Airstrip exam video sparks row

Bhubaneswar: Days after a video showing over 8,000 aspirants turning up for fewer than 200 homeguard posts in Sambalpur went viral, the opposition BJD on Monday said the episode underscores the deepening unemployment crisis and desperation among jobless youths.

The BJP, however, defended the govt, saying recruitment is on the fast-track, and new jobs are being created across govt sector and industries.


The drone shot shows thousands of candidates appearing for the homeguard’s written test on an airstrip in Sambalpur’s Jamadarpali.

Stating that BJP’s promise of creating two crore jobs has failed miserably, BJD spokesperson Lenin Mohanty said, “It is painful to see professionally qualified youths with BTech and MTech degrees sitting among thousands on an airstrip where the minimum qualification required is Class 5.”

The BJP argued that the challenges Odisha faces today stem from policies set during the BJD’s long years in power. “The new government led by chief minister Mohan Charan Majhi has moved aggressively to speed up government recruitment and attract private-sector investments to expand job opportunities,” said BJP spokesperson Manoj Mohapatra.

On Dec 16, Sambalpur police conducted the written test for homeguard recruitment at Jamadarpali airstrip, converting the runway into an exam hall for more than 8,000 aspirants vying for just 187 posts. The drive aims to fill vacancies across 24 police stations in the district. The announcement was made through the official social media channels of Sambalpur police, which asked candidates to report by 6am.

Police later released drone footage showing thousands of candidates seated in orderly rows, which drew praise for logistical planning and discipline. But the video quickly went viral and sparked a wave of online reactions, with many users highlighting the intense pressure of unemployment in Odisha.

Several pointed out that graduates and postgraduates were competing for low-paying homeguard positions. Political parties also joined the debate. On Dec 19, the Indian National Congress posted on X: “Look at the state of unemployment in the country. In Odisha, more than 9,000 candidates appeared for 187 home guard posts.” The party shared the drone video, calling it “proof of the Modi govt’s failure,” and noted the absence of national media coverage.


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