Bhubaneswar, March 18: The Odisha State Employment Mission will set up a competitive examination centre to tap the talents in the state and help them prepare for civil services examinations.

Facilities such as accomodation, library, study room, tests and Internet will be provided to the students apart from training. They will also receive subject and paper wise guidance from eminent administrators, academicians and professional experts from the management, training and research institutions.

'Our objective is to cater to the needs of the meritorious youths, particularly those from the disadvantaged section of the society, who are not able to afford technical education and focus on competitive exams,' said a senior government official.

According to the decision, only the domicile students of the state can avail themselves of the benefit of the programme. 'In the first phase, only 30 candidates will be enrolled. The intake may increase later. A state-level entrance exam will be held if the number of applicants are more,' said the official.

The entrance test will have objective type (multiple choice questions) according to the new pattern of the UPSC preliminary examination consisting of two parts.

The exam will have negative marking like in case of the UPSC. Explaining the eligibility criteria for the programme, the official said any graduate from any faculty from a recognised university could apply for the programme.

However, medical graduates must have completed their internship. The age limit is 21 to 30 years for general candidates. There is a five-year relaxation for SC and ST students and a three-year one for OBC students.

The authorities have also made it clear that candidates enrolling for the course will not be allowed to do any other courses or job simultaneously.

Manisha Gupta, a civil service aspirant from Kalahandi district, said it was a great opportunity for the aspirants. 'The best part is the guidance from experienced resource persons having knowledge of the UPSC civil service examination syllabus and pattern,' she said.

The mission is also trying to rope in the newly selected IAS, IFS, IPS, IRS and other civil service officers as guest faculty and guest speakers in the guidance programmes.

Other activities will include special workshops, mock tests and evaluation, counselling, special lectures for motivation and personality development.