Odisha Civil Service exam not postponed due to floods; transport arranged for candidates

The Odisha Civil Service (OCS) main examination will not be postponed despite widespread flooding caused by Cyclone ‘Arnab’, with the state government confirming that transport arrangements will be made for affected candidates. Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari announced the decision on Friday, October 30, 2026, rejecting demands from political parties and student bodies for a deferral.

The examination, conducted by the Odisha Public Service Commission (OPSC), is set to commence on October 31 and continue until November 7. The decision impacts hundreds of candidates, particularly those in Ganjam and Gajapati districts, where flooding in the Rushikulya River has inundated large areas, leaving many stranded.

Government’s Rationale for Proceeding with Exams

Minister Suresh Pujari stated that postponing the OCS examination would necessitate at least six months to reconduct the test, which would disappoint candidates who have already prepared. He reviewed the disaster response with Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) Rajesh Prabhakar Patil before making the announcement on October 30, 2026.

The state government has instructed Block Development Officers (BDOs) in flood- and rain-affected districts to ensure the free movement of candidates from their homes to exam centres and back. This measure aims to support the participation of all eligible candidates despite the challenging weather conditions.

Impacted Districts and Candidate Numbers

The floods, triggered by heavy rainfall from Cyclone ‘Arnab’, have severely affected several southern districts of Odisha. Ganjam and Gajapati districts are particularly impacted, with hundreds of candidates and lakhs of other residents stranded due to the inundation.

If you look at figures provided by Minister Pujari, 325 candidates from Ganjam district and nearly 100 candidates from Gajapati district are expected to appear for the OCS main examination. Congress MP Saptagiri Sankar Ulaka had also urged the OPSC to reschedule the examination for candidates allotted to the Jeypore centre in Koraput district due to the cyclone’s impact.

Criticism from Opposition and Student Bodies

The decision to proceed with the OCS main examination has drawn criticism from opposition parties and student organizations. The Congress party had initially demanded the postponement of the examination in the southern districts due to the impact of Cyclone ‘Arnab’.

The opposition Biju Janata Dal (BJD) termed the government’s decision as ‘unjust’ and ‘inhumane’. Ipsita Sahu, president of the Biju Chhatra Janata Dal, also stated that the decision is ‘unacceptable’. The National Students’ Union of India (NSUI) had similarly urged the state government to postpone the OPSC Mains examination, citing the difficulties faced by candidates due to the floods.

Examination Schedule and Previous Alterations

The Odisha Civil Service (OCS) main examination is scheduled to commence on October 31, 2026, and will continue until November 7, 2026. This schedule, set by the Odisha Public Service Commission (OPSC), has been confirmed despite recent widespread flooding.

The OCS Main Exam schedule had previously undergone alterations due to what comes from Cyclone ‘Arnab’. This shows the OPSC had considered the weather situation in its planning leading up to the current decision to proceed with the examination as scheduled.

Further reading

• OCS Main 2025 exam rescheduled due to Cyclone Arnab; schools shut in 6 Odisha districts
• NIT Trichy PhD admission January 2027 session: apply by November 13
• OSSSC recruitment 2026 application window open for 7,268 uniformed services posts; apply by November 12
• OSSSC recruitment 2026: apply for 7,268 uniformed services posts by 12 November

Written by Nishit Kumar

Nishit Kumar is a senior EdTech industry leader with over a decade of experience in building and scaling education platforms, shaping their product, content, and growth strategy. At FindMyCollege, Nishit oversees content and editorial strategy, guiding topic selection and content frameworks to ensure accuracy, relevance, and student-first value across the website.

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