OPSC VAS Recruitment 2026: Apply Online for 436 Veterinary Assistant Surgeon Posts | Check Eligibility, Salary & Last Date
The Odisha Public Service Commission (OPSC) has released Advertisement No. 04 of 2026-27, inviting online applications for 436 backlog vacancies of Veterinary Assistant Surgeon (VAS)/Additional VAS under the Fisheries & Animal Resources Development (ARD) Department. This is a golden opportunity for BVSc & AH graduates from Odisha’s SEBC, SC, and ST communities to secure a Group-A Gazetted post with a handsome pay scale of Rs. 56,100/-. Online registration starts 24.07.2026 and closes 24.08.2026, with the written exam scheduled for 26.09.2026. Read on for complete eligibility, fee, syllabus, and application details.
🏢 Organization Details
- Recruiting Body: Odisha Public Service Commission (OPSC)
- Post Name: Veterinary Assistant Surgeon (VAS) / Additional Veterinary Assistant Surgeon, Group-A (Junior Branch-II)
- Advertisement No: 04 of 2026-27 (Notice No. 4195/PSC, Dated 18.07.2026)
- Job Location: Odisha (Posting under Fisheries & Animal Resources Development Department)
OPSC is Odisha’s apex recruiting body for positions of Group-A and Group-B state government services. Being recruited into a VAS post means you would become a part of Odisha’s Veterinary Service as a Group-A officer with permanent employment. The recruitment process aims at filling the backlog vacancies and therefore provides a rare opportunity for veterinary graduates from reserved categories.
📊 Number of Vacancies & Reservation
- Total Posts: 436 (144-W) — all vacancies are backlog vacancies
| Category | Vacancies (Women) |
|---|---|
| SEBC | 62 (20-W) |
| SC | 141 (47-W) |
| ST | 233 (77-W) |
| Total | 436 (144-W) |
Additional sub-quota (adjusted within the above categories, not extra):
- Persons with Disabilities (40%+ disability): 18 (06-W)
- Sports Persons: 04 (01-W)
⚠️ Important: This recruitment drive is meant only for SEBC, SC, and ST category candidates to fill long-pending backlog posts. General/OBC category candidates are not eligible to apply under this specific advertisement.
With 436 posts up for grabs, this is one of the biggest veterinary recruitment drives by OPSC in recent years, giving reserved-category B.V.Sc graduates a strong shot at a stable government career.
🎓 Discipline & Educational Qualification
To be eligible, a candidate must possess:
- A Bachelor’s Degree in Veterinary Science & Animal Husbandry (B.V.Sc. & A.H.) or an equivalent degree from a recognized University/College/Institution in India or abroad
- Required conversion certificates recognized by the Veterinary Council of India (VCI), if the degree is from a foreign university
- A valid Registration Certificate under the Odisha Veterinary Practitioners Act, 1970 (Section 21)
A clear BVSc & AH qualification ensures that this recruitment process remains well-targeted and minimizes any undue competition from unrelated fields. Also, it is mandatory for the candidates to ensure that their registration with the VCI is up to date prior to the last date of application.
📉 Minimum Qualifying Marks
No specific cut-off percentage is mentioned by the official notification in the degree while applying for the job. But those who have “Grade Marks” but not percentages should have a Conversion Certificate issued by their respective universities. Otherwise, the application is not entertained.
As no specific cut-off percentage is mentioned for the eligibility, candidates should prepare themselves well for the written test as final selection will be made only on the basis of marks obtained in it.
🎂 Age Limit
- Minimum Age: 21 years
- Maximum Age: 47 years
- As on: 1st January, 2026 (candidates must be born between 02.01.1979 and 01.01.2005)
- Age Relaxation: Persons with Disabilities (belonging to SEBC/SC/ST) with 40% or more permanent disability get a 10-year age relaxation above 47 years
- Candidates falling under more than one relaxation category get only ONE benefit — whichever is more advantageous
- No other age relaxation is permitted beyond what’s stated above
The upper age limit of 47 years is an extremely lenient provision when compared to that of many other states’ PSC tests, making way both for seasoned veterinarians as well as new entrants into the field. Please make sure that your date of birth in the application form corresponds to your High School Certificate.
💰 Application Fee
- General/OBC: Not applicable (this drive is for SEBC/SC/ST only)
- SEBC (Non-Creamy Layer): ₹700/- (through online payment mode)
- SC/ST/PwD: Exempted — no fee required
- Payment Mode: Online only (Credit Card, Debit Card, UPI, Net Banking, Wallet)
- Refund: Fee is refunded only to candidates who actually appear in the Written Examination
The comparatively low fee of ₹700 (complete exemption for SC/ST/PwD) makes this affordable for applicants from poorer sections of society. Please note that your banking details (account number and IFSC code) would be required in case you fail to pay and need a refund.
⚙️ Selection Process
Selection is based purely on a Written Examination — there is no interview.
- Mode: Objective Type (MCQ)
- Total Marks: 800 (two papers of 400 marks each)
- Document Verification: Shortlisted candidates are called for DV — twice the number of vacancies (or 5 candidates if vacancy is up to 2)
- Merit List: Prepared strictly by marks scored in the written exam, equal to the number of advertised vacancies
- Medical Examination: Mandatory for all selected candidates before appointment
In the absence of an interview round, the whole process is based on the examination itself, hence the importance of preparation. An objective pattern test is more favorable to those who prepare the syllabus and solve the MCQs.
