OPSC OCS-2023 Exam lapses: Anthropology written tests rescheduled; details here

The Odisha Public Service Commission (OPSC) on Wednesday cancelled the Anthropology Paper I and Paper II optional written exams earlier held on April 27 and rescheduled the same for May 14, after candidates raised concerns over alleged overlap of question papers.

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Key timings of the written test to note

The OPSC announced that the Anthropology (Optional Subject) Paper-I examination will be held from 9.00 AM to 12.00 noon, and the Anthropology Paper-II test will be held from 2.00 PM to 5.00 PM, respectively, on May 14 (Wednesday).

The Anthropology optional included two papers, which encountered issues when questions were mistakenly swapped between the first and second papers, leading to significant confusion among examinees. Candidates had awaited further notice on the expected reschedule, expressing a collective discontent regarding the administrative oversight.

“Keeping in view the dislocation arising because of interchange of Questions of Anthropology Optional Paper-I & II in the Odisha Civil Services Main (Written) Examination-2023 held on 27.04.2025 and considering the grievances of candidates received by OPSC, the Commission has decided the reschedule,” an OPSC notification mentioned.

Following demands from candidates to cancel the exams, the OPSC has formally announced the cancellation of the previous examinations to ensure fairness and equal opportunity to the concerned candidates, the official communiqué issued in this regard stated.

Notably, the PWD (Persons with Disabilities) candidates will be given one hour extra time in each sitting, i.e., from 9.00 AM to 1.00 PM and from 2.00 PM to 6.00 PM.

The Written Examination in respect of Anthropology Optional Paper-I & II held on April 27 this year shall be treated as ‘cancelled’ and the answer scripts of the said examination shall not be evaluated.

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The Admission Certificate and Instructions for the said examination can be downloaded by desirous candidates w.e.f 08.05.2025. The candidates are advised to visit the official website of the Commission at http://opsc.gov.in for further information in this regard.