With 5,989 positions across all 30 districts of Odisha, the Odisha Sub-ordinate Staff Selection Commission (OSSSC) has opened recruitment for Nursing Officer posts under the Nursing Service recruitment rules. Applications are being accepted through https://www.osssc.gov.in from 13 June 2026, with the final submission deadline set for 20 July 2026. Candidates must complete both registration and application submission separately before the closing date; registration alone does not constitute a filed application.
Only three weeks remain to submit your application. The OSSSC system will be automatically disabled after midnight on 20 July 2026, and no applications will be accepted thereafter, regardless of when you initiated the process.
OSSSC Nursing Officer Recruitment 2026 – Overview
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Organization | Odisha Sub-ordinate Staff Selection Commission (OSSSC) |
| Post Name | Nursing Officer |
| Total Vacancies | 5,989 |
| Advertisement Number | IIE-54/2026-1962/OSSSC dated 12/06/2026 |
| Cadre Type | District Cadre, Group-C (Permanent) |
| Application Mode | Online at www.osssc.gov.in |
| Official Website | https://www.osssc.gov.in |
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Online Registration Opens | 13/06/2026 |
| Registration Closes | 06/07/2026 |
| Application Submission Closes | 20/07/2026 |
| Extended Application Submission | 27/07/2026 |
Registration and application submission are two separate steps. Candidates must complete registration first, then log in separately to submit the full application form before 20 July 2026 to be considered. Completing registration alone will not result in a filed application.
Eligibility Criteria for OSSSC Nursing Officer Recruitment 2026
As per the official notification released by OSSSC on 12 June 2026, candidates must satisfy all educational and age requirements simultaneously on the date of advertisement, except for Nursing Council registration, which must be valid on the date of application submission.
Eligibility Summary: Candidates aged 21 to 42 years with 10+2 qualification, a Diploma in General Nursing & Midwifery (GNM) or Bachelor of Science (BSc) Nursing from an institution recognised by the Indian Nursing Council, valid Odisha Nursing Council registration, and demonstrated proficiency in Odia language are eligible to apply.
Age Limit
| Category | Age Range |
|---|---|
| General / OBC (SEBC) / Unreserved | 21 to 42 years |
| SC / ST / SEBC / Women | 21 to 47 years |
| Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) | 21 to 52 years |
| PwDs under SC/ST/SEBC | 21 to 57 years (cumulative relaxation) |
| Ex-Servicemen | As per total defence service period |
| Contractual Nursing Officers (OSH&FW Society/ASHA) | 21 to 45 years |
Age is calculated from the HSC Certificate issued by the Board of Secondary Education, Odisha or an equivalent document from a recognised board. Candidates eligible under multiple relaxation categories receive only the single most beneficial relaxation, except PwDs under SC/ST/SEBC who receive cumulative relief as stated above. Ex-Servicemen who have already availed this benefit for earlier State Government recruitment are not eligible to claim it again.
Educational Qualification
Candidates must meet all four requirements:
- Academic Qualification: Pass 10+2 or equivalent.
- Professional Qualification: Diploma in GNM (General Nursing & Midwifery) or BSc Nursing from an institution recognised and approved by the Indian Nursing Council.
- Nursing Council Registration: Valid registration with the Odisha Nursing Council as of the date of application submission. The original registration or renewal certificate must be uploaded during the online application.
- Odia Language Proficiency: Candidates must speak, read, and write Odia and satisfy one of these: passed Middle School Examination with Odia as a language subject; passed Matriculation or equivalent with Odia as the medium of instruction in non-language subjects; passed Odia as a language subject in Class-VII or above from a Government-recognised school; or passed a test in Odia at M.E. School Standard conducted by the Odisha School & Mass Education Department.
Additional Eligibility Conditions
Candidates must be Indian citizens of good moral character. Married candidates must not have more than one spouse living. Candidates debarred by OSSSC during any specified period are not eligible during that time. Sportsperson category claimants must possess a valid Sportsperson ID card from the Sports & Youth Services Department, Government of Odisha, and upload a scanned copy of the original during application. PwD candidates must possess a Permanent Disability Certificate showing not less than 40% disability; applicants with temporary disability are ineligible.
Who Should Consider This OSSSC Nursing Officer Recruitment?
- Nursing graduates holding a GNM Diploma or BSc Nursing with current Odisha Nursing Council registration can apply. This is a permanent Group-C position with stable career growth.
- Candidates aged 21 to 42 years meet the baseline age requirement; SC, ST, and women candidates receive 5 years’ additional relaxation.
- Persons with disabilities receive up to 10 years’ relaxation, with cumulative relief available to PwD candidates in reserved categories-the upper age limit can reach 57 years.
- This district cadre post means that posting and transfer occur only within your allocated district, providing regional stability.
