In a striking testament to India’s employment crunch, nearly 8,000 candidates – many of them graduates and postgraduates – appeared for just 187 Home Guard posts in Odisha’s Sambalpur district on Dec 16.
Despite the minimum eligibility being Class V, the applicant pool included those with Master’s, management, and technical degrees.
To accommodate the massive turnout, officials converted the Jamadarpali airstrip into an open-air examination centre. “We had logistical challenges and wanted to avoid mismanagement, so we used the runway for smooth conduct,” said the Additional Superintendent of Police.
Candidates took a 50-mark written test in two parts over 90 minutes. Drones were deployed for surveillance, and officials ensured the process was peaceful and disciplined.
The recruitment drive, conducted for 24 police stations, ended smoothly, with candidates maintaining discipline throughout.
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27 Nov 2025 16:29
