Union Public Service Commission Online Recruitment Application (ORA) Guide
This guide provides a summary of the instructions for filling out the Union Public Service Commission’s Online Recruitment Application (ORA), as detailed in the provided document available on UPSC website .
Getting Started
Before you begin, you should carefully read the detailed advertisement on the Commission’s website. The ORA homepage shows available vacancies, and you can view a brief description of any post by clicking on its name. You can also access a “Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)” section for reference.1
To apply, you first need to register by clicking “New Registration” and providing your personal details and a password. A unique 8-character alphanumeric Registration ID will be assigned to you. You can only create one Registration ID per email address, so you should use a correct and active email for all correspondence. If you forget your Registration ID or password, you can recover it by clicking the “Forgot Registration ID / Forgot Password” link, but be careful to enter the correct details to avoid your account being blocked.2
Filling the Application
The ORA is composed of several modules, some of which may be inactive depending on the post requirements. You can fill in the details in multiple sessions, but remember to save your information by clicking the ‘Save’ button before closing any session.
Required Documents and Uploads
You’ll need to upload supporting documents for various claims. These documents must be in PDF format, with a maximum size of 1 MB per file. Uploaded PDF files must not be password-protected. If a document is in a language other than Hindi or English, you must also upload an attested transcript. If you have multiple pages for a single claim, you can merge them into a single PDF file.
Some specific documents are mandatory to upload in the Personal Profile module, including:
- Document for a name change (if applicable)
- Date of Birth Certificate
- Caste Certificate (if applicable)
- PwBD Certificate (if applicable)
You are also required to upload a scanned copy of your chosen Photo ID, such as an Aadhaar Card, PAN Card, or Passport. Additional documents can be uploaded in a single merged PDF file (up to 2 MB) via the ‘Upload Other Documents’ module.
Photograph and Signature Requirements
Your photograph and signature must be clear and easily identifiable. You should scan them in JPG format.
- File Size: Not to exceed 300 KB each, and not less than 20 KB.
- Resolution: Minimum 350×350 pixels and maximum 1000×1000 pixels.
- Photo Specifics: The photograph should be in color, taken against a plain white or off-white background, and the candidate’s face should occupy 3/4ths of the space. The photograph must not be more than 10 days old, and it should clearly show the candidate’s name and the date the photo was taken.
- Important Note: Your appearance at the Recruitment Test and Interview must match the uploaded photograph, including beards, spectacles, and mustaches.
- Saving: The uploaded images won’t be saved until you click the “Confirm Upload” button.
Fee Payment and Submission
After filling out all the required modules and uploading documents and images, you must click the “SUBMIT” button. If you are required to pay a fee, you’ll be taken to a payment page. The application fee is ₹25, but female, PwBD, SC, or ST candidates are exempt.
Payment Options
You can pay the fee using one of the following methods:
- Pay by Cash: You must use the Pay-in-Slip generated by the ORA system and deposit the cash at any branch of the State Bank of India. The bank will provide a transaction ID that you must enter into your application to complete the process. When entering the transaction ID, you should only use the last 7 or 8 numeric digits, dropping any letters, special characters, or prefixed zeros.
- Pay by Debit/Credit Card, Net Banking, or UPI: You’ll be directed to the respective payment gateway site. If your online payment is successful but doesn’t reflect in your application, you may need to try again. However, it’s advised to switch to another payment mode if you face repeated issues with a card.3
Your application is not considered finally submitted until it appears under the “MY ACCOUNT [Finally Submitted Application(s)]” link. You should retain a printout of the final application as proof of submission.
Shortlisting and Additional Information
If there’s a large number of applicants, the Commission may use various shortlisting criteria to narrow down the candidates for the interview. These can include:
- Desirable Qualifications (DQ)
- Higher educational qualifications
- Higher experience than the minimum required
- Experience before or after acquiring essential qualifications
- Experience even if not listed as a qualification
- A Recruitment Test
Therefore, it’s highly recommended to mention all your qualifications and experience, even if they are above the minimum requirements. For example, if experience isn’t essential for the post but you have it, you should still fill out the Experience Module.4
