Odisha Police Constable Exam Pattern 2026: Written Exam, PET and Merit

The Odisha Police Constable exam pattern for 2026 is set by the Odisha Uniformed Services Staff Selection Commission (OUSSSC) under Advertisement No. 01-CRE-2026/OUSSSC. Constable (Civil) and Constable OISF candidates take one common written exam of 100 objective questions in 120 minutes, followed by a qualifying Physical Measurement (PM) and Physical Efficiency Test (PET), a medical examination and document verification.

This page explains each stage in detail: the structure of the common paper, the special papers for Constable (Communication) and the driver posts, the marking scheme and negative marking, the physical standards, bonus marks and how the final merit list is built. It also turns the numbers into a practical exam-day plan. Because this is the first combined exam under OUSSSC, several older pages show a pattern that no longer applies.

Table of Contents

Odisha Police Constable Exam Pattern 2026 at a Glance

There is no interview or viva-voce. The written score, plus any eligible bonus marks, decides your rank.

Post-wise Selection Stages

All constable posts in the advertisement share the common written exam, but the later stages differ slightly by post. The table below shows what each constable post goes through.

The PM and PET standards below are those reported for constable posts in the advertisement. If you apply for more than one post, check the advertisement for any post-specific standard, because one application can be considered for several posts.

Common Written Exam Pattern

Every applicant, whatever posts they applied for, sits the common written exam. For Constable (Civil) and Constable OISF, it is the only written paper.

Is there a subject-wise split?

The advertisement names the five subject areas but, in the material we reviewed, does not fix how many questions come from each. Do not rely on pages that show a fixed split of 25 marks each for four subjects; that reflects an older format without computer literacy. Prepare all five areas and use full-length mocks to find your own balance.

What each area tests

These question types are drawn from the subject areas in the advertisement and from earlier Odisha state-level papers. For the full topic list, see the syllabus page.

Mode of the exam

The exam mode (computer-based or OMR-based) and the exam date will be confirmed through the admit card and notices on the OUSSSC website. The pattern of questions and marks stays the same in either mode, so your preparation does not change.

Special Papers for Communication and Driver Posts

Some posts in the same advertisement have an extra paper. If you applied only for Constable (Civil) or Constable OISF, you can skip this section.

Driver posts also include a practical driving test before final selection.

Marking Scheme and Negative Marking

In the common paper, a correct answer earns 1 mark, a wrong answer costs 0.25 marks and an unattempted question earns nothing and loses nothing.

Worked example

Candidate B attempted 12 fewer questions but scored 5.5 marks more. With a deduction of one quarter, random guessing on a four-option question is roughly break-even, while a wrong guess on a question you have not read properly is a pure loss.

What the Pattern Means for You

• Every mark carries equal weight: A one-line computer question is worth the same as a long arithmetic problem. Clear the quick questions first.

• Guess only after elimination: If you can rule out two options, a guess has a good expected return. If you cannot rule out any, leave it.

• The written paper is the real competition: PM and PET are pass or fail, so rank is decided almost entirely by the written score and bonus marks.

• Accuracy beats attempts: Aim for 85 to 90 percent accuracy in mocks before you push the number of attempts higher.

Physical Measurement and Physical Efficiency Test

Candidates are shortlisted for the physical stage on the basis of written merit. About seven times the category-wise vacancies are reported to be called. Both PM and PET are qualifying.

How shortlisting at about seven times works

The ratio of about seven candidates per vacancy is as reported from the advertisement; confirm it when the written result is published. Here is how it would work in practice:

These are simple multiplications, not official shortlist numbers. Actual figures can differ because vacancies are district-wise, because of sub-reservations for women, ex-servicemen, sportspersons and ex-Agniveers, and because of ties at the last rank. The point for you is simple: a candidate needs a written score inside the top band of their category to reach the physical stage at all.

Physical Measurement standards

Physical Efficiency Test events

Failing any one event within the time or attempts allowed leads to disqualification. Ex-Agniveers are exempt from PET subject to the conditions in the advertisement. Firefighter and Firefighting Driver posts have additional events such as swimming and rope climbing.

Bonus Marks

Eligible candidates can add bonus marks to their written score. The claim must be made in the online application and proved at document verification.

The licence bonus applies only to the posts named in the advertisement, which include Constable (Civil) and Constable OISF. Check the advertisement for the exact rule on combining NCC and licence bonuses.

Final Merit Calculation

The final merit list is prepared category-wise from the written score plus eligible bonus marks, among candidates who cleared PM, PET, the medical examination and document verification.

Example

1. Written score: 72 correct and 12 wrong gives 72 minus 3, which is 69 marks.

2. Bonus: An NCC B certificate adds 2 marks, giving 71.

3. Physical stage: The candidate clears PM and PET. These add no marks.

4. Final merit score: 71, ranked against others in the same category and post.

The advertisement is reported to provide no reserve or waiting list, so candidates just below the last selected rank are not carried forward.

Time Management and Exam-day Strategy

With 120 minutes for 100 questions, you have about 72 seconds per question on average. Spend less on language and computer questions so that arithmetic gets more.

Section-wise time guide

The advertisement does not fix a subject-wise question count, so use these as practice targets and adjust them after your first few full-length mocks.

• Read every option: Language questions often have two close choices.

• Do not get stuck: If a question takes more than two minutes, mark it and move on.

• If the exam is OMR-based: Fill bubbles as you go, not at the end, and keep 5 minutes for a final check.

Key Changes and Older Pages

• Recruiting body: OUSSSC now conducts the exam. Earlier constable cycles were run by the Odisha Police State Selection Board.

• Computer literacy added: The common paper now includes Basic Computer Literacy.

• Physical events: The 2026 PET uses a 1.6 km run, long jump and shot put. Older pages may show high jump or different timings.

• Bonus marks: NCC and driving licence bonuses are part of the merit calculation for eligible posts.

Older pages may still show the earlier pattern, so follow the 2026 OUSSSC advertisement and later official notices.

Official OUSSSC website: https://ousssc.odisha.gov.in/