Latest ASO Notification in Odisha

Assistant Section Officer (Group-B) in the Office of the Advocate General, Odisha, Cuttack – No. of Vacancies -29(10-w)

Notification – Click Here

DATE OF EXAMINATION – The Written Examination will be held tentatively on 27th July – 2025 (Sunday)
THE LINK FOR REGISTRATION AND SUBMISSION OF ONLINE APPLICATION SHALL BE AVAILABLE IN THE WEBSITE FROM 09.05.2025 to 09.06.2025 till 05.00 P.M. (Note.. 09.06.2025 .is the last date for submission Of Registered Online Application)

ASO GENERAL PATTERN (Subject to change, refer to notification link shared for latest pattern)

METHOD OF SELECTION:
(a) The Competitive Examination for recruitment to the posts of Assistant Section Officer will be conducted in the following successive stages:
(i) Written Examination (Objective Type -Multiple Choice Questions) – 400 marks
(ii) Skill Test in Computer (Practical-Qualifying) – 50 marks
(b) The written examination shall comprise of three (03) Papers carrying a total of 400 marks.

Last recruitment – Group B – Odisha Secretariat Service under Home Department – 796 posts

December 31, 2021 Notification

Free ASO Coaching Quant & Reasoning – Click Here – Starting August 2025

Age Eligibility Criteria – 21 to 32 years (General) [Exact date of birth was provided in the 2021 notification, it will vary as per Government instructions, we will update new age criteria after the new dates of ASO are announced. (ASO Age Limit)
Upper age limit of 5 years was relaxed for Scheduled Castes (S.C.), Schedule Tribes (S.T.), Socially and Educationally Backward Classes (S.E.B.C.), Women & Ex-Servicemen
Upper age limit of 10 years was relaxed for Person with Disabilities with Disability of 40% or more
Upper age limit of 15 years was relaxed for PwD from S.C., S.T. & S.E.B.C Categories

Educational Criteria – 1) Candidates should have a Bachelors degree from any recognized university or its equivalent
2) Adequate knowledge of Computers – Windows, Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Powerpoint), MS – Access, Usage of Internet Services

Notification – 31st December 2021 – Download Now

ASO Exam Previous Year Question Papers

2012-13
Mathematics || English || Reasoning & Mental Ability || General Awareness || Essay (Odia & English) || Computer Application(Theory) || Computer Application – Skill Test 1 – Skill Test 2 – Skill Test 3
2018-19
All Questions
2021-22
English & Odia || General Awareness || Reasoning & Mental Ability || Skill Test

Mock Test – Website / App

Scheme & Syllabus of Assistant Section Officer (ASO) Exam – 2021-22

ASO Exam - English & Odia Question Paper

Skill test - Assistant Section Officer Exam

Apply Here – https://opscrecruitment.in/

Details – https://www.opsc.gov.in/

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What is the life of an Assistant Section Officer (ASO)?

An Assistant Section Officer (ASO) in the Odisha State Secretariat plays a pivotal role in ensuring the smooth functioning of administrative processes. Below is an overview of their responsibilities, career progression, and compensation details:

Roles and Responsibilities

• File Management: Initiating, processing, and maintaining official files and records.

• Drafting and Correspondence: Preparing official letters, reports, and documents.

• Coordination: Liaising between different departments to facilitate communication and workflow.

• Data Compilation: Collecting and organizing data for reports and presentations.

• Assistance to Superiors: Providing administrative support to higher officials and ensuring timely execution of tasks.

Career Progression – What is the career growth of ASO ?

The career trajectory for an ASO in the Odisha State Secretariat typically follows these stages:

1. Assistant Section Officer (ASO): Entry-level position.

2. Section Officer (SO): Promotion from ASO based on experience and performance.

3. Desk Officer: Next level after SO, involving more responsibilities.

4. Under Secretary: Higher administrative role with increased decision-making powers.

5. Deputy Secretary: Senior position overseeing multiple sections or departments.

6. Joint Secretary: Top-tier position with significant administrative authority.

Promotions are contingent upon factors such as years of service, performance reviews, and departmental requirements.

