OSSC CGL Specialist Exam Pattern, Eligibility
152 topics across 5 subjects. Every question carries a written explanation.
CGL Specialist is the OSSC exam for Group-B and Group-C posts that need a particular subject degree, such as Food Safety Officer, Senior Economic Investigator, Librarian or Inspector of Legal Metrology. It is separate from the general CGLRE, and its own rules are the Combined Graduate Level Recruitment Examination for Group-B and Group-C Specialist Posts and Services Rules, 2022.
The latest cycle is CGLRE Specialist-2025 (Advt. No. 5919/OSSC, dated 30 December 2025, detailed advertisement released 20 May 2026): 199 vacancies across 16 posts, 52 of them for women.
Last checked against the official notification on .
OSSC CGL Specialist Details
Exam Pattern
| Stage | Details |
|---|---|
| Preliminary | One paper, CBRE or OMR, 150 questions, 150 marks, 2.5 hours, 0.25 negative mark. Five times the vacancies go on to Main. |
| Main (technical paper) | One paper, 100 questions, 200 marks, 2.5 hours, 0.5 negative mark. Senior Economic Investigator candidates choose one of 13 subjects on the form. |
| Computer Skill Test | Qualifying, 50 per cent. Not needed for Inspector of Legal Metrology, Laboratory Assistant (FS&CW) and the two Junior Laboratory Assistant posts. |
| Certificate verification | About 1.5 times the vacancies, by Main exam marks. |
The papers are bilingual, Odia and English. Marks are normalised if there are several sessions.
Eligibility Criteria
Age is 21 to 42 years on 01.01.2025, with five years extra for SEBC, SC, ST and women and ten for PwD. You must read, write and speak Odia. Qualification depends on the post.
| Post | Qualification |
|---|---|
| Food Safety Officer | Degree in food technology, dairy technology, biotechnology, agriculture, oil technology, veterinary science, biochemistry or microbiology, or an MBBS or equivalent medical degree; or a master's or doctorate in those subjects. Computer knowledge. |
| Senior Economic Investigator | Honours degree or postgraduate degree in economics, applied or agricultural economics, commerce, mathematics, statistics, business administration, computer science or similar. Computer knowledge. |
| Senior Cost Assistant | ICWAI or ICMAI Intermediate |
| Inspector of Legal Metrology and Laboratory Assistant (FS&CW) | Science graduate with Physics, or a technology or engineering graduate; or an engineering diploma with three years of professional experience |
| Computer Programmer | B.Tech or B.E. in computer science or electronics and telecommunication, or MCA |
| Graphic Designer | Degree in fine or visual art plus a PG diploma in multimedia, animation or visual effects, with design skills |
The advertisement lists the other posts in the same table. Read your post's row in the PDF before applying.
Selection Process
Preliminary, Main technical paper, computer test where it applies, then document check. A candidate who is eligible for more than one post lists preferences, and the Commission allots one on merit and preference. If a category stays unfilled at verification, OSSC may call more candidates once from the merit order.
Salary
| Posts | Group | Pay level (ORSP 2017) |
|---|---|---|
| Food Safety Officer, Senior Economic Investigator, Senior Cost Assistant, Inspector of Legal Metrology, Laboratory Assistant (Legal Metrology), Computer Programmer, Graphic Designer, Librarians, Statistical Assistant | B | Level 9, Cell 1 |
| Junior Laboratory Assistant (State Food Testing Laboratory) | C | Level 8 |
| Market Intelligence Inspector, Assistant Embankment Inspector, Laboratory Assistant (Water Resources) | C | Level 7 |
| Scribe (I&PR) | C | Level 4 |
How to Apply
Online only through ossc.gov.in. Candidates other than SC, ST and PwD pay ₹500, which is refunded if they sit the first stage. The appointment is made against one post, and the options given on the form are final, so fill in only the posts you meet the requirements for on the closing date.
Important Dates
| Step | Start | End |
|---|---|---|
| Online registration | 09.06.2026 | 08.07.2026 |
| Submission of application form | 09.06.2026 | 11.07.2026 |
| Editing of form | 09.06.2026 | 14.07.2026 |
The indicative advertisement came on 30 December 2025 and the detailed one on 20 May 2026. A corrigendum followed on 28 July 2026. Exam dates are not in the advertisement; they come as notices on the OSSC site.
