OPSC OMAS Cut Off: How It Works and How to Set Your Target

The OPSC OMAS cut-off is the minimum score a candidate needs, in their category, to move to the next stage or to be recommended for the Odisha Municipal Administrative Service. Odisha Public Service Commission sets two practical cut-offs: a written cut-off for shortlisting to the viva voce, and a final cut-off based on written plus viva voce marks. Both are category-wise.

For the latest completed cycle (OMAS-2021, Advertisement No. 06 of 2022-23, 27 posts), OPSC released the cut-off marks along with the final answer key in March 2024. Category-wise figures are not reproduced here because we could not verify them against the official notice. This page explains how the cut-off works, where to find the official marks, and how to set a target score.

How the OPSC OMAS cut-off works

OPSC calls only a limited number of candidates in each category to the viva voce, in order of written merit. The written cut-off is therefore the score of the last candidate called in that category, not a fixed pass mark.

Previous cut-off: where to find it

To see the official figures, open the OPSC results page and look for the OMAS-2021 cut-off and answer key notice. Unofficial pages that quote "expected" OMAS cut-offs are guesses, not OPSC data.

What affects the cut-off

• Vacancies: OMAS has few posts per cycle, and some categories may have only one or two seats. Small numbers make the cut-off sensitive to a handful of strong candidates.

• Paper difficulty: A tougher Paper II in particular lowers the cut-off, because aptitude scores spread widely.

• Number of applicants: The exam is open to graduates of any stream, so competition is broad.

• Negative marking: With one-fourth of the marks deducted per wrong answer, careless guessing pulls scores down and shifts the cut-off.

Trend

OMAS is recruited in irregular cycles with a small number of posts, so there is no reliable year-on-year trend to project. The 2025 rise in the general upper age limit to 42 years may widen the applicant pool in the next cycle, which can push competition up. Treat any trend claim you see online with caution until OPSC publishes the next official cut-off.

How to set your target

Cut-offs change every year with difficulty, vacancies and the number of applicants. Treat last year's figures as a benchmark only, and aim for a clear margin above them rather than a bare pass.

• Aim high on the written test: The written test carries 400 of 450 marks, so build your margin there. The viva voce can rarely rescue a weak written score.

• Balance both papers: Do not depend on one paper. Target steady scores in both Paper I and Paper II.

• Use mocks to benchmark: Testkart mock tests give section-wise scores, which show which paper is holding your total back. Track your net score after negative marking across several full-length mocks, not a single high score.