Odisha Cabinet Approves 3 Key Amendments to Recruitment Rules for Govt Posts

The meeting, held at the conference hall of Lok Seva Bhawan, focused on amending rules for combined recruitment examinations to include new posts and enhance efficiency in hiring for various Group-B and Group-C positions.

Additional Chief Secretary Surendra Kumar briefed the media on the decisions post-meeting. The amendments aim to expand the scope of recruitment exams conducted by the Odisha Staff Selection Commission (OSSC), ensuring a more comprehensive and timely filling of vacancies across departments.

The first amendment pertains to the Combined Graduate Level Recruitment Examination for Group-B and Group-C Specialist Posts and Services Rules, 2022. Previously, the schedule included 29 posts. Under the new provisions, as outlined in Rule 3, 14 new posts will be added, while four existing ones (serial numbers 10, 14, 15, and 17) will be excluded. This revision will allow OSSC to conduct combined exams for the updated list, promoting uniformity and reducing administrative burdens.

In second, the Combined Graduate Level Recruitment Examination for Group B and Group C of different State Cadre Posts or Services Rules, 2022, has been modified. The original schedule covered 20 posts, and now four additional posts will be incorporated, bringing the total to 24. Furthermore, a key change to Rule-5(b) permits OSSC to issue a second advertisement in the same calendar year if additional requisitions are received from departments after the initial one. This flexibility is expected to accelerate recruitment and address emerging vacancies promptly.

The third amendment involves the Combined Higher Secondary (10+2) Level or Equivalent Recruitment Examination for Specialist Posts or Services Rules, 2022. The schedule, which earlier listed 11 posts, will now include one more: the Junior Forensic Attendant under the State Forensic Science Laboratory (SFSL) of the Home Department. This brings the total to 12 posts, all to be recruited through combined exams by OSSC.

These decisions reflect the government’s commitment to modernising recruitment frameworks, ensuring merit-based selections, and filling critical positions in specialist and state cadre services. Officials believe the changes will benefit job aspirants by consolidating exams and potentially increasing opportunities in a single recruitment cycle.