Odisha CPET Eligibility Criteria 2025: Check Education Qualification, Age Limit

Q: Are there any reservation criteria for Odisha CPET?

Yes, the Odisha CPET follows the reservation policies set by the Government of Odisha. The key reservation percentages are:Scheduled Caste (SC): 16.25%Scheduled Tribe (ST): 22.5%Other Backward Classes (OBC): As per state normsPersons with Disabilities (PwD): 5%Ex-Servicemen (ESM): 1%Economically Weaker Sections (EWS): 10%Candidates claiming reservations must provide valid supporting documents during the counseling process.

Q: Can students from other states apply for Odisha CPET?

Yes, candidates from other states can apply, but they will be considered under the unreserved (general) category and may not be eligible for state-reserved seats or scholarships. Some universities may also give preference to Odisha-domiciled students. Candidates should check the specific university’s admission criteria before applying.

Q: Is there a minimum percentage requirement for Odisha CPET eligibility?

Yes, the minimum percentage requirement varies based on the course and category of the applicant:General/OBC candidates: Minimum 50% marks in the qualifying bachelor's degree.SC/ST candidates: Minimum 45% marks.Some professional courses may have higher eligibility requirements, which are mentioned in the official notification.

Q: Can final-year undergraduate students apply for Odisha CPET?

Yes, final-year students can apply for Odisha CPET, provided they submit their provisional certificate or final degree certificate at the time of admission. Failure to submit the required documents before the deadline may result in disqualification.

Q: Are distance education degree holders eligible for Odisha CPET?

Yes, candidates with distance education degrees from a UGC-recognized university are eligible to apply. However, they must meet the minimum percentage and course-specific eligibility requirements. Candidates should verify if their distance education degree is recognized for admission by their preferred university.

Q: What are the eligibility criteria for candidates applying under the PwD category?

Candidates applying under the Persons with Disabilities (PwD) category must fulfill the following criteria:They should have a minimum 40% disability as certified by a competent medical authority.They must meet the academic qualifications required for the respective course.They are eligible for a 5% relaxation in minimum qualifying marks for admission.PwD candidates must submit a valid disability certificate at the time of application.

Q: Where can I check the official Odisha CPET eligibility criteria?

The official eligibility criteria for Odisha CPET are published in the Odisha State Higher Education Department’s official notification every year. Candidates can check:The official SAMS Odisha website (www.samsodisha.gov.in)The university prospectus of the participating institutions.It is advisable to read the official document thoroughly before applying to avoid disqualification due to eligibility issues.

Pallavi Pradeep Purbey

Updated on - Feb 24, 2025

Table of Contents

General Eligibility Criteria for Odisha CPET
Documents Required for Verification of Eligibility
Key Points to Remember
Conclusion

The Odisha CPET 2025 eligibility limit states that the minimum educational qualification required for general category students is 50% aggregate marks in graduation and for SC/ST/OBC/Pwd category it is 45%. The Odisha Common Postgraduate Entrance Test (CPET) is conducted by the Odisha State Higher Education Council (OSHEC).

It caters to the students aspiring for admission in postgraduate courses/disciplines in the state of Odisha. CPET tests students' knowledge in varied disciplines like humanities, science, commerce, and other professional courses depending on their chosen profession.

Before planning for the Odisha CPET 2025 examination, candidates must conduct thorough research on their part. This research should be undertaken to understand the eligibility and requirements of the examination and the course being applied to.

General Eligibility Criteria for Odisha CPET

Applicants must check the general eligibility limit fir the Odisha CPET examination 2025 mentioned below. Candidates willing to fill out the application form are advised to check out the eligibility limit first and accordingly choose their options.

1. Educational Qualification

To be eligible to appear for the Odisha CPET examination, the aspirant should have a bachelor's degree in the relevant discipline he/she is applying for. Also, the degree should be from a recognized institution.

