Odisha fireman recruitment: eligibility, physical test, pay and training under the 2021 rules
Updated By Flamekite Editorial DeskFacts checked against official sources on
Odisha fireman recruitment under the 2021 Group C rules: +2 and Odia, age 18 to 25, 168 cm, a 1.6 km run in 7 minutes, Level-4 pay of Rs 19,900-63,200.
Quick answer
Odisha recruits Firemen and Fireman Drivers directly under the Odisha Fire Service (Methods of Recruitment and Conditions of Service of the Group 'C' Officers) Rules, 2021, through a Recruitment Board chaired by an IG of Police, Fire Service. You need the +2, Odia, an age of 18 to 25 on 1 January of the advertisement year, and for men outside SC and ST 168 cm, 55 kg and a 79 to 84 cm chest. The rules bar women and persons with disabilities.
Selection is a 100-mark written test with 0.25 negative marking, then qualifying physical events such as a 1.6 km run in 7 minutes and 100 m swimming in 8. Pay is Level-4, Rs 19,900-63,200, after 9 months' training and on 2 years' probation. The last drive reported was 941 posts in September 2023; Flamekite could not open the directorate's own advertisements.
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Odisha fireman recruitment at a glance
| What | The rule | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Rules | Odisha Fire Service (Methods of Recruitment and Conditions of Service of the Group 'C' Officers) Rules, 2021, notification 30030 of 25 August 2021 | Odisha Group C rules |
| Posts recruited directly | Fireman and Fireman Driver; 10% of advertised vacancies from eligible Home Guards | Odisha Group C rules |
| Recruitment Board | Chaired by an officer not below IG of Police, Fire Service | Odisha Group C rules |
| Appointing authority | Fire Officer of the Range | Odisha Group C rules |
| Education | +2 (CHSE Odisha or equivalent) and Odia | Odisha Group C rules |
| Age | 18 to 25 on 1 January of the advertisement year; Home Guards up to 30 | Odisha Group C rules |
| Who may not apply | Women and persons with disabilities (rule 6(2)) | Odisha Group C rules |
| Written test | 100 marks, 120 minutes, objective, 0.25 negative marking | Odisha Group C rules |
| Pay | Rs 19,900-63,200, Level-4 (RSP-2017) | Odisha Group C rules |
| Training | 9 months' basic course, plus a 30-working-day driving course for a Fireman | Odisha Group C rules |
| Probation | 2 years for direct recruits | Odisha Group C rules |
| Select list | Valid 1 year; no waiting list | Odisha Group C rules |
Can you apply for an Odisha fireman post?
Rule 6 of the 2021 rules decides it. Find the line that fits you.
IfYou are a man aged 18 to 25 on 1 January of the advertisement year, with the +2 and Odia
You meet the core of rule 6(1); the physical standard and tests come next. Odisha Group C rules
IfYou are a woman or a person with a disability
Rule 6(2) makes you not eligible for recruitment into the Fire Service. Odisha Group C rules
IfYou are a Home Guard
10% of the vacancies are yours if you have 3 years' unbroken enrolment, the basic Home Guard course, and are not over 30. Odisha Group C rules
IfYou want the Fireman Driver post
You also need a heavy motor vehicle licence held for at least 1 year, not counting the learning period. Odisha Group C rules
IfYou did not study Odia
Pass the Board of Secondary Education's M.E. school standard Odia test, one of the three routes rule 6(1)(g) allows. Odisha Group C rules
IfYou are SC, ST, SEBC, a sportsperson or an ex-serviceman
The upper age limit and reservation follow the Government's orders for each category (rules 6 and 9). Odisha Group C rules
Odisha fireman height, weight and chest
The minimum physical standard in rule 6(1)(h). It is qualifying: no marks, but miss one figure and you are out.
| Height | Weight | Chest unexpanded | Chest expanded | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unreserved and SEBC (men) Odisha Group C rules | 168 cm | 55 kg | 79 cm | 84 cm |
| SC and ST (men) Odisha Group C rules | 163 cm | 50 kg | 76 cm | 81 cm |
Other states and CISF set different figures; see the all-India fireman page for a side-by-side table.
Odisha fireman physical efficiency test events
Seven events under rule 14, all qualifying. A candidate who fails any one is not allowed to the next.
- Load carrying (Fireman only): a 63 kg sand bag over 100 m within 60 seconds. Odisha Group C rules
- Rope climbing (Fireman only): 6 m from the ground using the hands only, in at most 3 attempts. Odisha Group C rules
- Swimming: 100 m within 8 minutes, for Fireman and Fireman Driver. Odisha Group C rules
- Run: 1.6 km within 7 minutes. Odisha Group C rules
- High jump: 1.22 m, with 3 chances. Odisha Group C rules
- Broad jump: 3.66 m, with 3 chances. Odisha Group C rules
- Cross country: 5 km within 25 minutes. Odisha Group C rules
Odisha fireman selection, step by step
From the advertisement to the training ground, in the order the rules set.
