Over 9,000 Apply for 107 Home Guard Posts in Rourkela

Rourkela: In a striking display of the growing unemployment crisis, more than 9,000 candidates appeared for the Home Guard recruitment test conducted in Rourkela Police District on Sunday, competing for a mere 107 posts across 22 police stations.

Despite the minimum educational requirement being just a Class-V pass, the recruitment drive saw a significant number of highly educated aspirants, including graduates, engineers, MBAs, MCAs, and diploma/ITI holders. The overwhelming participation highlighted the intense competition for government jobs, even those offering modest pay.

The Home Guard position carries a daily wage of ₹612, translating to approximately ₹18,360 per month. Yet, the allure of job stability drew in a staggering 9,061 applicants.

The selection process commenced at 7:30 AM at Sector-6 Ispat Stadium with a 30-minute paragraph writing test worth 20 marks. This was followed by a one-hour general knowledge test of 40 marks beginning at 8:30 AM. Candidates will further undergo a 2 km walking test and a personal interview in the upcoming phases.

To ensure a smooth and secure examination, Rourkela SP Nitesh Wadhwani supervised the event alongside six Additional SPs, 17 Inspectors, 86 Sub-Inspectors and Assistant Sub-Inspectors, and over 150 personnel from the home guard and traffic units. Additionally, 10 platoons of force were deployed, and drones were used for aerial monitoring of the examination venue.

The massive turnout, despite the humble job profile and pay, reflects a sobering reality — a growing desperation for employment among Odisha’s educated youth.