OPSC ASO Exam Pattern and Syllabus 2025: The Odisha Public Service Commission (OPSC) has officially released the notification for the Assistant Section Officer (ASO) Recruitment 2025 . A total of 29 vacancies have been announced for the post of Assistant Section Officer (Group-B) in the Office of the Advocate General, Odisha, Cuttack.
If you’re one of the aspirants planning to apply for this prestigious state government position, it’s essential to understand the OPSC ASO exam pattern and selection process thoroughly. This article in the recruitment process, including the written exam structure, skill test, marking scheme, qualifying criteria, and final selection method.
Overview of OPSC ASO Recruitment 2025
- Post Name: Assistant Section Officer (Group-B)
- Organization: Odisha Public Service Commission (OPSC)
- Department: Office of the Advocate General, Odisha
- Vacancies: 29
- Job Type: State Government (Group-B, Non-Gazetted)
- Selection Process: Written Test + Skill Test
- Official Website: www.opsc.gov.in
OPSC ASO Selection Process 2025
The OPSC ASO 2025 selection process comprises two main stages:
- Written Examination (Objective Type – MCQs)
- Skill Test in Computer Application (Practical)
The final selection is based on the marks obtained in the written examination. The Skill Test is of qualifying nature and does not carry weightage in the final merit list. Let’s explore each stage in detail.
Also Read: OPSC ASO Recruitment 2025 Notification Out for 29 Group B Posts – Apply Online at opsc.gov.in
Stage 1: Written Examination
The written examination is objective in nature and carries 400 marks in total. It consists of three papers, conducted in a Multiple-Choice Questions (MCQ) format. The subjects, number of questions, marks, and duration are as follows:
Written Exam Pattern
| Paper | Subject | No. of Questions | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| I | General Awareness | 100 | 100 | 1.5 hours |
| II(A) | Reasoning and Mental Ability | 50 | 50 | |
| II(B) | Mathematics (10th standard level) | 50 | 50 | 1.5 hours |
| III(A) | English Language | 100 | 100 | |
| III(B) | Odia Language | 100 | 100 | 2 hours |
Note: Paper II consists of two parts – Reasoning and Mathematics – conducted in the same sitting.
Key Features of Written Test
- Type of Questions: Objective (MCQ)
- Total Marks: 400
- Negative Marking: Yes. 0.25 marks deducted for each wrong answer.
- Medium of Exam: English (except Odia paper)
Minimum Qualifying Marks
To qualify for the next stage (Skill Test), candidates must secure minimum marks in each paper as per the category:
- UR Category: 35%
- SC/ST/PWD Categories: 30%
- Ex-Servicemen: Same as their respective category
Candidates who do not secure the qualifying marks in any one of the papers will not be shortlisted for the Skill Test.
Stage 2: Skill Test in Computer Application (Practical)
Candidates who qualify the written examination will be shortlisted (in a ratio of 1.5 times the number of vacancies) for the Computer Practical Test. The skill test carries 50 marks and is qualifying in nature.
Skill Test Details
| Test Component | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Skill Test in Computer (Practical) | 50 | 1 hour |
- Microsoft Word
- Excel
- PowerPoint
- MS Access
- Internet usage and web browsing
- Basic file handling and data entry
Exam Syllabus
Here’s a quick look at some important topics under each paper:
General Awareness (Paper I):
- Current Affairs (National & International)
- Indian Constitution
- Geography of India & Odisha
- Indian Economy & Planning
- Environmental issues
- Freedom Movement & Indian History
Reasoning & Mental Ability (Paper II A):
- Number and Alphabet Series
- Direction Sense
- Coding-Decoding
- Age Problems
- Mirror Images, Cubes & Dice
Mathematics (Paper II B):
- Arithmetic (Basic calculations, Profit-Loss)
- Algebra (Equations, Expressions)
- Mensuration (Area, Volume)
- Statistics & Probability (Basic concepts)
English Language (Paper III A):
- Grammar (Tenses, Articles, Prepositions)
- Vocabulary (Synonyms & Antonyms)
- Reading Comprehension
- Sentence Rearrangement
Odia Language (Paper III B):
- Grammar, Comprehension, Translation
- Essay writing and letter drafting in Odia