The Odisha Public Service Commission (OPSC) conducts the Odisha Administrative Service (OAS) examination to recruit candidates for prestigious administrative roles in the state government. Understanding the OPSC OAS syllabus in detail is crucial for effective preparation. In this article, we provide a detailed breakdown of the syllabus to help you streamline your study plan and maximize your chances of success.
Overview of the OPSC OAS Exam
The OPSC OAS examination is conducted in three stages:
- Preliminary Examination
- Main Examination
- Personality Test/Interview
Each stage has its own significance and requires a targeted approach. Let’s dive into the detailed syllabus for each stage.
OPSC OAS Preliminary Examination
The Preliminary Examination is the first stage and comprises two papers:
| Paper | Subjects | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper I | General Studies I | 200 | 2 hours |
| Paper II | General Studies II | 200 | 2 hours |
Key Points:
- Both papers are objective-type (multiple-choice questions).
- Paper II is qualifying in nature; candidates must score a minimum of 33%.
Detailed Syllabus for Preliminary Examination
- General Studies Paper I:
- Current events of national and international importance.
- History of India and the Indian National Movement.
- Indian and World Geography – Physical, Social, and Economic aspects.
- Indian Polity and Governance – Constitution, Political System, Panchayati Raj, Public Policy, etc.
- Economic and Social Development – Sustainable Development, Poverty, Inclusion, Demographics, etc.
- General Issues on Environmental Ecology, Biodiversity, and Climate Change.
- General Science.
- General Studies Paper II:
- Comprehension.
- Interpersonal Skills including Communication Skills.
- Logical Reasoning and Analytical Ability.
- Decision Making and Problem Solving.
- General Mental Ability.
- Basic Numeracy (Class X level) – Numbers, Averages, Percentages, Ratio and Proportion, etc.
- Data Interpretation (Class X level) – Charts, Graphs, and Tables.
OPSC OAS Main Examination
The Main Examination is a written test consisting of nine papers. Of these, two papers are qualifying in nature, while the others contribute to the final merit.
| Paper | Subjects | Marks | Type |
| Paper I | Odia Language | 300 | Qualifying |
| Paper II | English Language | 300 | Qualifying |
| Paper III | Essay | 200 | Merit |
| Paper IV | General Studies I | 200 | Merit |
| Paper V | General Studies II | 200 | Merit |
| Paper VI | General Studies III | 200 | Merit |
| Paper VII | General Studies IV | 200 | Merit |
| Paper VIII & IX | Optional Subject (2 papers) | 300 each | Merit |
Detailed Syllabus for Main Examination
- Qualifying Papers:
- Odia and English Language:
- Comprehension of passages.
- Precis writing.
- Usage and vocabulary.
- Short essays.
- Translation from English to Odia and vice versa.
- Odia and English Language:
- Essay Paper:
- Candidates are required to write essays on specific topics.
- Topics are usually related to current affairs, social issues, or developmental challenges.
- General Studies Papers:
- Paper I (Indian Heritage and Culture, History, and Geography):
- Salient aspects of Indian culture.
- Modern Indian history and significant events.
- Post-independence consolidation.
- Physical and economic geography of India and the world.
- Paper II (Governance, Constitution, Polity, and International Relations):
- Indian Constitution and its features.
- Role of civil services in democracy.
- India’s foreign policy and international relations.
- Paper III (Economic Development, Technology, Biodiversity):
- Indian economy – planning, growth, and development.
- Science and technology developments.
- Biodiversity and environmental issues.
- Paper IV (Ethics, Integrity, and Aptitude):
- Ethics and human interface.
- Emotional intelligence.
- Public/Civil service values and integrity.
- Probity in governance.
- Paper I (Indian Heritage and Culture, History, and Geography):
- Optional Subject Papers:
- Candidates are required to select one optional subject. The optional subject consists of two papers, each carrying 300 marks.
- The list of optional subjects includes:
- Agriculture
- Anthropology
- Botany
- Chemistry
- Commerce and Accountancy
- Economics
- Education
- Electrical Engineering
- Geography
- Geology
- History
- Law
- Management
- Mathematics
- Mechanical Engineering
- Medical Science
- Philosophy
- Physics
- Political Science and International Relations
- Psychology
- Public Administration
- Sociology
- Statistics
- Zoology
- Literature of any one of the following languages: Odia, Hindi, Sanskrit, Urdu, and English.
- The choice of the optional subject should align with the candidate’s academic background and interest. It is essential to prepare thoroughly for the chosen subject as it plays a significant role in determining the final merit.
OPSC OAS Personality Test/Interview
The final stage of OPSC OAS is the Personality Test or Interview, carrying 250 marks. This stage evaluates:
- Candidate’s personality and suitability for administrative roles.
- Communication skills, leadership qualities, and ethical grounding.
- Awareness of current affairs and general knowledge.
Tips to Prepare for OPSC OAS Examination
- Understand the Syllabus: Familiarize yourself thoroughly with each topic mentioned in the syllabus.
- Follow a Study Schedule: Allocate specific time for each section to ensure balanced preparation.
- Practice Mock Tests: Regularly attempt mock tests to improve speed and accuracy.
- Read Newspapers Daily: Stay updated with current events, especially those related to Odisha.
- Focus on Optional Subjects: Choose your optional subject wisely and prepare it thoroughly.
OPSC OAS Prelims Books
General Studies Paper (GS I)
- Indian Polity by M. Laxmikanth
- Indian Economy by Ramesh Singh
- Modern India by Bipin Chandra
- Indian Geography by Majid Husain
- General Science & Technology by Tata McGraw Hill (TMH)
- Environmental Ecology, Biodiversity, and Climate Change by Shankar IAS
- General Studies Manual by Arihant
OPSC OAS Mains Books
General Studies Papers
General Studies Paper I (Indian Heritage, History, and Geography)
- Indian Art and Culture by Nitin Singhania
- Ancient India by R.S. Sharma
- Geography of India by Majid Husain
General Studies Paper II (Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice)
- Indian Polity by M. Laxmikanth
- Public Administration by M. Laxmikanth
- Indian Constitution by Subhash Kashyap
General Studies Paper III (Technology, Economic Development, Environment, Security)
- Indian Economy by Ramesh Singh
- Geography of India by Majid Husain
- Environment & Ecology by Shankar IAS
General Studies Paper IV (Ethics, Integrity, and Aptitude)
- Ethics, Integrity, and Aptitude by Lexicon
- Ethics in Governance by the Government of India
Optional Subject Books
Geography
- Physical Geography by G.C. Leong
- Geography of India by Majid Husain
Anthropology
- Physical Anthropology by P.K. Naik
- Anthropology by V.K. Jain
Public Administration
- Public Administration by M. Laxmikanth
- Administrative Thinkers by Sharma and Sadana
Sociology
- Sociology by A.R. Desai
- Sociology by M.N. Srinivas
Political Science & International Relations
- Political Science by M. Laxmikanth
- An Introduction to the Constitution of India by D.D. Basu
History
- India’s Struggle for Independence by Bipin Chandra
- Modern India by Bipan Chandra
Additional Resources
- NCERT Books (Class 6-12) for building strong fundamentals in history, geography, polity, and economics.
- Previous Year Question Papers for understanding the exam pattern and practicing.
- Online Platforms (e.g., Insights on India, Vision IAS, Unacademy) for mock tests and video lectures.
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