Bhubaneswar: The Odisha Higher Education Department has invited applications for its Free Residential UPSC Civil Services Coaching Programme 2026-27, offering comprehensive coaching and residential facilities to 200 eligible aspirants domiciled in the state.
The initiative aims to support deserving candidates preparing for the prestigious Civil Services Examination conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC).
According to a notification issued by the department, selected candidates will receive free coaching, accommodation and food for a period of 11 months to prepare for both the UPSC Civil Services Preliminary and Main examinations.
200 Seats Available for Odisha-Domiciled Aspirants
The programme will admit a total of 200 candidates through a competitive selection process.
Only candidates who are domiciled in Odisha will be eligible to avail themselves of the benefits offered under the scheme.
The state government has designed the programme to provide quality coaching and support facilities to talented aspirants who may otherwise face financial constraints in accessing professional UPSC preparation.
Selection Through Entrance Examination
Admission to the coaching programme will be based on performance in a pre-qualifying entrance examinationscheduled to be held on June 28, 2026.
Candidates who qualify in the entrance test will be considered for admission to the residential coaching programme.
The examination will serve as the primary screening mechanism to identify meritorious candidates for the limited seats available.
Application Process Begins
The Higher Education Department has announced that the Common Application Form (CAF) will be made available through the admission system portal from Monday.
Interested candidates can submit their applications online through the designated portal.
Important Dates
Event
Date
Online application begins
June 9, 2026
Last date to apply
June 19, 2026
Admit card release
June 24, 2026
Entrance examination
June 28, 2026
Application Fee
Candidates applying for the programme will be required to pay an application fee of ₹100 while submitting the online application form.
Officials stated that applications will be accepted only through the online mode.
Admit Cards to Be Released on June 24
Admit cards for the entrance examination will be available from June 24, 2026.
Applicants will be able to download their admit cards through the relevant admission and higher education portals.
Candidates have been advised to regularly check official notifications for further updates regarding examination centres and instructions.
What Facilities Will Selected Candidates Receive?
Candidates selected under the programme will receive:
- Free residential UPSC coaching.
- Free accommodation.
- Free food and boarding facilities.
- Guidance for UPSC Preliminary Examination.
- Coaching for UPSC Main Examination.
- Structured preparation support for approximately 11 months.
The programme is aimed at enhancing the representation of Odisha candidates in the country’s premier civil services.
Boost for Civil Services Aspirants
The free residential coaching initiative has emerged as one of Odisha’s key efforts to support aspirants preparing for competitive examinations.
By covering coaching expenses as well as living costs, the programme seeks to create a level playing field for talented students from different socio-economic backgrounds.
Officials believe the initiative will help more candidates from Odisha compete effectively in the highly competitive UPSC Civil Services Examination and pursue careers in the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Police Service (IPS), Indian Foreign Service (IFS) and other central services.
Read also: UP Free IAS/PCS Coaching Scheme Receives 5,513 Applications; Entrance Exam Scheduled for July 5
