Unemployment Crisis: Over 9,000 Aspirants Vie for Just 187 Home Guard Posts in Sambalpur

Sambalpur: In a glaring reflection of Odisha’s deepening youth unemployment woes, more than 9,000 candidates, including many highly qualified graduates and professionals, turned up for a recruitment exam offering only 187 Home Guardpositions in Sambalpur district.

The examination, conductedby Sambalpur police on Tuesday at the Jamadarpali airstrip, drew an overwhelming crowd despite the modest job requirements—a minimum Class Veducation—and a daily wage of ₹612 (approximately ₹18,360 monthly).

Officials were taken aback by the turnout, noting a significant number of applicants holding degrees in engineering, MBA, MCA, diplomas, ITI certifications, and computer science.

The posts, primarily for supporting police vehicle driving and computer operations across 24 police stations, underscore the acute job scarcity affecting educated youth in Odisha.