OUSSSC Constable Exam Pattern 2026: Written Test, PET and Marks
Government Job Desk Team
6 min read
The Odisha Uniformed Services Staff Selection Commission (OUSSSC) will fill 7,268 posts of Constable, Firefighter and Driver through the Combined Uniformed Services (Below Graduate Level) Examination 2026. This article explains the written exam pattern, the physical tests, the driving test and how the final merit list is made, all based on the official Advertisement No. 01-CRE-2026/OUSSSC dated 23.10.2026.
OUSSSC Combined Uniformed Services Exam 2026 at a glance
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Advertisement | No. 01-CRE-2026/OUSSSC, dated 23.10.2026 |
| Total posts | 7,268 |
| Posts | Constable (Civil) 4,219, Constable OISF 2,212, Firefighter 317, Constable (Communication) 300, Driver PMT 154, Firefighting Driver 62, Traffic Constable 4 |
| Online application | 23.10.2026 (5 PM) to 12.11.2026 (10 PM); fee payment till 13.11.2026 (10 PM) |
| Common written exam | 100 MCQs, 100 marks, 120 minutes |
| Negative marking | Yes, one-fourth of the marks for a question (0.25 or 0.75) |
| Physical tests | PM and PET are qualifying only |
| Bonus marks | Driving licence (driving test) and NCC certificate |
| Exam date | Not announced yet; it will be given on the admit card |
Stages of the selection process
Section 14 of the advertisement lists four stages:
- Stage I – Written examination (a common paper for every post, plus a special paper for some posts)
- Stage II – Physical Measurement (PM), Physical Efficiency Test (PET) and Driving Test
- Stage III – Medical examination by the Medical Board
- Stage IV – Certificate and document verification
If you miss any one stage, your candidature ends (section 11.4).
Stage I: written exam pattern
(A) Common written exam – for all posts
This paper is set at the HSC (Class 10) standard.
| Subjects | Questions | Marks | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Odia language, English language, General Knowledge, Quantitative Aptitude and Reasoning, Basic Computer Literacy | 100 MCQs | 100 (1 mark each; 0.25 cut for each wrong answer) | 120 minutes |
(B) Special written exam – Constable (Communication) only
This paper is at the +2 Science standard.
| Subjects | Questions | Marks | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Physics, Computer Science | 100 MCQs | 300 (3 marks each; 0.75 cut for each wrong answer) | 120 minutes |
(C) Special written exam – Driver PMT and Firefighting Driver
| Subjects | Questions | Marks | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic knowledge of vehicles and their maintenance; Traffic signals, road safety and rules | 50 MCQs | 50 (1 mark each; 0.25 cut for each wrong answer) | 60 minutes |
Important rules for the written exam
- No marks are given or cut for questions you leave blank (section 14.3).
- All questions, except the language sections, will be in both Odia and English. If the two versions differ, the English version is final (section 14.4).
- The detailed indicative syllabus is in Annexure-I of the advertisement.
- If the exam is held as a CBT in more than one shift, OUSSSC will use a normalisation method and publish it on its website before the exam (section 11.3).
- Your response sheet and answer key will be shared. You can object to a question within 3 days by paying ₹200 per question online; the fee is refunded if the objection is accepted (section 15.7).
- About seven times the number of vacancies (category-wise) will be called for PM and PET, in order of written exam merit (sections 15.4 and 16.1).
Stage II: Physical Measurement (PM) – qualifying
| Category | Height | Weight | Chest (unexpanded / expanded) |
|---|---|---|---|
| UR and SEBC men | 168 cm | 55 kg | 79 cm / 84 cm |
| UR and SEBC women | 158 cm | 47.5 kg | Not applicable |
| SC and ST men | 163 cm | 50 kg | 76 cm / 81 cm |
| SC and ST women | 153 cm | 45 kg | Not applicable |
Group 'D' employees applying for Constable (Civil), Constable (Communication) or Driver PMT get a relaxation of 3 cm in height, 5 kg in weight and 2 cm in chest expansion, within their own category. Home Guards do not get this relaxation (sections 16.2 and 16.3).
