The OPSC Assistant Fisheries Officer Answer Key 2026 for Paper-I and Paper-II was released on 01 October 2026 at opsc.gov.in under Notice No. 134/C-III/PSC. Sets A, B, C, and D are available covering all 200 questions per paper. The last date to submit objections online is 12 October 2026.
- Organisation: Odisha Public Service Commission (OPSC), Cuttack
- Post Name: Assistant Fisheries Officer (Group-B)
- Advertisement No.: 05 of 2026-27
- Written Exam Date: 26 September 2026
- Provisional Answer Key Release: 01 October 2026 (Notice No. 134/C-III/PSC)
- Papers Covered: Paper-I and Paper-II
- Question Booklet Sets: A, B, C, and D
- Questions per Paper: 200 (400 marks each)
- Last Date for Objections: 12 October 2026
- Objection Mode: Online only via opscechayan.in
- Total Vacancies: 44 posts
- Official Website: opsc.gov.in
- What Is the OPSC AFO Answer Key 2026?
- Important Dates
- Who Should Check This Answer Key?
- OPSC AFO Salary and Pay Scale 2026
- Eligibility and Exam Pattern
- How to Download OPSC AFO Answer Key 2026
- How to Raise Objections Against the Answer Key
- Paper-I vs Paper-II — Syllabus Comparison
- Advantages and Limitations of the Provisional Answer Key
- Important Terms Related to OPSC AFO Recruitment 2026
- Important Links
- Conclusion
- Key Takeaways
- Frequently Asked Questions
What Is the OPSC Assistant Fisheries Officer Answer Key 2026?

The OPSC Assistant Fisheries Officer Answer Key 2026 is the official provisional solution sheet released by the Odisha Public Service Commission (OPSC) after the written examination conducted on 26 September 2026. It covers all 200 questions in each of the two papers — Paper-I and Paper-II — across four question booklet sets (A, B, C, and D) under Advertisement No. 05 of 2026-27.
Candidates who appeared for the AFO exam use this key to estimate their probable scores before the official result is declared. The provisional status means any incorrect answer can be challenged through the official objection window on opscechayan.in until 12 October 2026. Answers that receive no valid objection are treated as final for scoring purposes.
This recruitment is exclusively for SC and ST candidates holding a Bachelor of Fishery Science (B.F.Sc.) degree, making the OPSC AFO Answer Key 2026 relevant to a focused group of Odisha’s reserved-category fishery graduates who appeared in the 26 September 2026 examination at Cuttack.
Important Dates for OPSC AFO Answer Key 2026
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Written Examination (Paper-I and Paper-II) | 26 September 2026 (Saturday) |
| Provisional Answer Key Release Date | 01 October 2026 |
| Notice Number | 134/C-III/PSC dated 01.10.2026 |
| Last Date to Submit Objections (Online) | 12 October 2026 |
| Final Answer Key Release | After review of valid objections (date TBA) |
| Official Website | opsc.gov.in / opscechayan.in |
Note: Always verify the exact closing time of the objection window directly on opscechayan.in, as OPSC may issue corrigenda. Missing the 12 October 2026 deadline permanently forfeits your right to raise any objection in any forum.
Who Should Check the OPSC AFO Answer Key 2026?
- 🎓 SC/ST B.F.Sc. graduates from Odisha who appeared in the 26 September 2026 written test and want to estimate their likely score before the result.
- 📋 Candidates targeting Paper-I (Freshwater Aquaculture, Genetics, Fisheries Policy, Inland Fisheries) who want to verify their answers against Sets A, B, C, or D.
- 🔬 Candidates targeting Paper-II (Fish Pathology, Toxicology, Marine Biology, Aquatic Ecology, Fish Products) who need to cross-check their attempted responses.
- ⚠️ Test-takers who suspect incorrect answer(s) in either paper and wish to raise an evidence-based objection before 12 October 2026.
- 📊 Coaching institutes and educators who prepare students for OPSC AFO and similar Odisha fisheries recruitment exams.
- 👨👩👧 Parents and guardians of candidates who appeared and want to understand the answer key process and objection mechanism.
