Odisha APO 2026: Syllabus, Previous Year Papers & Bare Acts

Exam pattern and stages

1. Preliminary examination (2026 scheme): One objective paper of 100 marks (100 questions, 1 mark each) in 2 hours, with 25% negative marking; screening only, marks not counted in the final merit; up to 10 times the vacancies in each category are admitted to the main examination.

   Paper	Questions	Marks	Duration
   Preliminary paper (MCQ) OMR or computer-based test as decided by the Commission; qualifying marks fixed by the Commission for each category	100	100	2 hours

2. Main (written) examination (2026 scheme): Four subjective, descriptive papers of 150 marks each (600 in all); the Commission fixes qualifying marks per paper and/or in aggregate; candidates are shortlisted for the personality test in the ratio 1:2 of vacancies, subject to a minimum of 5.

   Paper	Questions	Marks	Duration
   Paper I: General English		150	2.5 hours
   Paper II: Criminal Major Laws		150	3 hours
   Paper III: Criminal Minor Laws		150	3 hours
   Paper IV: Miscellaneous Laws		150	3 hours

3. Personality test / interview (2026 scheme): 50 marks; the written examination and personality test together make the 650-mark merit list.

   Paper	Questions	Marks	Duration
   Personality test / interview		50

Syllabus

Paper by paper, as the official syllabus lists it.

Preliminary examination (100 marks; LL.B. standard)

• The Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 and Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 · Read the act
• The Indian Penal Code, 1860 and Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 · Read the act
• The Indian Evidence Act, 1872 and Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, 2023 · Read the act

Main examination: Paper I General English (150 marks)

• Translation from English to Odia
• Translation from Odia to English
• Essay
• Precis writing
• Comprehension

Main examination: Paper II Criminal Major Laws (150 marks)

• The Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 and Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 · Read the act
• The Indian Evidence Act, 1872 and Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, 2023 · Read the act
• Indian Penal Code, 1860 and Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 · Read the act

Main examination: Paper III Criminal Minor Laws (150 marks)

• The Arms Act, 1959 and Rules framed thereunder · Read the act
• The Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961 · Read the act
• The Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940 · Read the act
• The Odisha Excise Act, 2008 and Rules framed thereunder
• The Explosives Act, 1884 and Explosive Substances Act, 1908 · Read the act
• The Odisha Electricity Supply Line Material (Unlawful Possession) Act, 1989
• The Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 · Read the act
• The Odisha Forest Act, 1972 and the Orissa Timber and other Forest Produce Transit Rules, 1980
• The Information Technology (Amendment) Act, 2008 · Read the act
• The Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act, 1956 · Read the act
• The Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015 and Rules framed thereunder · Read the act
• The Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 · Read the act
• The Odisha Minor Minerals (Prevention of Theft, Smuggling and other Unlawful Activities) Act, 1989
• The Probation of Offenders Act, 1958 · Read the act
• The Odisha Prevention of Cow Slaughter Act, 1960
• The Wild Life Protection Act, 1972

Main examination: Paper IV Miscellaneous Laws (150 marks)

• Drafting of petitions, pleadings and argument
• Law of Torts
• The Indian Contract Act, 1872 · Read the act
• The Transfer of Property Act, 1882 · Read the act
• The Indian Limitation Act, 1963 · Read the act
• The Interpretation of Statutes

Bare Acts for this exam

27 acts tagged for Odisha APO. Each opens section by section, free to read.

