Official Notification Summary: The Odisha Staff Selection Commission (OSSC) has officially announced the examination date for the Preliminary Examination (CBRE Mode) for the Combined Technical Services Recruitment Examination (CTSRE)-2025 vide Notice No. IIE-92/2025-3626/OSSC dated 28.09.2026. Pursuant to Advertisement No. 5925/OSSC dated 30.12.2025 and Corrigendum Notice No. 1810/OSSC dated 30.05.2026, the Stage-I Preliminary Examination will be conducted across Odisha on 26th October 2026 (Monday) in Computer Based Recruitment Examination (CBRE) mode. The test comprises 150 questions for 150 marks with a total duration of 150 minutes (2.5 hours) and a negative marking penalty of 0.25 marks for each incorrect answer. Eligible candidates can download their official Admission Letter (Admit Card) from Click Here to Visit Official Website from 16th October 2026 onwards using their User ID and Password. PwD candidates requiring scribe assistance must submit their prescribed applications by 20th October 2026. Check the complete syllabus distribution, exam pattern, scribe instructions, and admission letter download steps detailed below.
| OSSC CTSRE 2025/2026: Preliminary Exam & Notification Overview | |
|---|---|
| Recruiting Authority | Odisha Staff Selection Commission (OSSC), Govt. of Odisha |
| Recruitment Name | Combined Technical Services Recruitment Examination (CTSRE)-2025 |
| Advertisement Reference | Advertisement No. IIE-92/2025/5925/OSSC & Corrigendum No. 1810/OSSC |
| Official Exam Notice Number | Notice No. IIE-92/2025-3626/OSSC (Dated 28.09.2026) |
| Posts Covered | Junior Engineer (Civil), Tracer, Junior Draughtsman, Architectural Assistant, Cameraman, Photographer, and other Technical Cadres |
| Total Notified Vacancies | 646+ Group-B and Group-C Technical Posts |
| Examination Stage | Stage-I: Preliminary Examination (CBRE Mode – Objective MCQs) |
| Preliminary Examination Date | 26th October 2026 (Monday) |
| Admission Letter Release Date | 16th October 2026 Onwards |
| Last Date for Scribe Request | 20th October 2026 (via email to ossc.od@nic.in) |
| Total Questions & Marks | 150 Questions – 150 Marks (1 Mark each) |
| Examination Duration | 150 Minutes (2 Hours 30 Minutes) |
| Negative Marking | 0.25 Marks deducted for each wrong answer |
| Compensatory Time for PwD | 20 minutes per hour for eligible candidates with scribe assistance |
| Medium of Examination | Bilingual (Both English and Odia) |
| Subsequent Stage | Stage-II Main Written Examination (Technical Papers – 200 Marks) |
| Official Commission Portal | Click Here to Visit Official Portal |
1. OSSC CTSRE Prelims Exam Pattern 2026 & Detailed Marks Scheme
As notified under Advertisement No. 5925/OSSC and confirmed in Notice No. 3626/OSSC dated 28.09.2026, the Stage-I Preliminary Examination is an objective Computer Based Recruitment Examination (CBRE) designed to screen candidates for the subsequent technical Mains exam. The test consists of 150 questions for 150 marks with a total testing time of 150 minutes (2 Hours 30 Minutes). A deduction of 0.25 marks is applicable for every incorrect answer:
- Arithmetic (10th Standard Level): Evaluates fundamental numerical calculation concepts including Number Systems, Fractions, Decimals, HCF & LCM, Percentages, Ratio and Proportion, Averages, Simple & Compound Interest, Profit and Loss, and Time, Speed & Work.
- Data Interpretation (10th Standard Level): Focuses on analytical interpretation of Bar Graphs, Pie Charts, Tables, Line Graphs, and Data Sufficiency problems.
- Logical Reasoning, Analytical Ability & General Mental Ability: Evaluates Verbal and Non-Verbal reasoning, Analogies, Number and Alphabet Series, Direction Sense, Coding-Decoding, Blood Relations, and Spatial Reasoning.
- Current Events of National and International Importance: Covers key national policies, state schemes of Odisha, science and technology updates, sports tournaments, awards, and global affairs.
- Computer & Internet Awareness: Focuses on computer hardware, operating system basics, MS Office productivity tools (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), cyber security fundamentals, and internet usage.
