OSSSC Nursing Officer Eligibility 2026: Qualification, Age Limit and Relaxations

OSSSC Nursing Officer eligibility rests on four things: a recognised nursing qualification, valid nursing council registration, working knowledge of Odia and an age within the limit. Missing any one of them can lead to rejection at document verification, even after a good score in the written test.

This page explains each condition for the 2026 cycle (Advertisement No. IIE-54/2026), with the age relaxations and the documents to keep ready. We could not open the advertisement text on the commission's website, so the conditions are compiled from several reports of it. Where those reports disagree, the page says so and tells you what to confirm.

Table of Contents

• Eligibility at a glance

• Educational qualification

• Nursing council registration

• Odia language requirement

• Age limit

• Age relaxation by category

• Nationality and other conditions

• Who is not eligible

• Fee and documents

Eligibility at a glance

Educational qualification

Candidates need a Diploma in General Nursing and Midwifery (GNM) or a B.Sc Nursing degree. The institution should be recognised by the Indian Nursing Council, and reports also mention recognised institutions in Odisha, such as nursing schools attached to medical college hospitals.

• GNM: a 3-year diploma with the required internship, and a pass certificate or provisional certificate as the notice allows.

• B.Sc Nursing: a 4-year degree from a recognised university or college of nursing.

• Final-year students: one report states that final-year students are not eligible, because registration must be valid on the date of application. Do not apply without a completed course and registration.

• Other degrees: Post-basic B.Sc or M.Sc Nursing holders should check whether the notice treats them as eligible, since a general nursing qualification is the base requirement.

Some pages also mention a 10+2 requirement. Since both GNM and B.Sc Nursing normally require 10+2, this does not change the picture, but keep your Class 12 certificate ready.

Nursing council registration

A valid registration with the Odisha Nursing Council, or with another state nursing council recognised by the Indian Nursing Council, is required. One report says the registration or renewal certificate must be valid on the date the online application is submitted.

1. Check validity: confirm that your registration has not lapsed and has been renewed where required.

2. Keep the number handy: the application form asks for the registration number and date.

3. Apply for renewal early: council processing takes time and cannot be done on the last day.

Odia language requirement

Candidates must be able to speak, read and write Odia. According to one detailed report, any one of the following is accepted. The exact list should be checked in the notice.

Candidates from other states can apply if they meet this requirement and the other conditions.

Age limit

The minimum age is reported as 21 years. The maximum age is reported as 42 years in most summaries, while a few pages give 38 years. Because the sources conflict, treat 42 years as the working figure and confirm the exact upper limit and the date on which age is counted in the advertisement before you apply.

Age relaxation by category

A candidate is generally given only the single most beneficial relaxation, so do not add categories together unless the notice says so. Category certificates must be in the format and from the authority named in the advertisement.

Nationality and other conditions

• Nationality: Indian citizens can apply. Reports also list subjects of Nepal or Bhutan and certain Tibetan refugees and persons of Indian origin, subject to the usual certificate of eligibility.

• Domicile: no strict Odisha domicile rule has been reported, but the Odia requirement effectively applies to all.

• Character and health: candidates must meet the character and medical fitness standards of Odisha government service.

• Reservation: category-wise posts follow Odisha reservation rules, with a share of posts for women in each category. See the overview page for the reported split.

• Attempts: no limit on attempts has been reported.

Who is not eligible

• Registration not valid: expired or missing nursing council registration on the date of application.

• No Odia proof: candidates who cannot show one of the accepted Odia qualifications.

• Outside the age window: candidates below 21 or above the upper limit after the relaxation they are entitled to.

• Course not completed: students still in the final year without a completed qualification.

• Unrecognised institution: qualification from a college not recognised by the Indian Nursing Council.

If you are unsure about a borderline case, ask the commission through the helpline or the contact details on the official website before you pay the fee.

Fee and documents

The fee reported for 2026 is Rs. 500 for candidates other than SC, ST and PwD, with no fee for those categories. It is paid online and is tentative until you read the notice. Keep these documents ready for upload and verification:

• Education: GNM or B.Sc Nursing marksheets and certificate, and Class 10 and Class 12 certificates.

• Registration: nursing council registration and renewal certificate.

• Odia proof: the school certificate that shows Odia.

• Category and disability: caste, SEBC, PwD or ex-serviceman certificate where claimed.

• Identity and photographs: photo ID, a recent photograph and signature in the size asked.

Official OSSSC website: https://www.osssc.gov.in/