Over 8,000 job aspirants gathered on an abandoned airstrip in Odisha's Kendrapara district for a written exam to fill just 187 junior clerk and other posts under the Odisha Sub-Ordinate Staff Selection Commission (OSSSC). The unconventional venue sparked memes and debates on recruitment logistics amid high youth unemployment.
Exam Spectacle
The December 20, 2025, exam for OSSSC positions saw candidates seated in rows across the vast Charbatia airstrip, a former military runway now repurposed due to lack of indoor space. Heavy security and basic facilities like tents managed the massive turnout, highlighting India's competitive government job market where lakhs apply for thousands of vacancies.
Key Highlights
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Scale Mismatch: 8,000+ appeared for 187 posts (junior clerk, typist); cut-off expected razor-thin at 90%+ scores.
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Venue Choice: Airstrip used for open space; benches arranged amid fields, prompting viral photos of "runway recruitment."
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Logistics Challenges: Buses ferried candidates; police oversaw amid foggy winter conditions; no major glitches reported.
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Broader Context: Reflects Odisha's job crunch—youth unemployment at 15%; similar mega-exams common nationwide.
This quirky event underscores recruitment pressures in tier-2 regions.
Sources: Odisha TV, Times of India, India Today.