Central acts

• Arms Act, 1959
• Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023
• Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023
• Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, 2023
• Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973
• Constitution of India
• Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961
• Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940
• Explosive Substances Act, 1908
• Explosives Act, 1884
• Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006
• General Clauses Act, 1897
• Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act, 1956
• Indian Contract Act, 1872
• Indian Evidence Act, 1872
• Indian Penal Code, 1860
• Information Technology Act, 2000
• Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015
• Limitation Act, 1963
• Motor Vehicles Act, 1988
• Probation of Offenders Act, 1958
• Transfer of Property Act, 1882
• Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972

Odisha acts

• Odisha Excise Act, 2008 (coming soon)
• Odisha Forest Act, 1972 (coming soon)
• Odisha Minerals (Prevention of Theft, Smuggling and other Unlawful Activities) Act, 1989 (coming soon)
• Odisha Prevention of Cow Slaughter Act, 1960 (coming soon)

Old law → new law tables: IPC → BNS · CrPC → BNSS · Evidence Act → BSA

Previous year papers

No papers for this exam yet. See every exam's papers.

Eligibility

Bachelor's degree in Law from a recognised university and at least 2 years of experience as a practising advocate (certificate from the District and Sessions Judge and enrolment certificate required), per the 2026 advertisement. At least 21 and not above 42 years on 1 January 2026 (per the 2026 advertisement); upper limit relaxed by 5 years for SEBC, SC, ST, women and ex-servicemen and by 10 years for persons with disabilities of 40% or more (cumulative 15 years for PwD belonging to SEBC/SC/ST). Citizen of India Able to speak, read and write Odia; passed the Middle School Odia test or matriculation with Odia as a subject Good character and sound health; not more than one spouse living Government servants may apply with a No Objection Certificate

Relaxations, attempts and category rules are in each cycle's notification.

Odisha APO: frequently asked questions

What is the pattern of the Odisha APO exam?

Odisha Assistant Public Prosecutor Examination has 3 stages. Preliminary examination (2026 scheme): One objective paper of 100 marks (100 questions, 1 mark each) in 2 hours, with 25% negative marking; screening only, marks not counted in the final merit; up to 10 times the vacancies in each category are admitted to the main examination. Papers: Preliminary paper (MCQ): 100 questions, 100 marks, 2 hours. Main (written) examination (2026 scheme): Four subjective, descriptive papers of 150 marks each (600 in all); the Commission fixes qualifying marks per paper and/or in aggregate; candidates are shortlisted for the personality test in the ratio 1:2 of vacancies, subject to a minimum of 5. Papers: Paper I: General English: 150 marks, 2.5 hours; Paper II: Criminal Major Laws: 150 marks, 3 hours; Paper III: Criminal Minor Laws: 150 marks, 3 hours; Paper IV: Miscellaneous Laws: 150 marks, 3 hours. Personality test / interview (2026 scheme): 50 marks; the written examination and personality test together make the 650-mark merit list. Papers: Personality test / interview: 50 marks.

Is there negative marking in Odisha APO?

Preliminary examination: 25% of the marks for a correct answer is deducted for each wrong response; nothing for unattempted questions.

In which language is the Odisha APO exam held?

Main examination papers are answered in English except the translation into Odia; the General English paper is of degree standard and the other papers of LL.B. standard.

Who is eligible for Odisha APO?

Bachelor's degree in Law from a recognised university and at least 2 years of experience as a practising advocate (certificate from the District and Sessions Judge and enrolment certificate required), per the 2026 advertisement. At least 21 and not above 42 years on 1 January 2026 (per the 2026 advertisement); upper limit relaxed by 5 years for SEBC, SC, ST, women and ex-servicemen and by 10 years for persons with disabilities of 40% or more (cumulative 15 years for PwD belonging to SEBC/SC/ST). Citizen of India Able to speak, read and write Odia; passed the Middle School Odia test or matriculation with Odia as a subject Good character and sound health; not more than one spouse living Government servants may apply with a No Objection Certificate The notification for each cycle has the full conditions and relaxations.

Where is the Odisha APO notification published?

Odisha Public Service Commission, Cuttack publishes the notification, dates and results on its official website, opsc.gov.in. Check it for the current cycle.

Which bare acts are in the Odisha APO syllabus?

27 acts are tagged for Odisha APO here, including the Arms Act, 1959, Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, 2023, Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973, Constitution of India, Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961, Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940 and more. Each can be read section by section.