Over 4,000 candidates applied for just 102 Home Guard posts in Jharsuguda, highlighting Odisha’s deepening unemployment crisis among educated youth
OdishaPlus Bureau
The escalating employment crisis in Odisha became particularly evident on Sunday when over 4,000 candidates participated in a written examination for merely 102 Home Guard positions in Jharsuguda district. This overwhelming turnout has underscored the increasing scarcity of stable job opportunities for the youth throughout the state.
As per official reports, 4,040 candidates took the written examination conducted at the Odisha Special Armed Police (OSAP) Battalion ground. With a success rate of fewer than three candidates for each available position, the recruitment initiative highlighted the fierce competition for even temporary, low-paying government-related jobs.
Although the minimum educational requirement was set at Class 5, a significant number of graduates, postgraduates, and individuals with technical qualifications participated in the examination. Numerous candidates expressed that they felt compelled to apply due to the diminishing prospects in the private sector, delays in government hiring, and a lack of alternative options.
Many aspirants characterized their decision as one motivated by economic necessity rather than a career choice, illustrating the pressure faced by educated youth in their pursuit of stable employment.
Jharsuguda is not an isolated instance. Similar situations have been observed recently. In Sambalpur, approximately 8,000 candidates vied for 187 Home Guard positions. In Rourkela, applicants included B.Tech graduates and individuals holding dual M.A. degrees.
One candidate who applied for the home guard position remarked, “I am a graduate, and many applicants from outside the district are coming to Jharsuguda for this role as unemployment has surged in Odisha.”
Another candidate stated, “My name is Sameer Padhi. Jharsuguda is a hub of companies; despite this, educated individuals remain unemployed here. Therefore, we are compelled to apply for the home guard as it is our last resort.”
A third candidate mentioned, “My name is Divyamaee Sahu, and I hold a commerce honors postgraduate degree. Since we are not finding any job opportunities and due to the lack of job openings, I have applied for this position.”