| Preliminary Exam Component | Question Type | Total Marks | Marking Scheme & Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arithmetic (10th Standard) | Objective Multiple Choice (MCQ) – CBRE Mode | 150 Questions (150 Marks) |
+1.0 Mark for each correct answer -0.25 Mark for each wrong answer Duration: 150 Minutes (2.5 Hours) Compensatory: +20 mins/hr for eligible PwD |
| Data Interpretation (Charts, Graphs, Tables) | |||
| Logical Reasoning & General Mental Ability | |||
| Current Events (National & International) | |||
| Computer & Internet Awareness | |||
| Grand Total (Stage-I Prelims Paper) | Single Composite Paper | 150 Marks | Language: Odia & English |
2. OSSC CTSRE Exam Programme & Important Dates (Notice Dated 28.09.2026)
Pursuant to Notice No. 3626/OSSC dated 28.09.2026, the examination programme and crucial milestone dates for CTSRE-2025 are finalized as follows:
| Event / Milestone | Scheduled Date / Timeline | Instructions & Action Required |
|---|---|---|
| Release of Official Exam Notice | 28th September 2026 | Published under Notice No. IIE-92/2025-3626/OSSC. |
| Admission Letter (Admit Card) Download | 16th October 2026 Onwards | Candidates must log in using User ID & Password to download the hall ticket. |
| Deadline for PwD Scribe Permission | 20th October 2026 | Send prescribed Appendix-I and Appendix-II along with documents to ossc.od@nic.in. |
| Stage-I Preliminary Examination Date | 26th October 2026 (Monday) | CBRE mode across certified test centers throughout Odisha. |
Mandatory Scribe Permission Protocol for PwD Candidates:
PwD candidates who opted for scribe assistance in their online application must apply strictly in the prescribed format (Appendix-I: Medical certificate regarding physical limitation to write, and Appendix-II: Letter of undertaking for using own scribe) as per Resolution No. 1843/SSEPD dated 25th February 2021.
Completed documents along with the downloaded Admission Letter must be emailed exclusively to ossc.od@nic.in on or before 20.10.2026. No request received after 20.10.2026 or through any other mode will be entertained. Under no circumstances will a candidate be permitted to use a scribe without prior written permission from the Commission.
3. Step-by-Step Guide to Download OSSC CTSRE Admission Letter 2026
The Commission will activate the candidate download link on 16th October 2026 onwards. Follow these simple steps to obtain your hall ticket without portal issues:
Step 1: Open the Official OSSC Portal
Visit the official website of the Odisha Staff Selection Commission by clicking (Click Here to Visit Official Portal).
Step 2: Navigate to Candidate Login
Click on the "Candidate Login" button located at the top-right corner of the homepage.
Step 3: Enter Your User Credentials
Enter your registered User ID / Username / Mobile Number and Password, input the captcha code, and click "Login".
Step 4: Download Admission Letter PDF
Click on the link titled "Download Admission Letter for Combined Technical Services Recruitment Examination (CTSRE)-2025". Save the PDF document and take at least 2 clear printouts on A4 paper for exam day verification.
4. Mandatory OSSC Exam Guidelines, Required Documents & Test Hall Rules
The Commission enforces strict identity verification protocols at all designated CBRE testing centers across Odisha:
- Printed copy of the official OSSC CTSRE Admission Letter.
- Two recent passport-size color photographs matching your application.
- Original Valid Photo Identity Proof (Aadhaar Card, e-Aadhaar with QR code, Voter ID, Driving License, PAN Card, or Passport). If the photo ID does not show your complete Date of Birth, carry an additional original certificate (such as your 10th HSC certificate) showing your DOB.
- Written permission letter issued by the Commission (for PwD candidates utilizing scribe assistance).
Mobile phones, Bluetooth earphones, smart watches, calculators, digital bands, pens, loose paper sheets, metallic jewelry, wallets, and bags are strictly barred inside the testing lab. Test venues do not provide guaranteed storage lockers.
5. OSSC CTSRE Selection Process & Shortlisting Framework
The recruitment framework under Advertisement No. 5925/OSSC is conducted through three statutory stages:
| Recruitment Stage | Evaluation Scheme | Total Marks | Shortlisting Ratio & Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stage-I: Preliminary Exam | CBRE Mode – Objective Multiple Choice | 150 Marks (150 Qs) | Qualifying screening test to shortlist candidates for Mains (approx. 5 times vacancies). |
| Stage-II: Main Written Exam | Technical Subject Papers as per educational post | 200 Marks | Marks scored in Stage-II determine the core ranking for Certificate Verification. |
| Stage-III: Certificate Verification | Scrutiny of original documents and eligibility | Qualifying | Final merit list is prepared on the basis of marks secured in Main Written Exam. |
| Normalisation Formula: The Commission adopts the standard normalisation formula published vide Notice No. 2444/OSSC dated 02.09.2021 for processing multi-shift CBRE test scores. | |||
6. Official Direct Access Links
| Official Resource | Direct Access Link |
|---|---|
| OSSC CTSRE Prelims Exam Date Notice (28.09.2026) | Click Here to Download Official Notice PDF |
| OSSC Candidate Login & Admit Card Portal | Click Here to Login & Download Admission Letter |
| OSSC Official Website Homepage | Click Here to Visit Official Portal |
| CBT Rank Score Calculator & Rank Predictor | Click Here to Visit CBTRank |
7. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) – OSSC CTSRE Prelims 2026
Download OSSC CTSRE Admission Letter 2026
Direct access to candidate login on the official OSSC portal for Advertisement No. 5925/OSSC (CTSRE-2025).
Download OSSC CTSRE Admission Letter