If there is a deficiency of electrons clearly the oxidation state would be positive, however for the oxidation state to change (increase/decrease) a change in the number of electrons of the species would have to occur
Oxidation state is pretty much the charge of a specific atom in a compound. If there is a "deficiency of electrons", this will make it positively charge and hence, the oxidation state will be positive (increase from its elemental state which is 0).