1. Introduction - From a PWD Perspective

For thousands of Persons with Disabilities (PWD) aspirants in Odisha, government jobs remain one of the most stable and dignified career options. However, not every recruitment is practically suitable for PWD candidates.

The OSSSC CRE Recruitment 2026 for Forester, Forest Guard and Excise Constable is a major hiring drive with 1518 vacancies. But from a disability inclusion point of view, this recruitment is highly restrictive.

This article explains honestly and clearly:

  • Which posts are realistically open for PWD candidates
  • Which disability categories are eligible
  • Where PWD applicants are legally excluded
  • What relaxations and benefits apply

If you are a PWD job seeker, this guide will help you decide-without confusion-whether this recruitment is worth applying for.

2. Official Job Overview

DetailInformation
OrganizationOdisha Subordinate Staff Selection Commission (OSSSC)
PostsForester, Forest Guard, Excise Constable
Total Vacancies1518
Qualification10th / 12th Pass (post-wise)
Age Limit18-32 years (post-wise)
Application ModeOnline
Selection ProcessWritten Test + Physical Test
Application Start07-01-2026
Application Last Date15-02-2026
Official Websitewww.osssc.gov.in

3. PWD-Specific Eligibility Analysis (Most Important Section)

This recruitment must be understood carefully from a disability perspective.

A. Forester & Forest Guard Posts - PWD Eligibility

Official Rule from Notification:

“No Persons with Disabilities shall be eligible for these posts except Leprosy Cured Persons and Acid Attack Victims.”

What This Means Practically

For Forester and Forest Guard posts:

Disability CategoryEligible?
Locomotor Disability (OH)❌ Not Eligible
Visual Impairment (VH)❌ Not Eligible
Hearing Impairment (HH)❌ Not Eligible
Intellectual Disability❌ Not Eligible
Multiple Disabilities❌ Not Eligible
Leprosy Cured Persons✅ Eligible
Acid Attack Victims✅ Eligible

These posts involve:

  • Field duty
  • Forest patrolling
  • Long-distance walking
  • Physically demanding tasks

Because of this nature of work, the department has restricted PWD participation almost completely.

B. Excise Constable Post - PWD Eligibility

For Excise Constable, the rule is even stricter.

The notification clearly states:

“Candidates with disability or deformity are not eligible for Excise Constable.”

This means:

NO PWD CATEGORY IS ELIGIBLE FOR EXCISE CONSTABLE POST.

Regardless of percentage or type of disability, PWD candidates cannot apply for this post.

Final Summary of Eligibility

PostPWD Allowed?
ForesterOnly Leprosy Cured & Acid Attack Victims
Forest GuardOnly Leprosy Cured & Acid Attack Victims
Excise ConstableNot allowed for any PWD category

4. Benchmark Disability Criteria

Wherever PWD candidates are allowed (only for limited categories in Forester & Forest Guard):

  • Disability must be 40% or more
  • Valid Permanent Disability Certificate or UDID Card is mandatory
  • Certificate must be issued by a competent Medical Board

Without these documents, PWD benefits will not be granted.

5. Reservations, Relaxations & Benefits for Eligible PWDs

Although eligibility is highly restricted, some benefits do exist for those who are allowed.

Age Relaxation

  • 10 years upper age relaxation for PWD candidates
  • If belonging to SC/ST/SEBC + PWD → cumulative relaxation is allowed as per Odisha rules

Application Fee

  • Complete fee exemption for PWD applicants
  • General candidates: ₹500
  • PWD: ₹0

Exam Concessions

For eligible PWD candidates:

  • Extra time: 20 minutes per hour in written test
  • Scribe facility: Allowed with prior permission

However, these concessions will apply only to those disability categories that are permitted to apply.

6. Realistic Job Suitability Check

Let us be completely practical.

Nature of Work

Forester / Forest Guard

  • Outdoor field duty
  • Walking long distances
  • Forest surveillance
  • Patrolling in difficult terrain
  • Emergency response

Excise Constable

  • Law enforcement duty
  • Raids and field operations
  • Physical endurance requirements

Practical Reality

These roles are heavily physical in nature. Therefore:

  • They are not desk jobs
  • They require running, walking, stamina, and full physical mobility
  • That is the main reason most PWD categories are excluded

7. Who Should Apply - Honest Recommendation

You SHOULD consider applying only if:

  • You are a Leprosy Cured Person
  • You are an Acid Attack Victim
  • You meet physical standards required
  • You can perform walking tests and field duties

You should AVOID applying if:

  • You belong to OH / VH / HH / ID categories
  • You have locomotor disability
  • You need assistive mobility devices
  • You are visually or hearing impaired

For such candidates, this recruitment is unfortunately not suitable.

8. How to Apply - PWD-Focused Guidance

Step-by-Step Process

  1. Visit www.osssc.gov.in
  2. Complete online registration
  3. Select appropriate post
  4. Upload required documents
  5. Declare PWD status (if applicable)
  6. Upload Disability Certificate / UDID
  7. Submit application

Documents PWD Candidates Must Prepare

  • UDID Card or Permanent Disability Certificate
  • Recent photograph and signature
  • Educational certificates
  • Category certificate (if applicable)
  • Medical Board documents

9. Selection Process - What PWDs Must Know

Selection consists of:

  1. Written Test
  2. Physical Standard Measurement
  3. Physical Efficiency Test
  4. Document Verification

Important Reality

Even if a PWD candidate qualifies written exam, they must still clear:

  • Height standards
  • Chest measurements
  • Long-distance walking/running tests

This makes the recruitment highly challenging for most PWD applicants.

10. Salary & Career Outlook

PostPay Scale
Forester₹25,500 - ₹81,100
Forest Guard₹19,900 - ₹63,200
Excise Constable₹19,900 - ₹63,200

Career is stable with government benefits, but suitability depends entirely on physical capability.

11. Pros & Cons for PWD Applicants

Pros

  • Good government salary
  • Job security
  • Age relaxation
  • Fee exemption

Cons

  • Extremely limited eligibility
  • Physically demanding roles
  • Most PWD categories excluded
  • No desk-based alternatives

12. Application Checklist for Eligible PWDs

  • Valid UDID / Disability Certificate
  • Proof of Leprosy Cured / Acid Attack Victim status
  • Educational documents
  • Identity proof
  • Recent medical records
  • Physical fitness readiness

13. Conclusion - Practical Final Advice

This recruitment is not a PWD-friendly opportunity in general.

Only a very small section of PWD candidates are eligible:

  • Leprosy Cured Persons
  • Acid Attack Victims

All other disability categories are effectively excluded due to job nature and rules.

If you do not fall in the above two categories, it is better to focus on:

  • Clerical posts
  • Office-based Group C & D jobs
  • Bank, SSC, Railways, state secretariat recruitments

Those options provide far better inclusion and accessibility.

14. Frequently Asked Questions (PWD-Centric)

Q1. I have locomotor disability of 45%. Can I apply?

No. Locomotor disability candidates are not eligible for any of the three posts.

Q2. Are hearing impaired candidates allowed?

No. Hearing impaired candidates are not eligible.

Q3. Is any PWD category eligible for Excise Constable?

No. PWD candidates are completely ineligible for Excise Constable.

Q4. Who exactly can apply as PWD?

Only:

  • Leprosy Cured Persons
  • Acid Attack Victims
    (for Forester and Forest Guard posts)

Q5. Will I get scribe facility?

Only if you are in an eligible PWD category and have proper certification.

Q6. Is my certificate from another state valid?

Official notification does not specify this - candidate should confirm with recruiting authority before applying.

Apply Now

Apply Link: https://www.osssc.gov.in