- 🏫 B.F.Sc. college students preparing for future OPSC AFO cycles who want to analyse the 2026 question paper pattern.
- 📑 Legal or service matter stakeholders who need to know the official objection process and final key timelines.
OPSC AFO Salary and Pay Scale 2026
Candidates selected through the OPSC Assistant Fisheries Officer Recruitment 2026 are appointed as Group-B officers under the Odisha Fisheries Service Cadre. The pay scale is governed by the Odisha Revised Scales of Pay (ORSP) Rules, 2017 under the 7th Pay Commission framework.
| Salary Component | Amount |
|---|---|
| Basic Pay (starting, Level-10 Cell-1) | Rs. 44,900 per month |
| Pay Scale Range | Rs. 44,900 – Rs. 1,42,400 |
| Dearness Allowance (DA) | Approx. 50% of basic pay (~Rs. 22,450) |
| House Rent Allowance (HRA) | As per city/posting location norms |
| Other Allowances | As sanctioned by Govt. of Odisha |
| Gross Estimated Monthly (approx.) | Rs. 70,000 – Rs. 80,000+ |
| Pay Matrix Level | Level-10 under ORSP Rules, 2017 |
| Maximum Pay (on increments) | Rs. 1,42,400 per month |
This is one of the most competitive Group-B pay packages offered by Odisha state government, especially for Fishery Science graduates. Beyond basic pay, selected officers receive medical benefits, pension under NPS, and annual increments as per ORSP rules — making this a highly sought-after government role in Odisha’s fisheries sector.
Eligibility Criteria and Exam Pattern for OPSC AFO 2026
The OPSC AFO 2026 recruitment was a Special Recruitment reserved exclusively for Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe candidates. The eligibility conditions and exam pattern are as follows:
Eligibility Criteria:
- Educational Qualification: Bachelor of Fishery Science (B.F.Sc.) from a recognised University or Institution.
- Category: Must belong to Scheduled Caste (SC) or Scheduled Tribe (ST) of Odisha.
- Age Limit: Between 21 and 47 years (age relaxation for reserved categories as per Odisha government norms).
- Language: Must be able to read, write, and speak Odia.
- Domicile: Must be an ordinarily resident of Odisha as per norms.
| Exam Component | Details |
|---|---|
| Total Vacancies | 44 posts (SC + ST combined) |
| Paper-I | 200 questions | 400 marks | 2.5 hours |
| Paper-II | 200 questions | 400 marks | 2.5 hours |
| Exam Type | Objective (MCQ) — subject-specific |
| Negative Marking | No negative marking |
| Marks per Question | 2 marks each |
| Total Written Marks | 800 marks (Paper-I + Paper-II) |
| Selection Stage After Written | Viva Voce (for shortlisted candidates) |
How to Download OPSC AFO Answer Key 2026 — Step-by-Step
- Visit the official OPSC e-Chayan portal at opscechayan.in or the main OPSC website at opsc.gov.in.
- Find the Answer Key notice for “Assistant Fisheries Officers — Advt. No. 05 of 2026-27” titled as Notice No. 134/C-III/PSC dated 01.10.2026.
- Click on the PDF link for Paper-I (Subject Code-01) or Paper-II (Subject Code-02) as required.
- Select your question booklet set — A, B, C, or D — in the downloaded PDF to find the column matching your booklet series.
- Cross-check each question number against the answer given in the “Answer Key” column for your set.
- Note any discrepancies — if you believe an answer is incorrect, prepare your justification with supporting evidence (textbook reference, official source, etc.).
- Use the Set A question number when raising an objection, regardless of which set you attempted — this is mandatory per official instructions.
When checking the answer key, always refer to the Set A question number even if you attempted Set B, C, or D. OPSC’s official instruction mandates that all objections quote the Set A question number. Objections quoting other set numbers may be rejected outright. Download the Set A booklet from the OPSC website to cross-reference questions between your set and Set A.
