Job Crisis in Odisha: Thousands Compete for Just 102 Home Guard Posts in Jharsuguda
Jharsuguda– The deepening unemployment crisis in Odisha was starkly visible on Sunday as more than 4,000 candidates appeared for a written examination to secure just 102 Home Guard posts in Jharsuguda district.
According to official sources, 4,040 aspirants sat for the test conducted at the Odisha Special Armed Police (OSAP) Battalion ground.
With fewer than three candidates competing per seat, the recruitment drive highlighted the intense competition for even temporary, low-paying government-linked jobs.
Despite the minimum qualification being Class 5, a significant number of graduates, postgraduates, and technically qualified youths applied.
Many candidates admitted they were compelled by shrinking private-sector opportunities, delayed government recruitment, and limited alternatives.
For them, the decision was driven by economic necessity rather than career choice.
As per recruitment norms, 1,010 candidates will be shortlisted from the written examination.
They will then face a Physical Efficiency Test (PET), with final selection based on combined performance.
This is not an isolated case. In Sambalpur, nearly 8,000 candidates competed for 187 Home Guard posts, while in Rourkela, applicants included B.Tech graduates and double M.A. holders.
These trends reflect a statewide employment challenge where highly educated youths are increasingly competing for low-tier posts due to the absence of adequate job creation.
Experts warn that the situation calls for urgent policy attention, including faster recruitment cycles, skill-based job creation, and stronger support for employment in both public and private sectors.
