Bhubaneswar, Sept 4:
The journey of becoming a civil servant in Odisha has always been considered one of the most prestigious and challenging pursuits. This year, hundreds of bright aspirants have crossed a major milestone by clearing the Odisha Civil Services (OAS & allied services) written examination, and are now preparing for the most crucial and decisive stage—the Personality Test (Interview).
At this defining juncture, the Institute for Civil Services, Skills & Social Research (ICSSSR), Odisha, a leading non-governmental organization dedicated to nurturing future administrators, has stepped forward with an initiative to guide aspirants toward success. The directors and mentors of ICSSSR have warmly congratulated all successful candidates and announced the launch of a Mock Interview Programme, tailored to replicate the official OPSC interview environment.
A Structured Approach to Confidence and Clarity
The four-day programme is designed to help aspirants refine their personality, communication, and decision-making skills—qualities that are rigorously assessed by the OPSC Interview Board. Unlike mere test preparation, the focus here is on cultivating a calm, balanced, and composed personality that reflects administrative maturity.
Key highlights of the initiative include:
Realistic Interview Simulation: A near-authentic recreation of the OPSC interview experience.
Personalized Feedback: Each candidate receives individual guidance from experienced mentors.
Personality Development & Current Affairs: Targeted sessions to polish confidence and awareness.
Guidance from Distinguished Mentors
What makes the ICSSSR initiative unique is its panel of interviewers. The mock sessions will be conducted by an eminent board of academicians, subject experts, and retired IAS/IPS officers—mentors who have long supported IAS and OAS aspirants with a proven record of success.
The distinguished team includes:
Dr. Gopabandhu Mallick, I.P.S (Retd.), ADGP (Retd.)
Dr. Susanta Das, Eminent Physicist & Educationist
Dr. Sarat Ch. Behera, Former Member, Press Council of India
Their combined experience offers aspirants a rare opportunity to gain insights into the expectations of the OPSC board, while receiving constructive, practical feedback to improve performance.
Preparing for the Final Step
The mock interview programme is set to commence from 6th September 2025, giving aspirants sufficient time to refine their skills before the official interviews. Each candidate will undergo four days of intensive preparation, ensuring that they walk into the OPSC boardroom with confidence and composure.
Speaking on the initiative, the mentors emphasized that the interview is not just about academic knowledge, but about demonstrating clarity of thought, balanced judgment, ethical grounding, and the ability to communicate effectively—qualities that define a capable civil servant.
A Call to Aspirants
In congratulating the successful candidates, ICSSSR’s directors have urged aspirants to take full advantage of this rare and structured opportunity. “This programme is more than just preparation; it is a transformative experience aimed at shaping confident and capable future administrators of Odisha,” said the mentors in a joint statement.
For registration and further details, aspirants can directly contact the organizers at the following numbers:
Dr. Gopabandhu Mallick, I.P.S (Retd.), ADGP (Retd.) – 9114310701
Dr. Susanta Das, Eminent Physicist & Educationist – 9439162961
Dr. Sarat Ch. Behera, Former Member, Press Council of India – 9437437777
As Odisha awaits its next generation of civil servants, initiatives like these remind us that success is not only about hard work but also about the right guidance at the right time.
