Odisha CM Announces Unlimited Attempts For OPSC Civil Services Exam In a landmark announcement by Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Manjhi on Independence Day, candidates preparing for the Odisha Public Service Commission's (OPSC) Civil Services Examination will now receive “unlimited attempts” up to the maximum permissible age limit, irrespective of their categories. The latest move has brought major relief and excitement among aspirants who often feel helpless after running out of attempts. Currently, candidates from the General category can avail up to six attempts, while those belonging to the OBC category are allowed up to nine attempts. The SC and ST candidates, on the other hand, have an unlimited number of attempts, subject to the applicable upper age limit. However, according to the new rules, candidates across all categories can appear for the state’s civil services examination as many times as they are eligible until they reach the prescribed maximum age limit. The decision follows years of representations from civil service aspirants, who had been urging the authorities to announce relaxations in accordance with several other states. Though it was a major announcement, CM’s I-Day address was not limited to OPSC aspirants. He also underlined the state government’s extensive employment and development agenda. As per the announcement made, 26,000 recruitments have already been completed, while around 45,000 teachers are expected to be recruited in the forthcoming days. The government is also planning to build 2,200 residential schools, intended to strengthen educational infrastructure. In the healthcare sector, new medical colleges have been proposed in districts including Jajpur and Kandhamal, among others. These developments arrive as the state gears up for a major push towards employment, education and healthcare in Odisha. For thousands of OPSC aspirants, the “unlimited attempt” decision is going to be the biggest takeaway, allowing them multiple opportunities to qualify for the test and realise their dream of becoming civil servants. Satish Kumar Dash is a reporter from Odisha with 5 years of journalism experience, including 2.5 years at Times Now Navbharat.