Airstrip Turned Exam Hall: Over 8,000 Aspirants Vie for 187 Home Guard Posts in Odisha, Highlighting Acute Unemployment Crisis
In a striking visual testament to India's youth unemployment woes, the rarely used Jamadarpali airstrip in Odisha's Sambalpur district was transformed into an open-air examination center on December 16, 2025. More than 8,000 job aspirants gathered to compete for just 187 Home Guard vacancies, sitting directly on the tarmac without desks or mats to write their papers.
Drone footage and viral videos captured thousands of candidates seated in neat rows across the runway, evoking scenes more akin to a massive public rally than a formal government recruitment exam. Drones were deployed not just for aerial views but to monitor the venue and ensure discipline amid the enormous crowd.
Despite the minimum eligibility being merely a Class 5 pass, the applicant pool included a startling number of highly qualified individuals: graduates, postgraduates, engineers, MBAs, MCAs, diploma holders, and ITI-trained professionals. This stark mismatch underscores the severe lack of suitable employment opportunities in the state, where even low-paying contractual roles—offering a daily allowance of around ₹639—attract overqualified desperate youth.
Candidates were instructed to report as early as 6 AM, with entry allowed from 9 AM and question papers distributed at 10:30 AM. The written test consisted of a 30-minute paragraph-writing section (20 marks) followed by a one-hour general knowledge paper (30 marks). To maintain order, the administration mobilized extensive security: three additional superintendents of police, 24 inspectors, 86 sub-inspectors and assistant sub-inspectors, plus over 100 Home Guards and traffic personnel.
The unconventional venue choice was driven by logistical necessity. Officials explained that accommodating such a massive turnout in traditional exam halls or schools would have been impractical and risked malpractices. The expansive airstrip allowed for better crowd management and a transparent process in a single location.
The images and videos quickly went viral on social media, sparking widespread criticism and political backlash. Opposition parties, including the Trinamool Congress, slammed the BJP-led Odisha government for failing to generate adequate jobs, calling it the "brutal reality" of unemployment under the state's administration. Many online commentators expressed dismay at the undignified setup, questioning the planning and broader economic policies that force educated youth to compete fiercely for entry-level security roles.
This incident in Sambalpur is not isolated but reflects a recurring pattern in Odisha and across India, where government job notifications routinely draw overwhelming responses due to limited private-sector opportunities and the allure of job security. As the nation grapples with youth unemployment rates hovering in double digits, scenes like this serve as a poignant reminder of the urgent need for skill development, industrial growth, and diversified employment avenues.
Sanjay Pattnayak
Sundargarh