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The Director General fixes the year's vacancies with Government approval; the Board advertises in at least 2 dailies on 2 consecutive days. Odisha Group C rules
Written test, 100 marks
English and Odia, General Studies, Computer fundamentals and IT skills in 120 minutes; Fireman Drivers add a trade paper. 0.25 is deducted per wrong answer. Odisha Group C rules
Shortlist
Up to 3 times the vacancies in each category, in order of written marks, go to the physical tests. Odisha Group C rules
Physical standard and PET
Both qualifying; NCC certificates add 1 (A), 2 (B) or 3 (C) marks. Fireman Drivers take a qualifying driving test on heavy and light vehicles. Odisha Group C rules
Medical screening
By an officer not below SDMO: knock knee, bow legs, flat foot, varicose veins, squint, colour blindness and similar defects disqualify. Odisha Group C rules
Select list and appointment
The Director approves the merit list; it is valid 1 year with no waiting list, and the Range Fire Officer appoints. Odisha Group C rules
Training and probation
9 months at the Odisha Fire and Disaster Response Academy, Bhubaneswar, the Institute at Naraj, Cuttack, or OSWALI, Ramachandi; 2 years' probation. Odisha Group C rules
Odisha fireman salary and pay levels by rank
Schedule-1 of the 2021 rules gives every Group C fire rank its pay scale. Allowances are added under the State's orders and are not printed there.
As published
- FiremanRs 19,900-63,200Level-4; earlier PB-1 Rs 5,200-20,200 + GP Rs 1,900 Odisha Group C rules
- Fireman DriverRs 19,900-63,200Level-4 Odisha Group C rules
- Helper FiremanRs 19,900-63,200Level-4 Odisha Group C rules
- Leading Fireman, Havildar MechanicRs 23,600-74,800Level-6 Odisha Group C rules
- Driver HavildarRs 25,500-81,100Level-7 from 1 September 2017 (Level-6 from 1 January 2016) Odisha Group C rules
- Havildar Major, Assistant Station OfficerRs 25,500-81,100Level-7 Odisha Group C rules
No annual increment is allowed until the basic training is passed (rule 18(4)). Pay levels are the Odisha Revised Scales of Pay, 2017.
Odisha fire service ranks a fireman can rise to
Rule 3 lists 8 Group C posts; two are entry posts and the rest are filled by option or promotion.
Entry
Fireman
Direct recruitment; Level-4. Odisha Group C rules
Entry
Fireman Driver
Direct recruitment with an HMV licence; Level-4. Odisha Group C rules
By option
Helper Fireman
Filled by a Fireman or Fireman Driver who opts for it. Odisha Group C rules
After 5 years
Leading Fireman
A Fireman with 5 years' service after the Fireman course, a good record and fitness; Level-6. Odisha Group C rules
Promotion
Driver Havildar, Havildar Mechanic
Promotion posts on the Driver and mechanic side; Level-7 and Level-6. Odisha Group C rules
Promotion
Assistant Station Officer, Havildar Major
The top Group C posts, appointed by the IG, Fire Service; Level-7. Odisha Group C rules
Odisha fireman recruitment terms
Words from the 2021 rules a candidate meets in an Odisha notice.
- Group 'C' Officers
- The 8 non-gazetted fire ranks, from Fireman to Havildar Major, the 2021 rules cover. Odisha Group C rules
- Fire Officer of the Range
- The appointing authority for a Fireman or Fireman Driver. Odisha Group C rules
- Recruitment Board
- IG of Police, Fire Service (chair), a CFO, a Fire Officer, the CDMO or nominee and the District Welfare Officer. Odisha Group C rules
- SEBC
- Socially and Educationally Backward Classes under the Odisha State Commission for Backward Classes Act, 1993. Odisha Group C rules
- M.E. school standard Odia
- The Board of Secondary Education's Odia test, for candidates who did not study Odia. Odisha Group C rules
- Select list
- The Board's merit list once the Director approves it; valid for 1 year. Odisha Group C rules
Odisha fireman recruitment rules and drives, 2007 to 2025
The orders and rules on the Home Department's page, and the two drives reported since 2021.
26 February 2007
The Odisha Fire Service (Method of Recruitment of Firemen) Order, 2006 is issued (No. 376). Odisha Home Department
17 January 2012
The Fireman Driver recruitment and conditions of service rules of 2011 are issued (No. 59). Odisha Home Department
25 August 2021
The Group C rules are signed (No. 30030): Fireman and Fireman Driver by a 100-mark test and qualifying PET. Odisha Group C rules
1 to 30 September 2023
Online applications for 826 Fireman and 115 Fireman Driver posts, as reported. OrissaPOSTnews report
23 August 2025
911 firefighters pass out; the Chief Minister says 300 more posts will be filled by the end of 2025, as reported. OrissaPOSTnews report
Odisha fire service jobs in numbers
The 2021 rules' fixed figures, and the reported size of recent drives.
