Bhubaneswar: In a striking illustration of the growing unemployment crisis, over 9,000 candidates descended upon the Jamadarpali airstrip in Sambalpur on Tuesday to compete for a mere 187 Home Guard posts.
According to reports, the recruitment drive, covering 24 police stations, witnessed an unprecedented turnout, with many highly educated youths, including graduates, engineers, and MBA holders, vying for the opportunity. The overwhelming participation underscored the alarming job scarcity in the state, particularly among educated youth.
The examination process began early in the morning, with candidates reporting at 6 am and entering the examination ground at 9 am. The written test comprised a 20-mark paragraph writing exercise and a 30-mark general knowledge test, which lasted for an hour, according to reports.
To ensure the smooth conduct of the Home Guard recruitment examination, three Additional Superintendents of Police (SPs), 24 inspectors, 86 Sub-Inspectors (SIs) and Assistant Sub-Inspectors (ASIs), along with over 100 Home Guards and traffic police personnel, were deployed at the venue.
