Sambalpur, Dec 22: More than 8,000 candidates appeared for a Home Guard recruitment examination held on an airstrip in Odisha’s Sambalpur district, an unusual arrangement that has drawn widespread attention and criticism after visuals from the venue went viral on social media.
The examination, conducted on December 16 at the Jamadarpali airstrip, was held to fill just 187 Home Guard posts. Due to the massive turnout, authorities seated candidates directly on the airstrip, with no desks, chairs or writing mats provided. Candidates were seen using the ground as a writing surface, a scene captured in drone footage that quickly circulated online.
Despite the minimum eligibility for the posts being a pass in Class V, officials said many applicants were higher secondary pass-outs and graduates. The overwhelming response highlighted the growing competition for government-linked jobs, even those offering modest pay and demanding working conditions.
According to officials, more than 10,600 applications were received, though several were rejected due to underage or under-qualification issues. “When we advertised for recruiting 183 Home Guard posts, we did not anticipate such a large number of applicants,” said Bilkis Nesha, Deputy Superintendent of Police (Home Guard), Sambalpur.
Home Guard personnel are paid less than ₹650 per day and perform duties at police stations and law-and-order sensitive areas, often involving long hours of vigil. Still, the scale of participation underlined the pressure of unemployment among the youth.
The unusual exam setting has triggered political and public debate. Opposition leaders cited the viral visuals to question the government’s handling of recruitment processes and employment generation, while social media users raised concerns over logistics and dignity of candidates, comparing the exam arrangement to a public gathering rather than a formal competitive test.
Authorities have not yet commented on whether alternative arrangements will be considered for future recruitment drives.