100
Marks in the written test, in 120 minutes Odisha Group C rules
10 %
Of advertised vacancies kept for eligible Home Guards Odisha Group C rules
941
Fireman and Fireman Driver posts in the September 2023 drive (reported) OrissaPOSTnews report
911
Firefighters at the August 2025 passing-out parade (reported) OrissaPOSTnews report
346
Fire stations in Odisha, as stated in August 2025 (reported) OrissaPOSTnews report
Odisha fireman recruitment myths
You may have read
The PET is scored, so a strong run makes up for a weak jump.
Myth
What the sources say
Every PET event is qualifying; fail one and your candidature ends (rule 14). Odisha Group C rules
You may have read
A long waiting list follows each drive.
Myth
What the sources say
Rule 16 says there shall be no waiting list, and the select list lapses after 1 year. Odisha Group C rules
You may have read
Women can apply for Fireman in Odisha.
Myth
What the sources say
Rule 6(2) of the 2021 rules makes women and persons with disabilities not eligible. Odisha Group C rules
You may have read
Training marks do not matter once selected.
Myth
What the sources say
Seniority counts recruitment marks and the training final exam in the ratio 1:2 (rule 19). Odisha Group C rules
Where Odisha fireman rules and notices are published
The Home Department's page carries the rules; the Fire Service directorate's site carries advertisements but failed its security check on 29 October 2026.
Rules
Home Department: Fire Service recruitment rules
The 2021 Group C rules, the 2011 Fireman Driver rules and the 2006 Firemen Order, as PDFs. Odisha Home Department
home.odisha.gov.in/en/branch/fire-service/recruitment-rulesRead first
Group C rules, 2021 (No. 30030)
Eligibility, tests, training, promotion and the Schedule-1 pay table. Odisha Group C rules
home.odisha.gov.in/sites/default/files/2021-11/30030.pdf
Odisha fireman vacancy 2026: what is known
From news reports, not yet an official source.
No dated 2026 Odisha fireman advertisement could be read on 29 October 2026. These are the latest reports, labelled as news.
8 September 2023
941 posts advertised, 826 Fireman and 115 Fireman Driver, with applications from 1 to 30 September 2023 at a Level-4 pay of Rs 19,900. OrissaPOSTnews report
23 August 2025
At the passing-out parade of 911 firefighters the Chief Minister promises 300 more posts by December 2025 and a Rs 10 crore training simulator. OrissaPOSTnews report
What Flamekite could not confirm about Odisha fireman jobs
If The 2023 advertisement itself, and any 2025 or 2026 one
The directorate's recruitment site failed its security certificate check on 29 October 2026; post counts above are as reported. Check the site before applying. OrissaPOSTnews report
If Whether the 300 posts promised for 2025 were advertised
No notice found; treat it as an announcement only. OrissaPOSTnews report
If The exam fee
Rule 10 leaves it to the Board with the Home Department, so it is set in each advertisement; SC and ST pay nothing. Odisha Group C rules
If Whether the 2006 Order and 2011 Driver rules still apply in part
Both remain listed on the Home Department's page beside the 2021 rules; the 2021 rules' tests are the ones used on this page. Odisha Home Department
Questions about Odisha fireman recruitment
What is the age limit for Odisha fireman recruitment?
What is the height for Odisha fireman?
What is the Odisha fireman salary?
Can women apply for fireman in Odisha?
What is the Odisha fireman physical test?
What is the Odisha fireman exam pattern?
Where is Odisha fireman training held?
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Sources
Each source was opened and read on the date shown. How Flamekite checks its sources
- Home Department, Government of Odisha (Fire Service branch): Odisha Fire Service (Methods of Recruitment and Conditions of Service of the Group 'C' Officers) Rules, 2021, notification No. 30030 of 25 August 2021, with Schedule-1 (pay) (scan) (opens in a new tab)
- Home Department, Government of Odisha (Fire Service branch): Fire Service: recruitment rules page (Group C rules 2021, Fireman Driver rules 2011, Firemen Order 2006, 2024 amendment) (opens in a new tab)
- OrissaPOST, 8 September 2023: Odisha fireman recruitment 2023: 826 Fireman and 115 Fireman Driver posts, applications 1 to 30 September 2023 (opens in a new tab)
- OrissaPOST (PTI), 23 August 2025: 300 firefighter posts to be filled by December this year: Odisha CM at the passing-out parade of 911 firefighters (346 fire stations) (opens in a new tab)