How to Raise Objections Against the OPSC AFO Answer Key 2026
The objection process for the OPSC Assistant Fisheries Officer Answer Key 2026 is conducted online only through the official portal. No offline, postal, or in-person objections will be entertained. Follow these steps carefully to submit a valid challenge:
- Log in to the objection module available on opscechayan.in using your registered credentials.
- Select the AFO exam (Advt. No. 05 of 2026-27) from the available objection options.
- Enter the Set A question number for the answer you wish to challenge. This is mandatory — quoting Set B/C/D numbers will not be entertained.
- State your objection clearly with proper justification — cite the standard textbook, official research document, or authoritative source that supports your claim.
- Upload supporting evidence if the portal allows document attachment. Strong objections are backed by page references from prescribed syllabi books.
- Submit before 12 October 2026. No objections will be accepted after the deadline under any circumstance.
- Track your submission — note the objection reference number provided by the system for future reference if needed.
Important: Candidates who do not submit objections before the deadline permanently forfeit their right to challenge any answer in any forum, court, or tribunal at a later stage. After the objection period closes, a Committee of Experts reviews all valid challenges and issues the Final Answer Key, which forms the basis of the official result and merit list.
Paper-I vs Paper-II — Syllabus Comparison Table
Understanding the syllabus distribution between Paper-I and Paper-II helps candidates verify which questions belong to which knowledge domain when cross-checking the answer key.
| Comparison Dimension | Paper-I (Subject Code-01) | Paper-II (Subject Code-02) |
|---|---|---|
| Total Questions | 200 | 200 |
| Total Marks | 400 | 400 |
| Exam Duration | 2.5 hours (1st session) | 2.5 hours (2nd session) |
| Focus Area 1 | Freshwater Aquaculture | Fish and Shellfish Pathology |
| Focus Area 2 | Aquaculture in Reservoirs | Microbial and Parasitic Diseases |
| Focus Area 3 | Genetics and Breeding | Pharmacology |
| Focus Area 4 | Finfish Hatchery Management | Fish Toxicology |
| Focus Area 5 | Fish Nutrition and Feed Technology | Soil and Water Chemistry |
| Focus Area 6 | Inland and Marine Fisheries | Limnology and Marine Biology |
| Focus Area 7 | Fisheries Policy and Law | Aquatic Ecology and Disaster Management |
| Focus Area 8 | ICT and Fisheries Extension | Fish Products and Value Addition |
| Best For | Production and management-oriented topics | Health, environment, and technology topics |
Paper-I covers production-side fisheries science while Paper-II focuses on health, environment, and value addition. When raising objections, ensure you are referencing a standard B.F.Sc. textbook prescribed by the Odisha Board of Fisheries Education or a peer-reviewed journal to maximise the chance of your challenge being accepted by the Expert Committee.
Advantages and Limitations of the Provisional Answer Key
The provisional answer key serves as a critical self-assessment tool, but it has certain limitations that candidates should understand before making assumptions about their selection.
✅ Advantages of the OPSC AFO Provisional Answer Key 2026
- Allows candidates to estimate their probable score well before the official result, reducing anxiety and enabling better planning.
- Provides a transparent challenge mechanism that ensures accuracy — subject experts review every valid objection before the final key is declared.
- Covers all 200 questions per paper across four booklet sets (A, B, C, D), giving complete visibility to all candidates regardless of which set they attempted.
- Released within 5 days of the exam (26 September to 01 October 2026), making it one of the faster state PSC answer key releases in India.
- Online objection process is streamlined and candidate-friendly — no need to visit OPSC office in Cuttack in person.
⚠️ Limitations to Keep in Mind
- The provisional key may contain errors — always compare your answer against the Set A key and verify with standard textbooks before assuming you got a question wrong.
- Objections must reference Set A question numbers only; candidates who attempted Sets B, C, or D must cross-map their questions — a process that can be confusing without careful attention.
- The objection deadline (12 October 2026) is firm. There is no provision for extension, and late submissions are not processed under any circumstance.
Important Terms Related to OPSC AFO Recruitment 2026
Understanding these key terms helps candidates, coaching institutes, and job seekers navigate the OPSC AFO recruitment and answer key process more effectively:
- Provisional Answer Key: The initial, challengeable version of the official answer sheet released after the exam. Not final — subject to revision based on valid objections.
