining their final order of merit.

Every correct answer in the prelims will get them 2 marks, while one-fourth of marks assigned to that question shall be deducted for indicating an
incorrect response to each question.

OPSC Mains Syllabus

Once candidates clear the prelims, they need to appear for the main exam of OPSC OAS. This exam is divided across five compulsory and four optional
subject papers. Additionally, candidates can complete each paper in 3 hours. The compulsory papers are listed as follows.

Paper I – Odia language

Paper II – English

Paper III – English essay

Paper IV – General Studies I

Paper V – General Studies II

Paper VI, VII, VIII, IX – Optional Papers

All these compulsory papers contribute to a total of 1400 marks. The following section discusses the main exam’s detailed OPSC OAS syllabus 2023.

Note:

Each of the Papers i.e. Paper-I (Odia language) and Paper-II (English) will be of Matriculation standard and shall be qualifying in nature. The
marks obtained in these two papers shall not be counted for ranking.

Paper I – Odia Language

The aim of the paper is to test the candidate’s ability to understand serious discursive prose and express his ideas clearly and correctly in Odia
language. The pattern of questions would broadly be as follows:

Topics Marks

Comprehension of a given passage 30 Marks

Precis writing with a passage of around 1000 words 40 Marks

Translation from English to Odia 30 Marks

Grammar, usage and vocabulary 80 Marks

Short Essay of around 1000 words 100 Marks

 Expansion of an idea 20 Marks

Total 300 Marks

Paper II – English
The aim of the paper is to test the candidate’s ability to understand serious discursive prose and express his ideas clearly and correctly in English
language. The pattern of questions would broadly be as follows:

Topics Marks

Comprehension of a given passage 30 Marks

Precis writing with a passage of around 1000 words 40 Marks

Translation from Odia to English 30 Marks

Grammar, usage and vocabulary 80 Marks

Short Essay of around 1000 words 100 Marks

Expansion of an idea 20 Marks

Total 300 Marks

Paper III – English Essay

Candidates will be required to write an essay on a specific topic. The choice of subjects will be given. They will be expected to keep closely to the
subject of the essay to arrange their ideas in orderly fashion and to write concisely. Credit will be given for effective and exact expression.

Paper IV – General Studies I

History of Modern India and Indian Culture

The History of Modern India will cover the following :

History of India since 1857

Important personalities who shaped the Freedom Movements in Odisha and India

Social Reform Movements

Indian culture will cover the following;

Indian culture from ancient times to modern times

Temple architecture of Odisha.

Socio-cultural developments in Odisha

Geography of India

Geography of India will cover the following-

Physical, economic and social geography of India.

Odisha’s Physiography and Drainage system

Odisha’s Natural Resources – Water, forest and minerals.

Indian Polity

Indian Polity will include the following-

Constitution of India

Political system of India

Government and politics in Odisha

Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) in Odisha.

Current National issues and topics of social relevance

This part is intended to test the candidate’s awareness of current national issues and topics of social relevance in the present day India, such as;
 1. Demography & Human Resource Development

2. Behavioural & Social issues and Social Welfare problems: Child labour, gender inequality, adult literacy, rehabilitation of the handicapped and
other deprived segments of society, drug abuse, public health, education and unemployment.

Legal and environmental issues

1. Human Rights

2. Corruption in public life

3. Communal harmony

4. Protection of minorities

5. Internal security and related issues

6. Environment and ecological issues; ecological preservation, conservation of natural resources and national heritage.

7. Role of national institutions, their relevance and need for change

To cover broad topics from the subjects mentioned above, candidates can take help of the following links:

History Ancient History Notes (https://byjus.com/free-ias-prep/ncert-ancient-history-notes/)

Medieval History Notes (https://byjus.com/free-ias-prep/ncert-medieval-history-notes-for-upsc-

exams/)

Art, Literature, Architecture & Culture Notes (https://byjus.com/free-ias-prep/ncert-art-culture-notes-

upsc-exams/)

Indian & World Geography Geography Notes (https://byjus.com/free-ias-prep/ncert-geography-notes/)

Indian Polity Indian Polity Notes (https://byjus.com/free-ias-prep/polity-notes-upsc/)

Important Government Schemes (https://byjus.com/govt-exams/government-schemes/)

Social & Economic Development Indian Economy Notes (https://byjus.com/free-ias-prep/indian-economy-notes-upsc/)

Environment, Ecology & Climate Environment Notes (https://byjus.com/free-ias-prep/environment-notes-upsc/)

Change

Paper V – General Studies II

India and the World

This part is intended to test candidate’s awareness of India’s relationship with the world in various spheres, such as the following;

1. Foreign Affairs

2. External security and related matters

3. Nuclear policy

4. Indians abroad

Indian Economy

This part will include the following;

Planning, economic development, economic reforms and development of the Corporate Sector in India

Economic and Trade issues

Foreign trade

Role and functions of IMF, World Bank and WTO

Reserve Bank of India – its role and functions

Odishan Economy: Development during the post Reform Period

Regional disparity

International Affairs & Institutions

This part will include the following;

Important events in world affairs

 International institutions like UN, ILO, EU, SAARC, WHO, ICJ

Developments in the field of science & technology, communications and space

In this part, questions will test the candidate’s awareness of the developments in the field of science and technology, communications and space and
also on basic ideas of computer Statistical Analysis, Graphs & Diagrams

This part will include exercises to test the candidates’ ability to draw common sense conclusions from information presented in graphical, statistical or
diagrammatical form and to point out deficiencies, limitations or inconsistencies therein. The candidates should also be aware of techniques of
counting and elementary probability.