📚 Examination Syllabus & Exam Pattern
| Paper | Subject | Sitting | Duration | Questions | Marks | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paper-I | Veterinary Science | 1st | 2½ hrs | 200 | 400 | Objective, General Awareness & Subject Specific |
| Paper-II | Animal Science | 2nd | 2½ hrs | 200 | 400 | Objective |
Paper-I (Veterinary Science) covers:
Veterinary Medicine, Veterinary Gynaecology & Obstetrics, Veterinary Pharmacology & Toxicology, Veterinary Parasitology, Veterinary Anatomy, Veterinary Public Health, Veterinary Surgery & Radiology, Veterinary Pathology, Veterinary Microbiology
Paper-II (Animal Science) covers:
Veterinary Physiology, Veterinary Biochemistry, Veterinary & Animal Husbandry Extension, Animal Nutrition, Livestock Products Technology, Livestock Production & Management, Animal Genetics & Breeding
This is the latest OPSC VAS syllabus and exam pattern for 2026, and it closely mirrors core B.V.Sc curriculum subjects. Since both papers carry equal weight (400 marks each), candidates should divide study time evenly rather than over-focusing on just one paper.
📅 Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification/Notice Date | 18.07.2026 |
| Online Registration Start Date | 24.07.2026 |
| Online Registration Last Date | 24.08.2026 (5:00 PM) |
| Written Examination Date | 26.09.2026 (Saturday) |
Only online applications received within the deadline (24.08.2026, 5 PM) will be accepted — no extensions or exceptions are typically granted. Don’t wait for the last date; submit early to avoid server rush and technical glitches that could cost you your application.
📝 How to Apply
- Visit the official OPSC website: https://www.opsc.gov.in
- Go through all details of the advertisement and instructions carefully before starting
- Register online and fill in the Proforma Application with accurate personal, educational, and category details
- Upload scanned images of your latest passport-size photograph, full signature, and Left-Hand Thumb Impression (LTI) as per specifications
- Pay the examination fee (₹700 for SEBC; exempted for SC/ST/PwD) through the available online payment modes
- Verify all submitted details carefully — you cannot edit after final submission; to correct errors, you must cancel and reapply before the last date
- On successful submission, note your Permanent Public Service Account Number (PPSAN)
- Take a printout of the finally submitted application form and sign the declaration — keep it safe for document verification later
For first-time applicants, remember: OPSC does not entertain corrections or complaints after the final submission, so double-check every field before hitting submit.
📜 General Conditions & Important Rules
- Candidates must be citizens of India, medically fit, and able to speak/read/write Odia (with proof via matriculation, M.E. School exam, or an Odia language test)
- Government servants must obtain a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from their Head of Office in advance
- SEBC certificates must be issued within the last 3 years from the date of application submission
- Women candidates under SC/ST/SEBC must submit caste certificates showing “daughter of,” not “wife of”
- Submitting forged/manipulated documents leads to a 3-year debarment from all OPSC exams
- Any misrepresentation or suppression of facts can lead to cancellation of candidature at any stage, even after appointment
- No request for category change or withdrawal of candidature will be entertained
These rules are strictly enforced by OPSC, and even minor documentation mismatches (like an expired SEBC certificate) can lead to outright rejection — so it pays to prepare your certificates well in advance of the deadline.
🔗 Important Links
- Apply Online: https://www.opsc.gov.in
- Official Notification (PDF): Available on OPSC official website
- Official Website: https://www.opsc.gov.in
❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
The online application link is available from 24.07.2026 to 24.08.2026 (5:00 P.M.). This is the closing date for submission of the registered online application form.
Candidates belonging to SEBC, SC, or ST category of Odisha, holding a B.V.Sc & A.H. degree (or equivalent) with valid registration under the Odisha Veterinary Practitioners Act, 1970, and aged between 21 and 47 years as on 01.01.2026, can apply.
Selected candidates will get a pay scale of Rs. 56,100/- (Level 12, Cell-1 of Pay Matrix under Rule-3 of the ORSP Rules, 2017), along with usual Dearness Allowance and other allowances as sanctioned by the Odisha Government.
Selection is based entirely on a Written Examination consisting of two objective-type papers (Paper-I: Veterinary Science and Paper-II: Animal Science), each carrying 400 marks, followed by Document Verification. There is no interview.
Candidates other than SC, ST, and PwD must pay Rs. 700/- through online mode. SC, ST, and PwD candidates are exempted from paying the examination fee.
The written examination will be held on 26.09.2026 (Saturday). The detailed schedule and exam centre will be notified separately on the OPSC website.
There are 436 total backlog vacancies (144 reserved for women), broken down as 62 for SEBC, 141 for SC, and 233 for ST categories, with sub-reservations for PwD and Sports Persons.
⚠️ Disclaimer
The information in this article has been compiled from the official OPSC advertisement for general guidance purposes only. Candidates are strongly advised to verify all details from the official website or the original notification before applying. CurrentOpenings (currentopenings.in) is not responsible for any error, mismatch, or update in the information provided here.
| Advertisement No. | 4195/PSC |
| Total Vacancies | 436 |
| Job Type | Permanent |
| Apply Date | 24 Jul 2026 — 24 Aug 2026 Upcoming |
| Job Location | 📍 Odisha |
| Official Advertisement | Download PDF |
| Notification/Notice Date | 18.07.2026 |
| Online Registration Start Date | 24.07.2026 |
| Online Registration Last Date | 24.08.2026 (5:00 PM) |
| Written Examination Date | 26.09.2026 (Saturday) |
| Official Website | Open website |
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