- Final Answer Key: The corrected, conclusive version released after the Expert Committee reviews all submitted objections. Used for actual score calculation and merit ranking.
- OPSC e-Chayan Portal (opscechayan.in): The Odisha PSC’s dedicated online recruitment portal where candidates access answer keys, raise objections, and track exam notifications.
- ORSP Rules 2017: Odisha Revised Scales of Pay Rules, 2017 — the pay framework governing all Odisha state government salaries under the 7th Pay Commission. AFO pay falls at Level-10 Cell-1 starting at Rs. 44,900.
- Advertisement No. 05 of 2026-27: The official notification number for the OPSC AFO recruitment cycle 2026. Used to identify the correct exam when submitting objections or checking results.
- B.F.Sc. (Bachelor of Fishery Science): The minimum educational qualification required to apply for the OPSC Assistant Fisheries Officer post — a 4-year undergraduate programme offered by agricultural and fisheries universities in India.
- Special Recruitment: A targeted recruitment drive reserved exclusively for SC and ST candidates, as opposed to general open recruitment. OPSC AFO 2026 is a Special Recruitment, making all 44 vacancies reserved for SC/ST applicants of Odisha.
- Viva Voce: The oral interview or personality test stage that follows the written exam for shortlisted candidates. OPSC typically shortlists candidates approximately twice the number of vacancies for Viva Voce.
- Odisha Fisheries Service Cadre: The official state government service cadre under which AFO posts are created and administered by the Fisheries and Animal Resources Development Department, Odisha.
- Notice No. 134/C-III/PSC: The specific OPSC notice number under which the AFO provisional answer key was released on 01 October 2026 — use this for reference in any formal communication.
Important Links — OPSC AFO Answer Key 2026
| Link Name | URL |
|---|---|
| OPSC Official Website | opsc.gov.in |
| OPSC e-Chayan Portal (Answer Key + Objections) | opscechayan.in |
| Government of Odisha Official Portal | odisha.gov.in |
| Fisheries and ARD Department, Odisha | fard.odisha.gov.in |
| National Recruitment Portal (NCS) | ncs.gov.in |
Conclusion
The OPSC Assistant Fisheries Officer Answer Key 2026 for Paper-I and Paper-II is now available for all candidates who appeared in the 26 September 2026 written examination. Released on 01 October 2026, the provisional key covers 200 questions per paper across Sets A, B, C, and D — giving every test-taker a fair and transparent opportunity to verify their responses and estimate their score before the official result.
If you believe any answer in the key is incorrect, raise your objection online through opscechayan.in before the deadline of 12 October 2026. Missing this window permanently forfeits your right to challenge the answer — so act promptly and with sufficient justification backed by standard textbook references.
Bookmark this page and follow Agrijob.in for the Final Answer Key release date, result declaration, merit list, and Viva Voce schedule updates for OPSC AFO 2026.
- OPSC released the AFO Provisional Answer Key 2026 on 01 October 2026 — covering all 200 questions in Paper-I and Paper-II across Sets A, B, C, and D.
- The last date to raise objections online via opscechayan.in is 12 October 2026 — missing this deadline forfeits your right permanently.
- All objections must cite the Set A question number, regardless of which booklet set you attempted in the exam.
- Selected AFO candidates receive a starting salary of Rs. 44,900/month at Level-10 of the ORSP Pay Matrix, growing up to Rs. 1,42,400/month.
- The recruitment is a Special Recruitment with 44 total vacancies reserved exclusively for SC and ST candidates holding a B.F.Sc. degree from Odisha.
- After the objection window closes, a Committee of Experts reviews all valid challenges before the Final Answer Key and result are declared.
Frequently Asked Questions About OPSC Assistant Fisheries Officer Answer Key 2026
Has the OPSC Assistant Fisheries Officer Answer Key 2026 been released?
Yes. The Odisha Public Service Commission released the OPSC Assistant Fisheries Officer provisional answer key 2026 on 01 October 2026 through Notice No. 134/C-III/PSC. It covers Paper-I and Paper-II for all four question booklet sets (A, B, C, and D). Candidates can download it from opsc.gov.in or access the objection module at opscechayan.in.
