OSSC CGL Exam Pattern 2026: Prelims, Mains, CST and Marking Scheme

The OSSC CGL exam pattern has three parts: a 150-mark preliminary exam for screening, a 200-mark main written exam that decides merit, and post-wise qualifying tests, the Computer Skill Test and the Mathematics Test. The Odisha Staff Selection Commission conducts all of them for the Combined Graduate Level Recruitment Examination (CGLRE), and every paper is objective with negative marking.

This page sets out the pattern used in CGLRE-2025 (Advertisement No. 5751/OSSC), what changed from earlier cycles, how marks turn into rank, and how to use your time in each paper. The mains timings come from the revised schedule notice as reported in July 2026, so confirm them with the next advertisement.

Table of Contents

OSSC CGL Exam Pattern at a Glance

Key Changes to Know

• Mains is now fully objective: Earlier cycles had a language paper with descriptive questions such as essay, letter and translation. In CGLRE-2025, Paper I was reported as 100 multiple-choice questions, 50 in Odia and 50 in English.

• Shorter mains papers: Older pages show two papers of 2.5 hours each. The CGLRE-2025 schedule gave 120 minutes to Paper I and 90 minutes to Paper II.

• Mathematics Test and CST as separate sittings: Both were held as separate tests before the two mains papers.

• Computer-based mode for mains: The mains notice described the tests as a Computer Based Recruitment Examination (CBRE). Reports on the prelims describe an OMR-based paper, so check the mode in your admit card notice.

Older pages may still show the earlier descriptive mains. Follow the official notice for the cycle you apply in.

OSSC CGL Prelims Exam Pattern

The prelims is a single objective paper set at about Class 10 standard for arithmetic and data interpretation.

Sources disagree on the section-wise split. Some show 25 questions for each of the six areas, while others show unequal marks with more weight on current affairs and Odisha GK. Because the split is not fixed in the text we could verify, prepare all six areas and do not rely on a set number per section.

Qualifying Rules for Prelims

The prelims score is used only to shortlist candidates for the mains. OSSC fixes category-wise qualifying marks and calls a multiple of the vacancies to the next stage. Syllabus summaries mention up to five times the vacancies; treat this ratio as indicative.

OSSC CGL Mains Exam Pattern

The main written exam has two papers, and their combined 200 marks form the merit list.

In CGLRE-2025 the two papers were held on the same day, Paper I in the morning and Paper II in the afternoon, as reported from the revised schedule notice. Paper II covers the Constitution, Indian and Odisha economy, history, geography, art and culture, and environment. For the full topic list, see the OSSC CGL syllabus.

Computer Skill Test and Mathematics Test

These two tests are qualifying. They do not add to your merit score, but you must pass them to be considered for the posts that require them.

Reports on the August 2026 result say about 7,355 candidates qualified in the CST and about 4,441 in the Mathematics Test, which shows that many mains candidates did not clear these tests. These counts are indicative. The CST was reported as not allowing a scribe, so candidates who need one should read the instructions carefully.

Marking Scheme and Negative Marking

The 0.25 deduction applies in the prelims and, as reported from the CGLRE-2025 mains notice, in all mains papers, the CST and the Mathematics Test. Unanswered questions carry no penalty.

Cost of a Wrong Guess

Four wrong answers cancel one correct answer. If you can eliminate two of four options, a guess between the remaining two is worth taking on average. A blind guess among four options gives an expected gain close to zero, so leave it unless you have a clue.

What the Pattern Means for You

• Each prelims question is worth one mark: With 150 questions in 150 minutes, you have one minute per question. Quick sections such as current events and Odisha GK free up time for data interpretation and puzzles.

• Do not over-prepare for prelims: It is a filter. Reported CGLRE-2025 prelims cut-offs were around 106.5 out of 150 for UR, so a safe target is a clear margin above that, not 150.

• Mains marks decide rank: A 200-mark merit list means small gains matter. Reported CV shortlist marks for UR were around 156, so many candidates are separated by a few marks.

• Language decides more than you think: Paper I gives 50 marks to Odia and 50 to English. Candidates who neglect one language often lose the marks they gained in General Studies.

• The CST is a gatekeeper: Junior Assistant posts make up most vacancies, and they need the CST. Failing it removes you from the largest pool of posts.

Certificate Verification and Final Merit

After the mains, OSSC shortlists candidates for certificate verification based on mains marks, category, post preference and the result of the CST or Mathematics Test where needed. Reports say about 1.5 times the vacancies are called, and CGLRE-2025 verification has run in three phases by October 2026.

How Final Merit Works

The final list is drawn category-wise from the total of Paper I and Paper II. Here is a simple worked example with illustrative numbers:

Candidate B has the higher mains total but cannot be allotted a post that needs the CST. Candidate A can. B can still compete for posts that do not require the CST, if B listed them in the preference form. Your post preference therefore matters as much as your score.

Time Management and Exam-Day Strategy

Prelims

1. First 30 minutes: Attempt current events, Odisha GK and computer awareness. These are recall questions and build marks fast.

2. Next 70 minutes: Move to reasoning and arithmetic. Skip any question that takes more than two minutes.

3. Next 35 minutes: Attempt data interpretation sets, choosing those with easy calculations first.

4. Last 15 minutes: Return to skipped questions you can eliminate options on, and check your OMR or response sheet.

Mains

• Paper I: Split the 120 minutes roughly evenly between Odia and English. Start with the language you are stronger in to build confidence.

• Paper II: With 100 questions in 90 minutes, you have under a minute each. Do one fast pass through all questions, then return to marked ones.

• CST and Mathematics Test: Aim comfortably above the qualifying mark, then stop guessing. There is no reward for extra marks beyond qualifying.

Setting Section-wise Targets

A target per section makes mock analysis concrete. The figures below are planning suggestions built around the reported CGLRE-2025 cut-offs, not official benchmarks. Adjust them after your first three full-length mocks.

Reserved category candidates can set targets relative to their own category's reported cut-off, but the safest approach is still to aim well above the last figure.

Common Mistakes Under This Pattern

• Preparing for the old descriptive mains: Some candidates still practise essays and letters. The CGLRE-2025 mains was objective, so practise speed and accuracy on multiple-choice questions instead.

• Treating the CST as a formality: Questions on Excel formulas, Word features and shortcuts can be specific. Practise on an actual computer, not only from notes.

• Ignoring negative marking in mains: With 0.25 deducted per wrong answer in every paper, careless guessing in General Studies can cost several marks.

• Weak post preference planning: Choosing posts without checking which tests they need can leave you without an allotment even with a good score.

• Starting mains preparation after prelims: The gap between prelims and mains was under three months in CGLRE-2025. Odia and English need longer than that, so start them early.

Exam Mode, Language and PwD Provisions

• Mode: The CGLRE-2025 mains and qualifying tests were described as computer-based. The prelims was reported as OMR-based. Each admit card notice states the mode for that stage.

• Language of papers: Paper I tests Odia and English as languages. For other papers, check the advertisement for the language in which questions are set.

• Compensatory time: PwD candidates eligible for a scribe were reported to get 20 minutes per hour of exam time in the mains.

• Scribe: Own scribes were allowed with prior permission for the written papers and Mathematics Test, but not for the CST, as reported.