The Odisha Public Service Commission (OPSC) has started the online application process for Assistant Public Prosecutor Recruitment 2026. Eligible candidates can now submit their applications for 172 Group-B Assistant Public Prosecutor posts in the Odisha State Prosecution Service under the Home Department, Government of Odisha.
The recruitment was announced through Advertisement No. 09 of 2026-27, issued on August 20, 2026. The online application window opened on August 28, 2026, and candidates can complete their applications until September 28, 2026, at 5:00 PM.
Applicants must hold a Bachelor’s Degree in Law and have at least two years of experience as a practising Advocate. The selection process consists of a Preliminary Examination, a Main Written Examination, and a Personality Test. The Preliminary Examination is tentatively scheduled for November 1, 2026.
Table of Contents
OPSC APP Recruitment 2026 Overview
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| Commission | Odisha Public Service Commission |
| Post | Assistant Public Prosecutor |
| Total Vacancies | 172 |
| Application Status | Application process started |
| Application Dates | August 28 to September 28, 2026 |
| Qualification | Bachelor’s Degree in Law |
| Experience | 2 years as a practising Advocate |
| Age Limit | 21 to 42 years |
| Pay Scale | ₹44,900, Level-10 |
| Selection Process | Prelims, Mains and Personality Test |
The OPSC APP application form is now available online. Candidates who meet the prescribed legal qualification, Bar Council enrolment, and advocacy experience requirements should complete the registration process well before the September 28 deadline.
Vacancy Details
OPSC has notified a total of 172 Assistant Public Prosecutor vacancies, of which 58 are reserved for women candidates.
| Category | Total Vacancies | Reserved for Women |
|---|---|---|
| UR | 86 | 29 |
| SEBC | 23 | 8 |
| SC | 27 | 9 |
| ST | 36 | 12 |
| Total | 172 | 58 |
Apart from the vertical category-wise reservation, horizontal reservation is also available for eligible candidates.
| Special Category | Vacancies |
|---|---|
| Ex-Servicemen | 9 |
| Sports Persons | 2 |
| Persons with Disabilities | 8 |
These horizontally reserved vacancies are adjusted against the respective social categories and are not additional to the total 172 posts.
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification Released | August 20, 2026 |
| Online Application Started | August 28, 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply | September 28, 2026 |
| Application Closing Time | 5:00 PM |
| Preliminary Examination | November 1, 2026 – Tentative |
| Main Examination | To be announced |
| Personality Test | To be announced |
Candidates should note that the November 1 Preliminary Examination date is tentative. OPSC will issue the detailed examination programme separately.
Eligibility Criteria
The Assistant Public Prosecutor recruitment is specifically intended for candidates who already possess professional legal practice experience.
Educational Qualification
Candidates must have a Bachelor’s Degree in Law from a recognised university.
In addition, the applicant must possess a valid Certificate of Enrolment under the Bar Council of India or the concerned State Bar Council.
Two Years of Advocate Practice Mandatory
Candidates must have completed at least two years of experience as a practising Advocate.
The professional experience must be supported by a certificate issued by the concerned District and Sessions Judge in the prescribed format.
This means candidates who have recently completed their LLB but do not have the required advocacy experience are not eligible for the recruitment.
Odia Language Requirement
Candidates should be able to read, write and speak Odia.
They should also have satisfied the prescribed Odia language qualification, such as passing Odia as a subject at the Matriculation level or completing the prescribed Middle School standard language test conducted by the competent authority.
Age Limit
Candidates must have attained the age of 21 years and should not be above 42 years as on January 1, 2026.
| Category | Age Relaxation |
|---|---|
| UR | No relaxation |
| SEBC | 5 years |
| SC | 5 years |
| ST | 5 years |
| Women | 5 years |
| Ex-Servicemen | 5 years, subject to rules |
| PwD | 10 years |
Candidates eligible under more than one relaxation category should check the exact cumulative relaxation provisions in the notification before applying.
Application Fee
Candidates required to pay the examination fee must deposit ₹700 via the online payment facility.
| Category | Application/Examination Fee |
|---|---|
| General and other non-exempt candidates | ₹700 |
| SC of Odisha | Nil |
| ST of Odisha | Nil |
| PwD candidates | Nil |
The notification also provides for a refund of the ₹700 examination fee to eligible fee-paying candidates who actually appear in the Preliminary Examination, subject to the prescribed conditions.
