The Odisha government has formally requested detailed reports from all departments and agencies regarding the cancellation of recruitment examinations, amidst allegations from opposition parties that at least 16 such tests have been scrapped or postponed since the Bharatiya Janata Party came to power in the state in June 2024.
The government’s action follows an urgent meeting chaired by Chief Secretary Manoj Ahuja concerning the alleged sabotage of the Police Sub-Inspector (SI) written examination. This particular test has been postponed three times since its notification was issued in January this year for 933 SI posts. The most recent postponement, which shifts the test to October 5th and 6th, was triggered by the arrest of 117 people, including 114 aspiring candidates, in Berhampur.
The General Administration and Public Grievance Department dispatched a letter on October 4 to the Odisha Public Service Commission (OPSC), Odisha Staff Selection Commission (OSSC), and other related bodies. The letter, signed by Additional Secretary Debabrata Mallick, specifically demands a comprehensive report listing all recruitment examinations cancelled or postponed from June 2024 onwards, to be compiled in a prescribed format.
Following the recent SI exam postponement, Leader of Opposition Naveen Patnaik expressed shock. He alleged that this marked the "fourth recruitment examination scrapped since July" amid claims of malpractice and paper leaks.
The Biju Janata Dal president cited previous examples: the cancellation of the Special Odisha Teacher Eligibility Test (OTET-2025) hours before commencement on July 20 due to a leak, and the cancellation of the OSSSC’s Combined Recruitment Examination later that month, citing irregularities in the preliminary process. He noted the rescheduled Special OTET-2025 was also postponed again in August, leaving aspirants frustrated.
Patnaik concluded that these repeated disruptions showcase that Odisha’s recruitment system has troubles. This is undermining trust and affecting lakhs of job seekers across the state."
Also read: Odisha Police arrest 117 in SI exam forgery case
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