When was the OPSC AFO written examination held in 2026?
The OPSC Assistant Fisheries Officer written examination 2026 was held on 26 September 2026 (Saturday) at the designated examination centres in Cuttack, Odisha. Paper-I was conducted in the morning session and Paper-II in the afternoon session on the same day.
What is the last date to raise objections against the OPSC AFO Answer Key 2026?
The last date to raise objections against the OPSC Assistant Fisheries Officer provisional answer key 2026 is 12 October 2026. All objections must be submitted online only through the official module at opscechayan.in. No offline, postal, or in-person submissions will be considered after this deadline.
How many questions are covered in the OPSC AFO Answer Key 2026?
The OPSC AFO Answer Key 2026 covers 200 questions per paper — 200 in Paper-I and 200 in Paper-II — for a total of 400 questions across both papers. Each question carries 2 marks, making Paper-I worth 400 marks and Paper-II worth 400 marks, for a combined written examination total of 800 marks.
What happens if I do not raise an objection before the deadline?
If you do not raise an objection against the OPSC AFO provisional answer key by 12 October 2026, you permanently forfeit your right to challenge that answer in any forum, court, or manner at any later stage. OPSC’s official notice states that the answers which receive no objection will be treated as final. This rule applies to all candidates without exception.
How do I know which Set A question number corresponds to my question?
Each question in Sets B, C, and D corresponds to a specific question in Set A. OPSC typically releases a set-mapping table or provides guidance through the objection portal. Download the Set A question booklet from the official OPSC website, compare the question text with your booklet, and identify the matching Set A question number before submitting your objection.
What is the salary after selection as OPSC Assistant Fisheries Officer in 2026?
Candidates selected through the OPSC AFO Recruitment 2026 receive a starting basic pay of Rs. 44,900 per month at Level-10, Cell-1 of the Pay Matrix under Odisha Revised Scales of Pay (ORSP) Rules, 2017. With Dearness Allowance at approximately 50% and other allowances, the gross monthly salary is estimated at Rs. 70,000–Rs. 80,000 or more. The pay scale can grow up to Rs. 1,42,400 per month through annual increments.
Who is eligible for the OPSC Assistant Fisheries Officer 2026 recruitment?
The OPSC AFO 2026 is a Special Recruitment exclusively for candidates belonging to Scheduled Caste (SC) or Scheduled Tribe (ST) of Odisha who hold a Bachelor of Fishery Science (B.F.Sc.) degree from a recognised university. Candidates must be aged between 21 and 47 years and must be able to read, write, and speak Odia. There are 44 vacancies in total under Advertisement No. 05 of 2026-27.
When will the OPSC AFO Final Answer Key 2026 be released?
OPSC has not yet announced a specific date for the OPSC Assistant Fisheries Officer Final Answer Key 2026. It will be released after the Committee of Experts reviews all valid objections submitted before 12 October 2026. Candidates are advised to regularly check opsc.gov.in and opscechayan.in for the final key, result date, and merit list notifications.
Is there negative marking in the OPSC Assistant Fisheries Officer exam 2026?
No. There is no negative marking in the OPSC Assistant Fisheries Officer written examination 2026. Both Paper-I and Paper-II are objective type (MCQ) with each correct answer carrying 2 marks. Wrong answers or unattempted questions do not result in any deduction from the total score.
This article is reviewed and updated regularly for accuracy. Bookmark this page for the latest information on OPSC AFO Final Answer Key, result dates, and merit list announcements. Always verify critical dates and direct links on the official OPSC portal at opsc.gov.in.
This article is published for informational purposes only. All data — including dates, salary figures, and eligibility criteria — is sourced from the official OPSC notification (Advt. No. 05 of 2026-27) and Notice No. 134/C-III/PSC. Agrijob.in is not affiliated with the Odisha Public Service Commission. Readers are advised to verify all details on the official OPSC website at opsc.gov.in before taking any action.