Pay Scale and Benefits – What is the salary of ASO is OPSC 2025?

As per the 7th Central Pay Commission, the remuneration details are as follows:

• Assistant Section Officer (ASO): Pay scale ranging from ₹35,400 to ₹1,12,400 per month. – Click Here

• Section Officer (SO): Pay scale ranging from ₹44,900 to ₹1,42,400 per month.

In addition to the base salary, ASOs are entitled to various allowances and benefits, including:

• Dearness Allowance (DA): A percentage of the base salary to offset inflation.

• House Rent Allowance (HRA): Assistance with housing costs, varying based on the city of posting.

• Medical Facilities: Access to healthcare services for employees and their dependents.

• Travel Allowance: Reimbursement for official travel expenses.

• Retirement Benefits: Including pension schemes and gratuity.

These components collectively enhance the overall compensation package, making the ASO position both rewarding and prestigious.

Note: Specific duties and career progression may vary based on departmental needs and individual performance.

Feature	Odisha Secretariat ASO	Odisha High Court ASO
Recruiting Body	OSSC/OPSC	Odisha High Court
Work Location	Bhubaneswar (Departments of State Secretariat)	Cuttack (Odisha High Court)
Nature of Work	Administrative & File Work	Judicial & Clerical Work
Exam Pattern	Prelims + Mains + Skill Test	Prelims + Written + Computer + Viva
Career Growth	Section Officer → Under Secretary → Deputy Secretary	Section Officer → Assistant Registrar → Deputy Registrar
Promotion Time	5–7 years	6–8 years

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ASO (Assistant Section Officer) — FAQs | OdishaCareer.com

ASO (Assistant Section Officer) — FAQs

Complete FAQ guide for ASO posts in the Odisha Secretariat and the Odisha High Court.

1. What is the full form of ASO?

ASO stands for Assistant Section Officer. It is a Group-B (Non-Gazetted) administrative post found both in the Odisha Secretariat (state departments) and the Odisha High Court. The role includes file management, drafting, coordination and other clerical/administrative duties.

2. Who conducts ASO recruitment exams in Odisha?

Recruiting bodies vary by establishment:

Odisha Secretariat ASO: Usually conducted by OSSC (Odisha Staff Selection Commission) or occasionally by OPSC (depending on official notification).
Odisha High Court ASO: Recruitment is conducted by the Odisha High Court, Cuttack through its own notifications and selection panels.

3. What are the eligibility criteria?

Nationality: Indian citizen.

Age: Typically 21–32 years. Relaxations apply for SC/ST/OBC/Women/PwD and ex-servicemen as per government rules.

Educational Qualification: A bachelor’s degree in any discipline from a recognized university. Computer literacy (basic MS Office, email) is generally required and often tested.

4. What is the selection process for Secretariat ASO?

Common stages:

Preliminary exam (objective type)
Main written exam (objective/descriptive depending on year)
Computer skill test (practical)
Document verification & medical

5. What is the selection process for High Court ASO?

Typical stages for the High Court:

Preliminary exam (qualifying objective)
Written examination
Computer application practical test
Viva-voce (interview) for final selection

6. What is the exam syllabus (Secretariat)?

Prelims generally cover: General Awareness, Reasoning & Mental Ability, Quantitative Aptitude and English. Mains include papers on General Awareness, Reasoning & Mathematics, Languages (English & Odia) and Computer Practical/Skill test topics.

7. What is the exam syllabus (High Court)?

Prelims: General English, General Awareness, Logical Reasoning & Quantitative Aptitude. Written/Descriptive: English (essay/comprehension/precis), General Awareness & Current Affairs, Reasoning, and aptitude. Computer test: MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, email, formatting and typing tasks. Viva focuses on personality and domain awareness.

