Archive · 22 Dec 2025
Odisha Exam on Airstrip Draws Thousands
A very big test happened on an airstrip in a place called Odisha.
More than 8,000 people came to take this test for only 187 jobs as home guards.
Many of these people were very smart, with degrees like engineers and MBAs.
They had to sit on the ground because there were no desks or mats.
The police were there to keep everything safe.
Some people on the internet and politicians said it was not right that so many people had to take the test in such a place, showing that there are not enough jobs.
Over 8,000 candidates took a home guard recruitment exam on the Jamadarpali airstrip in Odisha's Sambalpur district for just 187 vacancies.
Candidates, including graduates, engineers, and MBAs, sat on the airstrip's surface due to a lack of desks or mats.
The exam consisted of a 30-minute paragraph-writing section and a one-hour general knowledge paper, with significant security presence.
The unusual setting drew criticism from opposition leaders and social media users, highlighting concerns over employment generation and exam logistics.
The high number of candidates with advanced degrees underscores severe job shortages in the state.
- Who
- Over 8,000 candidates from Sambalpur district, including graduates, engineers, MBAs, MCAs, diploma holders, ITI-trained candidates, and computer science degree holders
- What
- A recruitment examination for home guard posts
- When
- December 16
- Where
- Jamadarpali airstrip in Odisha's Sambalpur district
- Why
- To fill 187 vacancies for home guard posts, highlighting severe job shortages in the state
- Location
- Jamadarpali airstrip, Sambalpur district, Odisha
- Number of Candidates
- 8,000+
- Vacancies Available
- 187
- Exam Date
- December 16
- Minimum Qualification Required
- Class 5 pass
- Exam Sections
- Paragraph writing (30 mins, 20 marks) and General Knowledge (1 hour, 30 marks)
- Security Personnel Deployed
- 3 superintendents, 24 inspectors, 86 sub-inspectors, 100+ Home Guards and traffic personnel
