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100+ Free OPSC OCS Practice Questions

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The south-west monsoon, which brings most of India's annual rainfall, normally sets in over the Kerala coast around which month?

A
B
C
D
to track
2026 Statistics

Key Facts: OPSC OCS Exam

2 papers

Prelims objective papers

OPSC

200 marks

Marks per paper

OPSC

2 hours

Duration per paper

OPSC

33%

GS Paper II (CSAT) qualifying

OPSC

1/3 mark

Negative marking per wrong answer

OPSC

Rs. 700

Application fee (General/SEBC)

OPSC notification

The OPSC OCS Preliminary Examination has two compulsory objective papers of 200 marks each, two hours each. General Studies Paper I (about 100 questions) covers history, geography, polity, economy, environment, science, current affairs, and Odisha topics. General Studies Paper II (CSAT) is qualifying at 33%, and one-third of a mark is deducted for each wrong answer.

Sample OPSC OCS Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to test your OPSC OCS exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1The Paika Rebellion of 1817, an armed uprising against British rule, took place in which present-day Indian state?
A.Odisha
B.West Bengal
C.Bihar
D.Andhra Pradesh
Explanation: The Paika Rebellion (Paika Bidroha) of 1817 broke out in the Khurda region of Odisha and is often described as one of the earliest organised armed revolts against the British East India Company. It was led by Bakshi Jagabandhu Bidyadhar, the military chief of the Raja of Khurda.
2Veer Surendra Sai is remembered for leading a prolonged rebellion against the British in which region of Odisha?
A.Sambalpur
B.Cuttack
C.Puri
D.Balasore
Explanation: Veer Surendra Sai led a long-running armed resistance against British rule in the Sambalpur region from the 1820s into the 1860s. He is celebrated as a major freedom fighter of western Odisha who refused to accept British annexation of Sambalpur.
3Odisha became a separate province on a linguistic basis under British India in which year?
A.1936
B.1912
C.1947
D.1956
Explanation: On 1 April 1936, Odisha (then Orissa) became the first Indian province to be created on a linguistic basis, carved largely out of the Bengal and Bihar Presidency areas. This date is observed as Utkal Divas (Odisha Day).
4The Kalinga War, after which Emperor Ashoka renounced warfare, was fought against the kingdom located in present-day Odisha around which year?
A.261 BCE
B.326 BCE
C.185 BCE
D.78 CE
Explanation: The Kalinga War was fought around 261 BCE between the Mauryan emperor Ashoka and the kingdom of Kalinga, located in present-day Odisha. The bloodshed reportedly led Ashoka to embrace Buddhism and a policy of dhamma.
5The Sun Temple at Konark, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Odisha, was built by a king of which dynasty?
A.Eastern Ganga dynasty
B.Somavamshi dynasty
C.Bhauma-Kara dynasty
D.Gajapati dynasty
Explanation: The Konark Sun Temple was built in the 13th century by King Narasimhadeva I of the Eastern Ganga dynasty. Designed as a colossal chariot of the Sun god Surya, it was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1984.
6Utkalmani Gopabandhu Das, a renowned social reformer of Odisha, is most closely associated with founding which institution?
A.Satyabadi school at Sakhigopal
B.Banaras Hindu University
C.Servants of India Society
D.Ramakrishna Mission
Explanation: Gopabandhu Das, honoured as Utkalmani, founded the Satyabadi open-air school at Sakhigopal near Puri in 1909 to promote nationalist and value-based education. He was also a freedom fighter and the founder of the newspaper Samaj.
7Which of the following is the largest brackish water lagoon in India and a Ramsar site located in Odisha?
A.Chilika Lake
B.Wular Lake
C.Sambhar Lake
D.Loktak Lake
Explanation: Chilika Lake on the eastern coast of Odisha is the largest brackish water lagoon in India and was the first Indian wetland designated as a Ramsar site (1981). It is famous for migratory birds and the Irrawaddy dolphins.
8Which river is the longest river flowing through Odisha and is dammed at Hirakud?
A.Mahanadi
B.Brahmani
C.Baitarani
D.Subarnarekha
Explanation: The Mahanadi is the longest and largest river of Odisha. The Hirakud Dam, one of the longest earthen dams in the world, was built across the Mahanadi near Sambalpur for flood control, irrigation, and hydroelectric power.
9Simlipal National Park, a tiger reserve and biosphere reserve, is located in which district of Odisha?
A.Mayurbhanj
B.Koraput
C.Ganjam
D.Sundargarh
Explanation: Simlipal National Park and Tiger Reserve is located in the Mayurbhanj district of northern Odisha. It forms part of the Mayurbhanj Elephant Reserve and was declared a UNESCO biosphere reserve, known for tigers, elephants, and waterfalls like Barehipani.
10Which of the following minerals is Odisha the leading producer of in India, making it central to the country's steel and aluminium industries?
A.Bauxite and iron ore
B.Mica
C.Gold
D.Petroleum
Explanation: Odisha is the leading producer of several minerals in India, including bauxite, iron ore, and chromite. These reserves underpin major steel and aluminium plants and make mining a key pillar of the state's economy.