In addition, a minimum percentage is mandatory as one of the most important eligibility. The minimum percentage varies from category to category.

General Category: The minimum requirement is 50% aggregate in graduation.
SC/ST/OBC/PwD Categories: The minimum requirement is 45% aggregate in graduation.

Candidates in their final year of graduation can apply with their provisional certificate or final degree certificate.

2. Domicile Requirements

Odisha CPET is primarily for the candidates who are domiciled in Odisha. Candidates are required to provide proof of domicile (Residence proof) issued by the Government of Odisha.

Non-residents of Odisha can also apply but their proof of domicile and other requirements would be according to university-specific policies.

3. Age Limit

There's no upper age limit for the Odisha CPET examination. Candidates should check for the age eligibility in the university guidelines.

4. Subject Specific Eligibility

Every postgraduate discipline has its own set of eligibility. Some of the crucial eligibility criteria include:

For M.Sc. (Science Courses): B.Sc. degree in a related field with mandatory subjects.
For M.A. (Arts Courses): A bachelor’s degree in Arts/Humanities with relevant specialization.
For M.Com (Commerce Courses): B.Com degree or equivalent qualification.
For MCA (Computer Applications): A bachelor’s degree with Mathematics as a subject at the 10+2 or undergraduate level.
For MBA (Management Courses): Though CPET remains a primary mode of admission, some universities in Odisha may require candidates to have qualified in national-level entrance exams like CAT/MAT.

Candidates aspiring for admission to institutes of Odisha for postgraduation may check eligibility criteria specified on particular universities' websites for better understanding.

5. Reservation Criteria

Odisha state government provides reservation criteria for various categories which is followed by Odisha CPET.

Scheduled Caste (SC): 16.25% of total seats are reserved.
Scheduled Tribe (ST): 22.5% of total seats are reserved.
Other Backward Classes (OBC): A certain percentage is reserved as per the state’s guidelines.
Persons with Disabilities (PwD): 5% of seats are reserved for differently-abled candidates (with a disability of 40% or more).
Ex-Servicemen & Defense Personnel: A small percentage of seats are reserved for candidates with a defense background.
Women Candidates: Some universities have special reservations for female candidates.

6. Work Experience (If applicable)

Work experience is not necessary for all the courses but there a professional programs or executive courses that prefer candidates having relevant industry experience which is related to the chosen discipline. Mentioning work experience can help increase the chances of getting into a good institute.

Read More: Odisha CPET Books 2025

Documents Required for Verification of Eligibility

Candidates are required to provide the documents given below for the process of application verification:

Graduation mark sheets and certificates
Domicile certificate (for Odisha residents)
Caste certificate (if applicable)
PwD certificate (if applicable)
Valid ID proof (Aadhaar card, voter ID, passport, etc.)
Migration certificate (for candidates from universities outside Odisha)
Provisional degree certificate (for final-year students)

Key Points to Remember

Some of the key pointers related to the Odisha CPET eligibility limit for the students is shared below.

All eligibility criteria stated should be met.
Documents provided should be valid and clear to avoid any disqualification.
For proper and regular updates, candidates should regularly check the official website of Odisha CPET.
Be regularly aware of the reservation policies as they provide some benefit in seat allocation.
Documents provided while filling the application form should also be available with the candidate in hard copy as they would be required during the time of admission.

Conclusion

Odisha CPET is a crucial entrance exam for those who are looking for admission to universities/institutions in Odisha postgraduation. It is important for aspirants to understand the eligibility criteria before applying for the entrance examination. Meeting the requirements/eligibility is extremely important as it qualifies the aspirant to sit for the examination.

Candidates should carefully check the eligibility criteria and ensure that they fulfils each one of it. Candidates must regularly check the official notifications for any changes or updates regarding eligibility.

By staying informed and prepared, applicants can successfully navigate the Odisha CPET examination application process and secure admission to their desired postgraduate programs.

Must Practice: Odisha CPET Previous Year Question Paper