Official Links
- OSSC official site
- Advertisements (Advt. No. 5919, 20 May 2026 entry, and the 28 July 2026 corrigendum)
- Apply online
Frequently Asked Questions
How many vacancies are there?
199 in 16 posts. Food Safety Officer is the largest with 84, then Librarian in DIETs and BIETs with 30 and Assistant Embankment Inspector with 23.
Is there a computer test?
Yes for most posts, qualifying at 50 per cent. Four laboratory and metrology posts are exempt.
Is this the same as OSSC CGL?
No. CGL fills general posts under one rule set, and CGL Specialist fills subject-specific posts with a technical Main paper.
Computer Awareness (21)
- Computer Fundamentals
- MS Excel
- MS Office
- MS Powerpoint
- MS Word
- Computer Internet
- Computer System Architecture
- Computer Operating System
- Important File Extensions
- Important Abbreviations
- Keyboard Shortcuts
- History of Computers
- Computer Hardware and Software
- Input /Output Devices
- Memory Management
- Computer Languages
- Number System
- Logic Gates
- Computer Network
- Database Management System
- Computer Security
English Language (25)
- Synonyms
- Antonyms
- Double Synonyms
- Homonyms
- One Word Substitution
- Reading Comprehension
- Theme Detection
- Deriving Conclusions from Passages
- Sentence Completion
- Passage Completion
- Fill in the Blanks
- Spotting Errors
- Sentence Improvement
- Passage Correction
- Choose the Correct - Incorrect Sentence
- Reconstruction of Sentence
- Sentences Rearrangement
- Reconstruction of Paragraphs
- Rearrangement of Jumbled Parts
- Word Formation
- Idioms and Phrases
- Active-Passive voice
- Direct-Indirect Speech
- Transformation of Sentences
- Spelling Test
General Awareness / General Knowledge (GK) (23)
- Indian Politics
- Indian History
- Indian Economy
- Important Acts of the Parliament of India
- Honours and Awards
- Indian Geography
- Indian Culture
- World Geography
- Famous Places in India
- Famous Personalities
- Books and Authors
- Sports
- Days and Years
- Inventions
- Highest, Longest, Biggest, Largest, Deepest, Smallest of the World
- General Science
- World Currency
- Country Languages
- Technology
- Physics
- Chemistry
- Biology
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Quantitative Aptitude (49)
- Number System
- H.C.F. & L.C.M.
- Decimal Fractions
- Simplification
- Square Roots & Cube Roots
- Average
- Problems on Numbers
- Problems on Ages
- Surds & Indices
- Percentage
- Operations on Numbers
- Profit & Loss
- Ratio & Proportion
- Partnership
- Chain Rule
- Time & Work
- Pipes & Cistern
- Time & Distance
- Problems on Trains
- Boats & Streams
- Alligation or Mixture
- Simple Interest
- Compound Interest
- Logarithms
- Area
- Volume & Surface Areas
- Mensuration
- Races & Games of Skill
- Calendar
- Clocks
- Stocks & Shares
- Permutations & Combinations
- Probability
- True Discount
- Banker’s Discount
- Heights & Distances
- Odd Man Out & Series
- Algebra
- Divisibility Rules & Remainder Theorem
- Factorials & Power Cycles
- Progressions (A.P., G.P., H.P.)
- Work & Wages
- Set Theory / Venn Diagrams
- Geometry (Lines, Angles, Triangles, Polygons)
- Coordinate Geometry
- Data Interpretation
- Trigonometry
- Statistics (Mean, Median, Mode)
- Arithmetic Operations
Reasoning (34)
- Analogy
- Number Series
- Classification
- Series Completion
- Coding-Decoding
- Input Output
- Inequality
- Blood Relation
- Puzzle Test
- Sequential Output Tracing
- Direction Sense Test
- Linear Seating Arrangement
- Circular Seating Arrangement
- Alphabet Test
- Number, Ranking and Time Sequence Test
- Mathematical Operations
- Logical Sequence of Words
- Arithmetical Reasoning
- Inserting The Missing Character
- Data Sufficiency
- Decision Making
- Assertion and Reason
- Situation Reaction Test
- Verification of Truth of the Statement
- Letter and Symbol Series
- Logic
- Statement - Arguments
- Statement - Assumptions
- Statement - Courses of Action
- Syllogisms
- Statement - Conclusions
- Deriving Conclusions From Passages
- Theme Detection
- Question - Statements
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