Candidates should therefore not assume that merely submitting the form makes the examination fee refundable.
Selection Process
The recruitment process consists of three stages:
- Preliminary Examination
- Main Written Examination
- Personality Test/Interview
The Preliminary Examination is only a screening stage. Its marks will not be added to the final merit score.
Preliminary Examination Pattern
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| Type | Objective MCQ |
| Questions | 100 |
| Marks | 100 |
| Duration | 2 hours |
| Marks per Question | 1 |
| Negative Marking | 25% per incorrect answer |
| Role in Final Merit | Screening only |
For each incorrect answer, 25% of the marks assigned to that question will be deducted. No marks will be deducted for unattempted questions.
Candidates qualifying the Preliminary Examination may be shortlisted for the Main Written Examination up to the prescribed multiple of category-wise vacancies.
Main Examination Pattern
The Main Written Examination will be subjective and descriptive, consisting of four papers, each carrying 150 marks.
| Paper | Subject | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper I | General English | 150 | 2½ hours |
| Paper II | Criminal Major Laws | 150 | 3 hours |
| Paper III | Criminal Minor Laws | 150 | 3 hours |
| Paper IV | Miscellaneous Laws | 150 | 3 hours |
| Total | 600 |
The Commission will prescribe qualifying standards for the written examination.
Candidates who qualify the Main Written Examination will be shortlisted for the Personality Test, generally at a 1:2 ratio to category-wise vacancies, subject to the conditions prescribed by OPSC.
Personality Test and Final Merit
The Personality Test/Interview carries 50 marks.
The final merit list will therefore be prepared out of:
- Main Written Examination: 600 marks
- Personality Test: 50 marks
- Total marks for final merit: 650 marks
The 100 marks obtained in the Preliminary Examination will not be counted for final selection.
Where candidates obtain the same aggregate marks, preference will be given to the candidate who secures higher marks in the written examination. If the tie continues, the older candidate will be placed higher.
Preliminary Examination Syllabus
The Preliminary Examination is based broadly on the standard of the LLB course.
Major laws covered include:
- Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973
- Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023
- Indian Penal Code, 1860
- Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023
- Indian Evidence Act, 1872
- Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, 2023
Candidates should prepare both the earlier criminal law provisions and the corresponding new criminal laws specified in the syllabus.
Salary
Candidates appointed as Assistant Public Prosecutor will receive a starting pay of ₹44,900 in Level-10 of the Pay Matrix under the ORSP Rules, 2017.
They will also be entitled to Dearness Allowance and other admissible allowances according to Odisha Government rules.
How to Apply for OPSC APP Recruitment 2026
The online application window will open on August 28, 2026.
Candidates can follow these steps:
- Visit the official OPSC website.
- Open the Assistant Public Prosecutor, Advt. No. 09 of 2026-27 recruitment notice.
- Select the online application option.
- Complete registration with the required personal information.
- Enter educational and Bar Council enrolment details.
- Provide details of the required advocacy experience.
- Upload the prescribed photograph, signature and certificates.
- Pay the ₹700 examination fee, if applicable.
- Carefully verify the application before final submission.
- Submit the form before September 28, 2026, at 5:00 PM.
- Save the final application form and registration details for future reference.
Candidates should ensure that their name and other details match the supporting certificates.
Documents Candidates Should Keep Ready
Applicants should keep the following documents available during the recruitment process:
- Law degree certificate and marksheets
- Date of birth proof
- Bar Council enrolment certificate
- Two-year practising Advocate experience certificate
- Odia language qualification certificate
- SC/ST/SEBC certificate, where applicable
- PwD certificate, where applicable
- Ex-Servicemen certificate, where applicable
- Sports certificate, if claiming a reservation
- Recent photograph
- Signature
- Identity proof
Candidates claiming reservation should ensure that their certificates meet the validity and format conditions prescribed by OPSC.
What Candidates Should Do Now
Since the OPSC APP Recruitment 2026 application process has started, eligible candidates should complete registration without waiting until the final day. The application window will remain open until September 28, 2026, at 5:00 PM.
Applicants should also begin preparing for the Preliminary Examination, tentatively scheduled for November 1, 2026, with particular focus on the criminal law covered in the notified syllabus.
