8,000 Aspirants Vying for 187 Home Guard Posts in Odisha

New Delhi, December 20, 2025: In a scene that has now gone viral across social media, the Jamadarpali Airstrip in Sambalpur was transformed into a massive open-air examination center this week. Over 8,000 candidates gathered on the tarmac, sitting in neat rows under the morning sun to compete for just 187 Home Guard positions.

The sheer scale of the gathering, captured in drone footage shared by local authorities, has sparked an intense national debate regarding the current employment landscape and the high demand for government-adjacent roles.

Logistics of an Open-Air Exam

Faced with the challenge of accommodating thousands of applicants simultaneously, the Sambalpur District Police opted for the expansive airstrip instead of traditional indoor venues. The recruitment process, which took place on December 16, 2025, required significant coordination:

• Venue: Jamadarpali Airstrip (also known as Hirakud Airstrip).
• Security: Over 100 personnel, including inspectors and sub-inspectors, were deployed to manage the crowd.
• Surveillance: Drones were used for aerial monitoring to ensure discipline and prevent malpractice during the test.
• The Test: Candidates sat for a 90-minute examination consisting of a 20-mark Odia paragraph writing exercise and a 30-mark general knowledge section.

The Degree Dilemma

While the minimum educational requirement for a Home Guard post is only Class V (5th grade), the applicant pool told a much different story. Officials noted that a vast majority of the 8,000 aspirants held much higher qualifications, including:

• Graduate and Postgraduate degrees.
• Technical diplomas and B.Tech degrees.
• Professional qualifications like MBA and MCA.

The Home Guard role in Odisha typically offers a daily wage of approximately ₹612 to ₹639. Despite the contractual nature of the work and the basic entry requirements, the influx of highly educated youth highlights a growing preference for any form of government-linked employment over private sector uncertainty.

Political and Social Reaction

The viral video has become a flashpoint for political discussion. Opposition parties, including the Congress and Trinamool Congress (TMC), have pointed to the event as “brutal evidence” of a worsening job crisis.

However, government representatives and local officials defended the recruitment drive, stating that government service remains a top priority for youth and that the airstrip was chosen specifically to provide a “hassle-free and transparent” environment for such a large volume of people.

What’s Next?

The written test is only the first phase of the selection process. Candidates who successfully clear this round will be called for a Physical Efficiency Test (PET) and document verification. With 187 spots available across 24 police stations in the district, the competition remains one of the toughest in recent local history.