Stage II: Physical Efficiency Test (PET) – qualifying
Only those who pass the PM can take the PET.
| Event | Men | Women |
|---|---|---|
| Running 1.6 km | 7 minutes | 9 minutes |
| Long jump | 3.66 m in 3 attempts | 2.75 m in 3 attempts |
| Shot put | 4 m (7.26 kg shot) in 3 attempts | 3 m (4 kg shot) in 3 attempts |
| Swimming (Firefighter and Firefighting Driver only) | 100 m in 8 minutes | Not applicable |
| Rope climbing (Firefighter only) | 6 m in 3 attempts | Not applicable |
| Load carrying (Firefighter only) | 63 kg sand bag for 100 m in 60 seconds | Not applicable |
- PM and PET are qualifying only. Your performance here does not add marks to the merit list, but failing any event within the time or attempts means disqualification (section 17.3).
- A medical team checks candidates on the spot before the PET, and candidates must submit a declaration (Annexure-E).
- Requests to change PM/PET dates will not be accepted.
- Ex-Agniveers are exempted from the PET (section 17.8).
Driving test and bonus marks
Candidates for Constable (Civil), Constable OISF, Driver PMT and Firefighting Driver who hold a driving licence and pass the practical driving test get bonus marks (section 18.2):
- LMV licence: 3 marks
- HMV licence: 5 marks
Only candidates who pass the written exam, PM and PET, and who said in their application that they hold a valid licence, can take the driving test. The licence must be at least six months old (not counting the learning period) for Constable (Civil), Constable OISF and Driver PMT, and at least one year old for Firefighting Driver, counted before the advertisement date. Where a licence is compulsory, missing the driving test means disqualification (sections 18.3 and 18.4).
NCC bonus marks
NCC certificate holders get bonus marks added to their written exam score: 1 mark for 'A', 2 marks for 'B' and 3 marks for 'C' certificate. Only the highest certificate counts, and you must claim it in the online application form; it cannot be claimed later (section 20).
Medical exam, documents and final merit
Candidates who pass PM and PET face a medical examination by a District Medical Board. The advertisement mentions conditions such as knock knees, bow legs, flat feet, varicose veins, squint, poor vision, colour blindness and speech or hearing problems (section 19.1). After document verification, one common merit list is made from the written exam marks plus driving test marks plus NCC bonus marks. Posts are allotted category-wise according to the post preferences you give in the form. There will be no reserve or waiting list (section 22.1).
Preparation tips
These are general suggestions, not rules from the advertisement.
- Because wrong answers cost marks, answer only when you are fairly sure.
- Practise Odia and English grammar daily; the language sections are not bilingual.
- Start running and long-jump practice now. PET is pass/fail, so aim to clear each event with a margin.
- If you hold a driving licence or NCC certificate, mention it correctly in the form, since the bonus cannot be claimed later.
Frequently asked questions
Is there negative marking in the OUSSSC Constable exam 2026?
Yes. In the common paper and the driver paper, 0.25 mark is cut for each wrong answer. In the Constable (Communication) special paper, 0.75 mark is cut. Unanswered questions carry no penalty.
Do PET marks count in the final merit?
No. PM and PET are qualifying only. The merit list uses written exam marks plus driving test and NCC bonus marks where applicable.
Which candidates write the special papers?
The Physics and Computer Science paper is for Constable (Communication). The vehicle and traffic rules paper is for Driver PMT and Firefighting Driver. The common paper is for all posts.
How many candidates will be called for the physical test?
About seven times the number of vacancies in each category, based on written exam merit. OUSSSC may call more if not enough candidates qualify.
When is the written exam?
The advertisement does not give a date. The date, time and venue will be printed on the admit card, and candidates will be informed by SMS and e-mail.
See full eligibility, vacancy and apply-online details on our job page: OUSSSC Constable, Firefighter & Driver Recruitment 2026 – 7,268 Posts. Always confirm every detail in the official advertisement on ousssc.odisha.gov.in before you apply.