- Both newly qualified nursing graduates and experienced practitioners can apply; there is no minimum work experience requirement.
Vacancy Breakdown – OSSSC Nursing Officer Recruitment 2026
The 5,989 positions are distributed across Odisha’s 30 districts as district cadre posts. All vacancies are open to district-wise allocation based on candidate preference and merit.
Category-wise Vacancies
| Category | Vacancies |
|---|---|
| Unreserved (UR) | 1,880 |
| UR – Women | 941 |
| Scheduled Tribe (ST) | 1,057 |
| ST – Women | 531 |
| Scheduled Caste (SC) | 645 |
| SC – Women | 326 |
| SEBC (Socially & Educationally Backward Classes) | 406 |
| SEBC – Women | 203 |
| Total | 5,989 |
Special Category Vacancies (within district totals)
| Special Category | Reserved Posts |
|---|---|
| Ex-Servicemen | 180 |
| Sportsperson | 60 |
| Visually Impaired | 60 |
| Hearing Impaired | 60 |
| Orthopedically Impaired | 60 |
| Mentally Disabled | 60 |
Top 5 Districts by Vacancy Count
| District | Vacancies |
|---|---|
| Koraput | 619 |
| Angul | 486 |
| Cuttack | 473 |
| Balangir | 355 |
| Balasore | 347 |
Vacancies are spread uniformly across all 30 districts. Candidates must list district preferences in order of priority during the online application; allocation is based on merit and availability within each district.
About the Nursing Officer Role
Nursing Officers in the OSSSC recruitment perform clinical nursing duties in government health facilities, hospitals, and community health centres across their assigned district. The role encompasses patient care, medication administration, wound management, health education, and coordination with other healthcare professionals in delivering primary and secondary healthcare services. This is a permanent Group-C position under the Odisha Health & Family Welfare Department, offering structured career progression, government service benefits, and posting security within the candidate’s allocated district. Selected candidates may be deployed as Community Health Officers (CHO) by the appointing authority, diversifying the scope of professional responsibility and career development opportunities.
Pay Scale and Benefits
| Component | Details |
|---|---|
| Pay Scale | ₹29,200-92,300 per month |
| Pay Matrix Level | Level-8, Cell-01 |
| Starting Basic Pay | ₹29,200 per month |
| Cadre Classification | Permanent Group-C Post |
| Allowances | Dearness Allowance and other allowances as per Government rules |
At Pay Matrix Level-8, this is an entry-level permanent Government of India post. Starting at ₹29,200 per month, nurses will typically receive an in-hand salary ranging from approximately ₹32,000 to ₹38,000 per month after statutory deductions and location-based allowances. The pay scale progresses over 24 years to a maximum of ₹92,300, with regular annual increments, Dearness Allowance adjustments aligned with inflation, and full government benefits including pension, housing, medical, and leave allowances.
Application Fee
| Category | Fee |
|---|---|
| General / OBC (SEBC) / EWS | ₹500 |
| SC / ST / Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) | Nil |
Payment of ₹500 must be made via Net Banking, Credit Card, Debit Card, or UPI during online application submission. Candidates who pay the fee and appear in the written examination will receive a full refund after the examination and attendance verification are completed. No refund is available to applicants who do not appear in the examination. If the Confirmation Page is not generated after payment, the transaction will be cancelled and refunded within 48 hours; candidates must then make a fresh payment. Refunds are credited to the same bank account or payment method used during registration. Using your own account ensures smooth processing.
Selection Process for OSSSC Nursing Officer Recruitment 2026
The selection comprises four stages: a single Written Test (no interview), Provisional Master Merit List, Document Verification, and final Provisional Select List.
Stage 1 – Written Test
Format: 100 questions for 100 marks in 2 hours. Mode (OMR or Computer-Based) will be notified separately.
| Section | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Nursing Subjects (per Annexure-II syllabus) | 60 | 60 |
| Practical Skills-Based Questions | 25 | 25 |
| Arithmetic (HSC Standard) | 10 | 10 |
| English (HSC Standard) | 5 | 5 |
| Total | 100 | 100 |
Negative Marking: 0.25 marks deducted per incorrect answer. Marking more than one option is treated as incorrect. Blank answers attract no penalty.
Minimum Qualifying Marks (normalised score): 30% for SC, ST, PwDs, Ex-Servicemen, and Sportsperson candidates; 35% for all others.
Tie-Breaking Sequence (applied in order): (a) Fewer wrong attempts; (b) Higher percentage in GNM Diploma or BSc Nursing; (c) Age seniority (older candidates ranked higher); (d) Higher marks in +2 examination; (e) Commission discretion.
