Jharsuguda: The deepening employment crisis in Odisha came into sharp focus on Sunday as more than 4,000 candidates appeared for a written examination
for just 102 Home Guard posts in Jharsuguda district. The overwhelming response has highlighted the growing lack of stable job opportunities for young people across the state. According to official sources, 4,040 aspirants took the written test held at the Odisha Special Armed Police (OSAP) Battalion ground. With a success ratio of fewer than three candidates per seat, the recruitment drive underscored the intense competition for even temporary, low-paying government-linked jobs. Despite the minimum educational qualification being Class 5, a large number of graduates, postgraduates, and technically qualified youths appeared for the examination. Many candidates said they were compelled to apply due to shrinking private-sector employment, delayed government recruitment, and limited alternatives. Several aspirants described the decision as one driven by economic necessity rather than career choice, reflecting the stress faced by educated youth in securing stable livelihoods. ALSO READ | 51 Mahindra Thar Cars For Rs 7 Crore: Why Odisha Ordered Audit into Extensive Customisation
A Widespread Pattern Across Odisha
Jharsuguda is not an isolated case. Similar scenes were witnessed recently. In Sambalpur, around 8,000 candidates competed for 187 Home Guard posts. In Rourkela, applicants included B.Tech graduates and double M.A. degree holders
A candidate who applied for home-guard post said, "I am a graduate, apart from that many applicants from out of district are coming to Jharsuguda for this position as unemployment has hiked in Odisha."
ALSO READ | 8,000 Overqualified Aspirants Compete for 187 Home Guard Posts in Odisha
Another candidate said, "My name is Sameer Padhi, Jharsuguda is a hub of companies, despite that educated candidates are unemployed here. So we are bound to apply for the home guard as it’s a last option."
A third candidate said, "My name is Divyamaee Sahu, I am a commerce honour PG Holder, as we are not getting any job opportunities and due to lack of job openings, I have applied for this post."
