Sambalpur, Dec 23: In a remarkable turn of events, Sambalpur district in Odisha witnessed an unprecedented recruitment test for Home Guard positions, held at the Jamadarpali airstrip. On December 16, over 8,000 candidates participated in the examination, vying for 187 vacant positions across 24 police stations in the district.

Drone footage capturing the massive turnout has gone viral on social media, highlighting the scale of the recruitment drive. The test, which required a minimum educational qualification of Class V, saw a diverse group of applicants, including those with higher qualifications such as BA and MA degrees. This large turnout reflects the intense demand for government jobs in the region.

Over 10,340 candidates had registered for the positions, setting a new record for the largest number of candidates in a single session. The Jamadarpali airstrip, usually a location for aviation activities, was transformed into an outdoor examination hall, where all candidates were seated together in one large area. The written exam lasted for approximately one and a half hours, and despite initial challenges, including the delayed distribution of question papers, the test was completed smoothly.

While it faced some logistical hurdles, including issues with the timely availability of the written question papers, the Sambalpur police managed to carry out the recruitment process without major disruptions. The recruitment process continues to spark discussions across the region, especially about the growing demand for government employment amid limited job opportunities in local industries and factories.

After the written exam, successful candidates will proceed to the next phase- the physical fitness test. Those who clear this stage will move forward in the recruitment process for the Home Guard posts.