Odisha scraps six-attempt cap for civil services exam, extends free textbooks to Classes IX–X
Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi announced on Independence Day 2026 that the six-attempt limit for the Odisha Civil Services exam is removed and free textbooks will now cover Classes IX and X.
Summary
Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, addressing the state-level Independence Day function at Mahatma Gandhi Marg in Bhubaneswar on 15 August 2026, scrapped the six-attempt ceiling for the Odisha Civil Services (OCS) examination. Candidates can now appear until they reach the prescribed upper age limit of 42 years; earlier, general candidates had six attempts and SEBC candidates nine, while SC and ST candidates had no limit. The state had earlier raised the upper age limit for government recruitment exams from 32 to 42 years. Majhi also extended free textbooks, so far given up to Class VIII, to students of Classes IX and X.
Key facts
- Announced by
- CM Mohan Charan Majhi, Bhubaneswar, 15 Aug 2026
- OCS change
- Six-attempt cap removed; appear till upper age limit
- Upper age limit
- 42 years (raised earlier from 32)
- Earlier attempts
- General 6; SEBC 9; SC/ST no limit
- Free textbooks
- Extended from up to Class VIII to Classes IX–X
Practice MCQs 2 questions
Up to what upper age limit can candidates now take the Odisha Civil Services exam after the six-attempt cap was removed on 15 August 2026?
Show answer
Correct answer: D — 42 years
Candidates can now appear without an attempt limit until the prescribed upper age limit of 42 years, which the state had earlier raised from 32.
Consider the following statements about Odisha's Independence Day 2026 announcements: 1. Before the announcement, free textbooks in Odisha were given only up to Class V. 2. Before the change, SEBC candidates were allowed nine attempts at the OCS exam. Which of the above is/are correct?
Show answer
Correct answer: B — 2 only
Only statement 2 is correct. Free textbooks were earlier given up to Class VIII and are now extended to Classes IX and X; earlier, general candidates had six OCS attempts and SEBC candidates nine.