8. What is the salary for ASO in Odisha?

Pay Level: Level-9 under ORSP/Pay Commission. Typical pay scale: ₹35,400 – ₹112,400. In-hand salary depends on allowances (DA, HRA) but generally ranges between ₹40,000 to ₹52,000 at joining.

9. Job responsibilities (Secretariat)

Includes maintaining official files, drafting notes and letters, assisting higher officers, coordinating between departments, preparing reports and handling confidential correspondence.

10. Job responsibilities (High Court)

Managing court files and case registers, preparing cause lists and orders, assisting judicial officers, interacting with advocates and litigants, and ensuring the smooth flow of judicial documents.

11. Differences between Secretariat ASO & High Court ASO

Key differences include recruiting body (OSSC/OPSC vs High Court), nature of work (administrative vs judicial-clerical), posting location (Bhubaneswar vs Cuttack), and selection pattern (mains and different skill tests). Promotion paths and day-to-day duties vary accordingly.

12. Promotion hierarchy (Secretariat)

Typical progression: ASO → Section Officer (SO) → Desk Officer → Under Secretary → Deputy Secretary → Joint Secretary → Additional Secretary → Secretary (depending on vacancies and performance)

13. Is Odia language compulsory?

Yes. Candidates are expected to have a working knowledge of Odia (reading, writing, speaking). Many notifications require passing Odia at class 10 level or equivalent, or proof of proficiency.

14. Exam difficulty level

Secretariat ASO: Moderate (comparable to SSC/State-level competitive exams). High Court ASO: Slightly tougher English and comprehension emphasis; higher focus on accuracy for judicial documentation.

15. Preparation tips

Follow the official syllabus; read newspapers daily (Odia & English); practice reasoning & aptitude; solve past papers and mocks; strengthen MS Office skills and typing; revise Odisha-specific government schemes and administrative structure.

16. Is there negative marking?

Most recent patterns include negative marking (commonly 0.25 marks deducted per wrong objective answer). Candidates should check the specific notification for exact rules.

17. Exam durations

Typical durations: Prelims – 90 minutes; Each main paper – 90 to 120 minutes depending on the paper; Computer practical – 30 to 60 minutes; Viva – 10 to 20 minutes (if applicable).

18. Can one apply for both Secretariat and High Court ASO simultaneously?

Yes. They are independent recruitments and an eligible candidate may apply for both to increase selection chances. Check date overlaps before applying.

19. Posting locations

Secretariat ASO: Usually posted in Bhubaneswar (Lok Seva Bhawan / Secretariat Departments) or directorates across the state. High Court ASO: Posted at Odisha High Court, Cuttack.

20. Work-life balance & benefits

Fixed government hours, public holidays, leave benefits, pension under NPS, medical allowances, travel/festival allowances and a generally stable work-life balance compared to private sector roles.

21. Exam frequency

Secretariat ASO: Every 2–3 years typically (depends on vacancies). High Court ASO: Every 3–4 years or as vacancies arise. Refer to official notifications for exact schedules.

22. Transfers & career prospects

Secretariat ASOs may work across departments (Finance, Home, Health, Education). High Court ASOs can be promoted into higher court administration roles and may be deputed to other judicial administrative functions.

23. Can ASOs prepare for OAS/OPSC while in service?

Yes. Many ASOs prepare for Odisha Administrative Service (OAS) or other state civil services alongside their job due to predictable working hours and stable routine.

24. Retirement age

Standard retirement age is 60 years, as per Government of Odisha service rules.

25. Why ASO is a desirable job in Odisha?

Because it offers stable government employment, respectable pay, clear career ladder, transfer and diversity of postings, predictable working hours and social standing.

FAQ’s (Frequently Asked Questions)

What is the full form of ASO? – ASO full form is Assistant Section Officer
What is the career growth of ASO ? What is the salary of ASO is OPSC 2025 – Answered above

ASO (Assistant Section Officer) Exam