Get OPSC Exam related details from the links provided below:

OPSC Admit Card (https://byjus.com/govt-exams/opsc-oas-admit-card/) OPSC Answer Key (https://byjus.com/govt-exams/opsc-oas-

answer-key/)

OPSC Application Form (https://byjus.com/govt-exams/opsc-oas- OPSC Books (https://byjus.com/govt-exams/opsc-oas-books/)

application-form/)

OPSC Cut-Off (https://byjus.com/govt-exams/opsc-oas-cut-off/) OPSC Eligibility (https://byjus.com/govt-exams/opsc-oas-

eligibility/)

OPSC Exam Centres (https://byjus.com/govt-exams/opsc-oas-exam- OPSC Exam (https://byjus.com/govt-exams/opsc-oas-exam-

centres/) date/)

List of Optional Subjects for OPSC Mains Examination

The candidates must opt for two optional subjects for Main Examination. Each subject will have two papers and each paper carrying 300 marks.
Request for change of Optional Subjects will not be entertained.

1. Agriculture

2. Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Science

3. Anthropology

4. Agricultural Engineering

5. Botany

6. Chemistry

7. Civil Engineering

8. Commerce & Accountancy

9. Economics

10. Electrical Engineering

11. Education

12. Fisheries Science

13. Forestry

14. Geography

15. Geology

16. Home Science

17. History

18. Indian Language & Literature (any 1) – Odia, Hindi, Sanskrit, English, Persian, Urdu.

19. Law

20. Management

21. Mathematics

22. Mechanical Engineering

23. Philosophy

24. Physics

25. Political Science & International Relations

26. Public Administration

27. Psychology
 28. Sociology

29. Statistics

30. Zoology

Candidates shall not be allowed to opt for the following combinations of optional subjects.

1. Odia, Hindi, Persian, Sanskrit, Urdu, English

2. Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering and Agricultural Engineering.

3. Mathematics & Statistics

4. Anthropology & Sociology

5. Political Science & International Relations and Public Administration.

6. Commerce & Accountancy and Management.

7. Agriculture and Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Science.

8. Management and Public Administration

9. Education and Psychology

10. Agriculture and Agricultural Engineering.

Personality Test or Interview

The candidates capable of clearing prelims and mains will be called for the final interview. The personality test or interview shall carry 250 Marks.

Thus, hopefully, this article on the OPSC OAS syllabus will guide the aspirants regarding the subjects and topics essential for clearing this exam. They
can quickly clear this exam if they start preparing topic wise and set proper targets.

For the Best preparation strategy for competitive exams (https://byjus.com/govt-exams/competitive-exams-preparation-strategy/), candidates can
visit the linked article and get detailed study material and preparation tips to excel in the examination.

Aspirants who shall be appearing for the exam for the first time and are willing to get some preparation tips and study material for the competitive
exams can turn to BYJU’S for assistance.

Frequently Asked Questions about OPSC OAS Syllabus

Q1 Can I write the OAS exam in Odia?

Odia language is a compulsory paper in the OPSC OAS exam. However, the other papers have to be answered in English.

Q2 What is the age limit for OAS?

According to OPSC, the candidates must be between 18 and 32 years of age. However, there might be age relaxations for some categories.

If aspirants are sitting for multiple state service examinations, they can get syllabus information about each of the important public service commission
examinations from the links mentioned below:

MPSC Syllabus (https://byjus.com/free-ias-prep/mpsc-syllabus-exam- TNPSC Group 1 Syllabus (https://byjus.com/free-ias-prep/tnpsc-group-

pattern/) 1-syllabus/)

UPPSC PCS Syllabus (https://byjus.com/free-ias-prep/uppsc-pcs-exam- WBCS Syllabus (https://byjus.com/free-ias-prep/wbcs-syllabus/)

eligibility/)

RPSC RAS Syllabus (https://byjus.com/free-ias-prep/rpsc-ras-syllabus/) Kerala PSC Syllabus (https://byjus.com/free-ias-prep/kerala-psc-kas-

syllabus/)

BPSC Syllabus (https://byjus.com/free-ias-prep/bpsc-syllabus/) MPPSC Syllabus (https://byjus.com/free-ias-prep/mppsc-syllabus/)

APPSC Group 1 Syllabus (https://byjus.com/free-ias-prep/appsc-group- GPSC Syllabus (https://byjus.com/free-ias-prep/gpsc-syllabus/)

1-syllabus/)

JPSC Syllabus (https://byjus.com/free-ias-prep/jpsc-syllabus/) KPSC KAS Syllabus (https://byjus.com/free-ias-prep/kpsc-kas-

syllabus/)