Odisha Makes Computer Proficiency Mandatory for Job Aspirants

Bhubaneswar, Jan 31 : The Odisha Government has made basic computer proficiency mandatory for candidates applying to government jobs and has directed all departments and district authorities to strictly enforce computer qualification norms in recruitment processes.

In an official communication issued by the Electronics & Information Technology (E&IT) Department on January 27, 2026, all government departments, Heads of Departments, Revenue Divisional Commissioners and District Collectors were instructed to ensure uniform compliance of prescribed computer qualification rules in government, semi-government and Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs).

The communication reiterates an earlier government notification dated February 8, 2021, which clarified the recognition of computer qualifications for recruitment purposes. As per the notification, the Odisha State Certificate in Information Technology (OS-CIT), conducted by the Odisha Knowledge Corporation Limited (OKCL), is recognised as valid proof of basic computer proficiency required for government employment.

The letter further clarified that wherever qualifications such as PGDCA or DCA from UGC- or AICTE-recognised institutions, or NIELIT ‘O’ Level certification, are prescribed as essential computer qualifications, the OS-CIT course shall be treated as an equivalent qualification.

The government has emphasised that the clarification must be implemented uniformly by all recruiting authorities to prevent discrepancies during recruitment examinations and document verification stages. Officials have been asked to ensure that eligible candidates are not denied opportunities due to misinterpretation or non-implementation of existing government orders.

The move is expected to remove confusion among job aspirants, ensure equal opportunities for candidates with state-recognised computer certifications, and bring greater transparency and consistency to the recruitment process across Odisha.