Normalisation: If the test is conducted in Computer-Based mode across multiple shifts, a normalisation formula will be applied to convert raw scores to normalised scores for fair comparison.
Syllabus Topics: Anatomy & Physiology, Microbiology, Psychology, Sociology, Nursing Foundation, First Aid, Community Health Nursing, Nutrition, Medical Surgical Nursing/Adult Health Nursing (BSc 2021 revision), Mental Health Nursing, Child Health Nursing, Midwifery & Gynaecological Nursing, Nursing Education, Research and Statistics, Professionalism & Professional Ethics, Nursing Administration & Management.
Stage 2 – Provisional Master Merit List
After the Written Test, candidates scoring at least the minimum qualifying marks are shortlisted for Document Verification at not less than 1.25 times the advertised vacancies, applied category and special category-wise.
Stage 3 – Document Verification
Shortlisted candidates appear before the District Level Board at the office of the Collector and District Magistrate of each district. Original certificates are verified by the Chief District Medical & Public Health Officers. Non-attendance at Document Verification results in automatic rejection. Candidature remains provisional until validated by the appointing authority.
Stage 4 – Provisional Select List
A Provisional Select List equal to the advertised vacancies is prepared from the Document Verification shortlist, based strictly on merit, availability, and the candidate’s district preference expressed during application. Physical counselling may be conducted at OSSSC’s discretion for district allocation based on merit-cum-choice and actual vacancies.
How to Apply for OSSSC Nursing Officer Recruitment 2026
- Visit https://www.osssc.gov.in on the official OSSSC website.
- On the Home page, click “Apply Online” if you are a new user with no prior OSSSC registration. If you previously registered for any OSSSC post and have a User ID, click “Re-registration” under the Applicant Menu instead.
- Read the instructions carefully by clicking “How do I register/re-register/apply” on the Home page before filling out any form.
- Gather required documents before starting registration: scanned colour passport-size photograph in jpg/jpeg/png format, 20-100 KB; scanned full-specimen signature in jpg/jpeg/png format, 20-50 KB; valid personal email ID; active mobile/cell phone number (keep active throughout the entire process).
- Complete the Registration Form. Save your User ID and Password securely-these are needed for all future steps, including admit card downloads and OSSSC communications.
- Log in after registration and fill out the Online Application Form with all required details. Upload all required documents as guided by the portal.
- Indicate district preferences (up to available districts) in priority order.
- Pay the ₹500 application fee (if applicable) using Net Banking, Credit Card, Debit Card, or UPI via the Payment Gateway. After successful payment, a Confirmation Page will appear. Print this page.
- Click Submit to finalise the application. Incomplete applications are automatically rejected. No Admission Letter is issued if the application is found incomplete.
- Store your User ID, Password, and registration number safely for downloading Admit Cards and receiving communications from OSSSC.
Ensure all entered information matches your official documents exactly, as any mismatch during Document Verification will result in rejection.
Common Mistakes to Avoid While Applying
- Photograph and Signature Size Errors: Uploading images outside the specified size range (photograph 20-100 KB, signature 20-50 KB) or incorrect format (anything other than jpg/jpeg/png)-the portal will reject these files immediately, forcing re-upload and delaying submission.
- Confusing Registration with Application Submission: Many candidates complete registration and believe they have applied. Registration is only step one. You must log back in separately to fill and submit the Online Application Form, which is the actual filed application.
- Payment Confirmation Errors: If the Confirmation Page does not appear after paying ₹500, do not close your browser immediately and do not make a duplicate payment. The transaction will be cancelled within 48 hours and refunded automatically; you can then make a single fresh payment. Multiple simultaneous payments lead to complications and potential rejection.
- Using an Inactive Email or Mobile Number: Registering with an email or phone number you don’t actively monitor means you will miss critical OSSSC communications, admit card updates, and result notifications. Keep your registered contact details active throughout the entire recruitment.
- Submitting Multiple Applications: Filing more than one application for the same post results in automatic cancellation of both applications and permanent disqualification. Submit only one form per candidate.
- Last-Minute Submission: Applying close to the 20 July 2026 deadline risks server congestion, session timeouts, and incomplete submissions. Complete and submit well before the closing date.
- Incorrect District Preference Selection: Carefully review the list of available districts and rank them in genuine order of preference during application. These preferences directly determine your posting location after selection.
- Missing or Unclear Odia Language Proof: Candidates must upload their certificate or proof of passing Odia at the required level. Missing this document during submission results in a blanket application rejection.
Documents Required for Document Verification
Candidates shortlisted for Document Verification must bring all original certificates:
- Valid Registration Certificate from the Odisha Nursing Council (must be valid on the date of online application submission).
- HSC examination certificate or equivalent 10+2 pass certificate.
- Diploma in GNM or Bachelor of Science (BSc) Nursing certificate and mark sheets.