About the OPSC OCS Exam

The Odisha Civil Services (OCS) Examination, conducted by the Odisha Public Service Commission (OPSC), recruits candidates for Group A and Group B posts such as the Odisha Administrative Service, Odisha Revenue Service, and Odisha Taxation Service. The selection process has three stages: a Preliminary Examination, a Main Examination, and a Personality Test (Interview). The Preliminary Examination comprises two compulsory objective-type (MCQ) papers of 200 marks each and two hours each — General Studies Paper I and General Studies Paper II (CSAT). General Studies Paper II is qualifying with a minimum of 33%, and there is negative marking of one-third for each wrong answer.

Questions

200 scored questions

Time Limit

2 hours per paper (4 hours total)

Passing Score

GS Paper II (CSAT) qualifying at 33%; GS Paper I screened via annual cutoff

Exam Fee

Rs. 700 for General/SEBC candidates; SC/ST/PwD/Women exempted (Odisha Public Service Commission (OPSC), Cuttack)

OPSC OCS Exam Content Outline

~18%

History (India & Odisha)

History of India and the national movement, history of Odisha and Odia nationalism, ancient Kalinga, and cultural heritage

~14%

Geography (India & Odisha)

Physical, social, and economic geography of India and the world, with special emphasis on Odisha

~16%

Polity & Governance

Indian Constitution, political system, Panchayati Raj, public policy, and constitutional bodies

~13%

Economy & Social Development

Economic and social development, schemes, poverty, inclusion, demographics, and Odisha welfare programmes

~15%

Environment, Ecology & General Science

Environmental ecology, biodiversity, climate change, conservation, and general science

~9%

Current Affairs

National, international, and Odisha-specific current events, schemes, and developments

~15%

CSAT / Aptitude (GS Paper II)

Comprehension, logical reasoning, decision-making, basic numeracy, and data interpretation (qualifying paper)

How to Pass the OPSC OCS Exam

What You Need to Know

  • Passing score: GS Paper II (CSAT) qualifying at 33%; GS Paper I screened via annual cutoff
  • Exam length: 200 questions
  • Time limit: 2 hours per paper (4 hours total)
  • Exam fee: Rs. 700 for General/SEBC candidates; SC/ST/PwD/Women exempted

Keys to Passing

  • Complete 500+ practice questions
  • Score 80%+ consistently before scheduling
  • Focus on highest-weighted sections
  • Use our AI tutor for tough concepts

OPSC OCS Study Tips from Top Performers

1Master Odisha-specific topics — Kalinga history, Paika Rebellion, Surendra Sai, Chilika, Hirakud, KALIA, and Mission Shakti are recurring high-yield areas.
2Read NCERT books for history, geography, polity, economy, and science, then add Odisha state GK from a reliable Odisha-focused source.
3Treat the CSAT paper seriously — it is qualifying at 33%, so practice comprehension, reasoning, and basic numeracy to avoid being eliminated.
4Practice with negative marking in mind: deduct one-third for wrong answers and learn when an educated guess is worth the risk.
5Analyse previous-year OPSC prelims papers to identify high-frequency topics like state schemes, tribal issues, and disaster management.
6Build a daily current-affairs habit covering national, international, and Odisha news, plus government schemes and budget highlights.
7Take full-length timed mock tests for both papers to manage the two-hour limit and build exam-day stamina.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the OPSC OCS Examination?

The Odisha Civil Services (OCS) Examination is conducted by the Odisha Public Service Commission (OPSC) to recruit officers for Group A and Group B posts in the Odisha government. It has three stages: Preliminary Examination, Main Examination, and a Personality Test (Interview).

What is the pattern of the OPSC OCS Preliminary Examination?

The prelims has two compulsory objective-type (MCQ) papers of 200 marks each, two hours each. General Studies Paper I covers general studies and Odisha-specific topics, while General Studies Paper II is a CSAT-style aptitude paper that is qualifying in nature.

How many questions are in the OPSC OCS prelims?

General Studies Paper I typically has 100 questions, and General Studies Paper II (CSAT) also has objective questions for 200 marks. Each correct answer carries marks, and there is negative marking of one-third (0.33) for each wrong answer.

What is the qualifying mark for the CSAT paper?

General Studies Paper II (CSAT) is qualifying in nature, and candidates must score at least 33% to have their General Studies Paper I evaluated for shortlisting to the Main Examination.

Does the OPSC OCS prelims count toward the final merit?

No. The Preliminary Examination is only a screening test; its marks are not counted in the final merit list. The final merit is based on the Main Examination and the Personality Test.

What is the application fee for OPSC OCS?

The application fee is Rs. 700 for General and SEBC candidates. SC, ST, persons with disabilities, and women candidates are generally exempted from the fee, as specified in the official notification.

Who is eligible to appear for the OPSC OCS exam?

Candidates must be Indian citizens, hold a Bachelor's degree in any discipline from a recognised university, have knowledge of Odia as prescribed, and meet the age limit (generally 21 to 38 years for unreserved, with relaxations) and the category-wise attempt limit.

Is there negative marking in the OPSC OCS prelims?

Yes. One-third (0.33) of the marks assigned to a question are deducted for each wrong answer in the Preliminary Examination, so accuracy and selective attempting are important.