The Odisha Subordinate Staff Selection Commission (OSSSC) has released the provisional answer key for the Nursing Officer-2026 written examination on 29 September 2026. The examination was conducted in Computer Based Recruitment Examination (CBRE) mode on 22 and 23 September 2026 for a massive 5,989 Nursing Officer (District Cadre, Group C) posts in the Health & Family Welfare Department, Government of Odisha. Candidates can access the provisional key along with their individual response sheets through candidate login on the official website osssc.gov.in. The objection window is open from 29 September to 6 October 2026 — candidates who spot an incorrect answer must raise their challenge within this period with supporting evidence, after which OSSSC will examine the objections and issue the final key.

Quick Overview

How to Download Answer Key and Response Sheet

1. Visit the official OSSSC website osssc.gov.in.
2. Open the Apply Online section on the homepage and click Login.
3. Enter your User ID (username / registration number / mobile number / email ID) and password, then submit.
4. On the dashboard, open the link titled "View Response sheet, Answer Keys & filing Objection to the Answer Keys for the post of Nursing Officer-2026".
5. Your question paper with marked responses and the official answers will appear — match each marked option against the official key.
6. Download and save both documents (response sheet and provisional key) as PDFs for future reference.
7. Keep your User ID and password ready, and never share your login credentials with anyone.

Marking Scheme and Score Estimation

Use the official marking scheme to estimate your probable score:

• Correct answer: +1 mark
• Incorrect answer: -0.25 marks
• Unattempted question: 0 marks

Score formula: Total Score = (Correct answers x 1) - (Wrong answers x 0.25)

Example: If you attempted 85 questions with 68 correct and 17 wrong:
Score = (68 x 1) - (17 x 0.25) = 68 - 4.25 = 63.75 marks.

For reference, the written exam followed this scheme (100 questions, 100 marks, 2 hours): Core Nursing Subjects 60 marks, Practical Nursing Skills 25 marks, Arithmetic (HSC standard) 10 marks, and English (HSC standard) 5 marks.

How to Raise Objections

The released key is provisional, and OSSSC has opened the objection facility for candidates who find an incorrect answer or discrepancy:

1. Log in to the candidate portal on osssc.gov.in within the objection window (29 September to 6 October 2026).
2. Open the objection link against the Nursing Officer-2026 answer key.
3. Select the question ID(s) you wish to challenge and state the correct answer as per your claim.
4. Support each objection with documentary or authoritative evidence (standard textbooks, official references) wherever required — bare assertions carry little weight.
5. Submit before 6 October 2026; no objections are accepted after the deadline. Check the official notice for any prescribed objection fee and payment mode.

OSSSC will examine all valid objections and may revise answers before issuing the final answer key. Do not treat the provisional key as final.

What Happens After the Final Key

• Final answer key: Issued after the objection review; no further challenges are entertained.
• Result declaration: The Nursing Officer-2026 result is declared separately on osssc.gov.in based on the final key.
• Document verification: Shortlisted candidates verify originals — nursing qualifications (GNM/B.Sc Nursing), registration, age, caste and domicile documents.
• Final selection: The selection process comprises the written examination followed by document verification.

Important Links

Score Estimation Examples

Here are worked examples so you can interpret your estimated score realistically. The -0.25 negative marking punishes blind guessing, so your net score matters far more than your attempt count:

• Example A (balanced): 80 attempted, 62 correct, 18 wrong → (62 x 1) - (18 x 0.25) = 62 - 4.5 = 57.50 marks.
• Example B (high accuracy): 72 attempted, 64 correct, 8 wrong → 64 - 2.00 = 62.00 marks — fewer attempts but a better score than Example A.
• Example C (over-attempted): 95 attempted, 66 correct, 29 wrong → 66 - 7.25 = 58.75 marks.

Notice that Example B (72 attempts) outscores Example A (80 attempts) purely on accuracy. Compare your estimated score against the expected cut-off trend for a 5,989-post recruitment — large vacancies generally keep cut-offs moderate, but district-wise and category-wise merit lists decide the final outcome. Use the provisional key for estimation only; the final key after the 6 October objection deadline is what your result is built on.

FAQs

Q1. When was the OSSSC Nursing Officer Answer Key 2026 released?
The provisional answer key was released on 29 September 2026.

Q2. Where can I download it?
Through candidate login on the official website osssc.gov.in (Apply Online section).

Q3. When was the exam conducted?
The Nursing Officer-2026 written examination was held in CBRE mode on 22 and 23 September 2026.

Q4. How many vacancies are there?
5,989 Nursing Officer (District Cadre, Group C) posts.

Q5. What is the last date to raise objections?
6 October 2026. No objections are accepted after the deadline.

Q6. What is the marking scheme?
+1 mark for each correct answer, -0.25 for each wrong answer, 0 for unattempted questions.

Q7. How do I estimate my score?
Score = (Correct x 1) - (Wrong x 0.25). For example, 68 correct and 17 wrong gives 63.75 marks.

Q8. What is the exam pattern?
100 questions for 100 marks in 2 hours: Core Nursing 60, Practical Nursing Skills 25, Arithmetic 10, English 5.

Q9. Is this the final answer key?
No — it is provisional. OSSSC will issue the final key after examining the objections.

Q10. What is the selection process?
Written examination followed by document verification.

Q11. When will the result be declared?
The result will be announced separately on osssc.gov.in after the final key.

Always check answer keys only on the official website osssc.gov.in, and follow Job Ready Portal for the latest Sarkari Naukri 2026 updates, results, admit cards and answer keys.