- Proof of Odia language proficiency: certificate of passing Odia at Class-VII or above, or certificate of passing the M.E. School Standard Odia test.
- Caste certificate (for SC/ST/SEBC candidates) issued by the competent authority.
- UDID card and/or Disability Certificate issued by the Competent Authority showing not less than 40% permanent disability (for PwD candidates).
- Discharge Certificate and Identity Card from the defence service, along with supporting documents and a non-re-employment undertaking (for Ex-Servicemen).
- Proof of contractual employment under the OSH&FW Society/Scheme or ASHA, including appointment letters (for contractual Nursing Officers claiming age relaxation).
- Sports ID card issued by the Sports & Youth Services Department, Government of Odisha (for Sportsperson category claimants).
PwD candidates must present a Permanent Disability Certificate showing minimum 40% disability. Applicants with temporary or less-than-40% disability are ineligible.
What Happens After You Apply for OSSSC Nursing Officer Recruitment 2026
- Applications close on 20 July 2026.
- Written Test will be conducted as per the schedule to be announced by OSSSC; the exact date and shift details will be published on the official website.
- Answer keys and candidates’ responses will be displayed; candidates may raise objections if necessary within the specified window.
- Provisional Master Merit List will be prepared and published; candidates meeting the minimum qualifying marks will be shortlisted for Document Verification.
- District Level Boards will conduct Document Verification in each district; all original documents will be verified by the Chief District Medical & Public Health Officers.
- The provisional Select List will be published, listing candidates selected for appointment based on merit, availability, and district preference.
- Appointment letters will be issued, and selected candidates will report for duty as per official directives.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. What is the difference between Registration and Application Submission in OSSSC Nursing Officer Recruitment 2026?
Ans. Registration is the first step where you create an account, set a password, and upload your photograph and signature. Application Submission is the second step, where you log in with your registered credentials, fill out the detailed application form, select district preferences, upload the Nursing Council registration certificate, and pay the fee. Both steps must be completed by 20 July 2026 for your application to be considered. Completing registration alone does not mean your application is filed.
Q2. Can I change my district preference after submitting the application?
Ans. Once the application is submitted, you cannot change your district preferences online. If you need to modify your preferences, you must contact the OSSSC help desk immediately after submission during the application window. It is advisable to carefully review your district preference order before clicking Submit. The district you are allocated depends on your preferences and merit rank at the time of counselling.
Q3. What happens if I do not appear in the Written Test after paying the application fee?
Ans. The ₹500 fee will not be refunded if you do not appear in the Written Test, regardless of the reason. Only candidates who actually appear in the examination and clear the qualifying cutoff will have their fee refunded after attendance verification. Mark the test date on your calendar and plan accordingly.
Q4. Are there any restrictions on who can apply based on gender?
Ans. No gender-based restrictions apply to general recruitment. However, separate women category vacancies are advertised (UR-W, ST-W, SC-W, SEBC-W) for female candidates. Female candidates can compete in both the general (unreserved) category and the designated women category; you choose one option during application.
Q5. If I am a PwD candidate, can I avail of relaxation in both age and application fee?
Ans. Yes. PwD candidates with a Permanent Disability Certificate showing not less than 40% disability receive both age relaxation (10 years additional upper age limit) and exemption from the ₹500 application fee. If you also belong to SC, ST, or SEBC, you receive cumulative age relaxation totalling up to 15 years in addition to the reserved category relaxation, but only the single highest fee exemption.
Q6. Can I apply for this OSSSC Nursing Officer Recruitment if I have a GNM Diploma, but my Nursing Council registration has just expired?
Ans. No. Valid Odisha Nursing Council registration is a mandatory eligibility requirement and must be valid on the date you submit your online application (by 20 July 2026). If your registration has expired, renew it immediately with the Odisha Nursing Council before applying. You must upload the valid Registration or Renewal Certificate during the online application process.
Q7. What is the Written Test syllabus, and will it be the same for all candidates?
Ans. The syllabus covers 17 topics listed in Annexure-II of the official notification, including Anatomy & Physiology, Microbiology, Nursing Foundation, Medical Surgical Nursing (per BSc 2021 syllabus), Midwifery, Research & Statistics, and Nursing Administration. The syllabus is identical for all candidates regardless of category. The test also includes practical skills questions, arithmetic, and English at the HSC level.
Q8. How will the merit list be prepared if the Written Test is conducted in multiple shifts (Computer-Based mode)?
Ans. If the test is conducted in Computer-Based mode across different dates and shifts, a normalisation formula will be applied to convert raw scores to normalised scores. This ensures fairness by accounting for minor variations in question difficulty across different test sessions. The merit list is prepared based on these normalised scores, not raw marks.
