The Odisha Public Service Commission (OPSC) has announced the postponement of the Odisha Civil Services (OCS) Preliminary Examination 2023 due to the impending cyclonic storm ‘DANA.’
Originally slated for October 27, 2024, the examination will be rescheduled, with the new date to be confirmed within the next seven days. This decision comes as a precautionary measure to ensure the safety of candidates and staff amid the forecasted severe weather conditions.
In an official notice, the OPSC stated, “In view of the impending cyclonic storm "DANA", the OCS Preliminary Examination-2023, pursuant to Advt. No. 20 of 2023-24 scheduled to be held on 27.10.2024, is hereby postponed. The next date of OCS Preliminary examination- 2023 shall be notified after 07 days.” The exam was set to take place across five zonal centres: Balasore, Berhampur, Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, and Sambalpur, with the allocation based on candidate distribution in those areas.
The OCS prelims examination consists of two compulsory General Studies papers, each carrying 200 marks and lasting two hours. Candidates should note that there will be negative marks for incorrect answers, and the marks obtained in the prelims will not count towards the final merit list for those qualifying for the main examination.
This year's OCS examination is significant, aiming to fill 399 vacancies across various state government departments. The registration period for candidates ran from January 18 to February 16, 2024. With the recent postponement, OPSC urges candidates to stay updated by checking their official website for the latest announcements regarding the examination date and any further instructions.
As the state prepares for the cyclonic storm, authorities emphasise safety and advise residents to take necessary precautions. The OPSC's decision reflects a broader commitment to candidate welfare amid unpredictable weather challenges.