OSSSC Nursing Officer Eligibility Criteria 2026: Age Limit, Qualification & Registration
The OSSSC Nursing Officer Eligibility Criteria 2026 define the essential requirements for 5,989 vacancies, covering age limits, educational background, professional registration, Odia language proficiency, and citizenship. Prospective applicants must meet these standards to qualify for the selection process.
The Odisha Sub-Ordinate Staff Selection Commission (OSSSC) has officially announced the recruitment of 5,989 Nursing Officers (District Cadre Group-C) under the Department of Health & Family Welfare, Government of Odisha. To ensure a successful application, candidates are advised to verify that they meet all mandatory eligibility criteria established by the Commission.
The comprehensive OSSSC Nursing Officer eligibility framework for 2026 encompasses specific mandates regarding age, academic qualifications, Nursing Council registration, Odia language skills, and citizenship status. Understanding these prerequisites is vital for every applicant preparing for the upcoming recruitment drive.
OSSSC Nursing Officer Eligibility Criteria 2026
To be considered for the OSSSC Nursing Officer Recruitment 2026, candidates must strictly adhere to the standards set by the Commission. These criteria cover age boundaries, professional academic credentials, valid registration, language proficiency, and nationality, along with specific category-based conditions.
Educational Qualification
Applicants must hold the necessary academic and professional degrees required for the Nursing Officer role. Furthermore, maintaining an active registration with the Nursing Council is a compulsory requirement for all candidates. Detailed specifications regarding academic qualifications can be found below.
| Requirement | Details |
| Higher Secondary Qualification | Must have passed +2 under the 10+2 system or its equivalent |
| Nursing Qualification | Must have completed GNM (General Nursing and Midwifery) or B.Sc. Nursing |
| Institution Recognition | Qualification must be obtained from a Medical College & Hospital of Odisha or any institution recognized by the Indian Nursing Council (INC) |
| Professional Eligibility | Must be registered with the Nursing Council of the State |
| Registration Status | Must possess a valid Registration Certificate or Renewal Certificate on the date of online application submission |
| Document Requirement | Valid registration/renewal certificate must be uploaded during online application |
Age Limit
All applicants must comply with the age limits specified as of the official advertisement date. Any application failing to meet these age parameters will be automatically rejected. The full breakdown of the OSSSC Nursing Officer age limit is outlined below.
| Criteria | Age Requirement |
| Minimum Age | 21 Years |
| Maximum Age | 42 Years |
Acceptable Proof of Age
Valid documentation required for age verification is listed below.
- HSC Certificate issued by the Board of Secondary Education, Odisha
- Equivalent certificate issued by any recognized Board, Council, or Indian University
Age Relaxation
The Commission offers upper age limit concessions for candidates belonging to reserved or special categories. To claim these benefits, applicants must provide legitimate supporting documentation. The specific age relaxation policies are detailed below.
| Category | Age Relaxation |
| SC | 5 Years |
| ST | 5 Years |
| SEBC | 5 Years |
| Women | 5 Years |
| Persons with Disabilities (PwD) | 10 Years |
| Contractual Nursing Officers | Up to 45 Years of Age |
| ASHAs | Up to 45 Years of Age |
| Ex-Servicemen | Relaxation equal to total period of defence service rendered |
Additional Relaxation for PwD Candidates
| Category | Total Age Relaxation |
| PwD + SC | 15 Years |
| PwD + ST | 15 Years |
| PwD + SEBC | 15 Years |
Odia Language Eligibility
Proficiency in the Odia language is a non-negotiable requirement. Candidates must demonstrate the ability to read, write, and speak Odia according to the Commission's prescribed standards. The approved Odia language qualifications are listed below.
| Option | Eligibility Requirement |
| Option A | Passed Middle School (M.E.) Examination with Odia as a language subject |
| Option B | Passed HSC/Matriculation or equivalent examination with Odia as the medium of examination in all non-language subjects |
| Option C | Passed Odia as a language subject in Class VII or above from a recognized school/institution |
| Option D | Passed a test in Odia of Middle School Standard conducted by the School & Mass Education Department, Odisha |
Nationality
Only citizens of India are eligible to apply for this recruitment. Applicants who do not meet the citizenship criteria will be deemed ineligible for the selection process.
Other General & Statutory Eligibility Criteria
- Character: Must be of good character.
- Marital Status: If married, the candidate must not have more than one spouse living.
- Exception: The Government may exempt a person from this rule if it is satisfied that such a marriage is permissible under their applicable personal law or if there are other valid grounds to do so.
- Debarment Clause: If a candidate has been debarred from recruitment examinations for a specific period by the OSSSC, they remain ineligible to appear for this recruitment during that specified timeframe.
Document and Status Rules for Special Categories
Criteria for Sportspersons
- Must possess a valid Sportsperson ID Card issued by the Sports & Youth Services Department, Government of Odisha.
- They must upload a scanned copy of the original card (photocopies are not accepted).
Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) - Minimum Benchmark: Must possess a Permanent Disability Certificate verifying a minimum of 40% disability.
- Limb Requirements: Must fall under the approved category and sub-category of disability, possessing the required physical and functional classifications detailed for the post.
- Temporary Disability Disqualification: Applicants holding a temporary disability certificate are completely ineligible to apply under the PwD quota. Such applications will be summarily rejected.
- Document Upload: Must upload a scanned copy of the original Unique Disability Identity (UDID) Card or Disability Certificate issued by the Competent Authority.
- Scribe Policy: Candidates with benchmark disabilities requiring a scribe for the Written Test must obtain written permission from the concerned ADM-cum-District Superintendent at least 3 days prior to the examination date.
Criteria for Ex-Servicemen
- Must possess a valid Identity Card, Discharge Certificate, or service documents showing the exact duration of defense service.
- Must provide a signed undertaking stating that they have not previously accepted any regular re-employment under the Government of Odisha by utilizing the Ex-Servicemen quota.
FAQs
The minimum age for applicants is 21 years as of the official advertisement date.
The maximum age limit is set at 42 years, subject to existing rules regarding category-based age relaxations.
Yes, candidates who have successfully completed the GNM (General Nursing and Midwifery) qualification are eligible to apply.
Yes, it is mandatory for all applicants to possess a valid Nursing Council Registration Certificate or an active Renewal Certificate.
Yes, candidates must be proficient in reading, writing, and speaking the Odia language and meet at least one of the Commission’s official language qualification benchmarks.