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Naveen Patnaik Slams Odisha Govt: Repeated Exam Cancellations 'Alarming'

Former Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has strongly criticised the Odisha government over a series of cancelled recruitment exams. He says nearly 18 tests have been scrapped in the last year and a half, calling the trend deeply alarming for the state's youth. The cancellations include high-profile exams like the one for Auxiliary Nurse Midwives, which was called off over a paper leak. Patnaik is urging the administration to conduct exams fairly and transparently to restore public confidence.

Key Points: Naveen Patnaik Criticises Odisha BJP Over Recruitment Exam Cancellations

  • Naveen Patnaik highlights 18 exam cancellations in 18 months, affecting thousands of aspirants
  • He warns cancellations erode public trust in the state's recruitment system
  • The recent ANM exam was scrapped due to a reported question paper leak
  • The Odisha High Court nullified the ASO exam, citing serious doubts over its conduct
2 min read

'Situation alarming': Naveen Patnaik slams Odisha BJP govt over repeated exam cancellations

Former CM Naveen Patnaik calls repeated exam cancellations in Odisha alarming, saying they shatter youth aspirations and demand urgent government action.

"The situation is deeply alarming. – Naveen Patnaik"

Bhubaneswar, Dec 6

Biju Janata Dal (BJD) president and former Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Saturday strongly criticised the Bharatiya Janata Party-led state government over the repeated cancellation of recruitment examinations, saying such actions are severely affecting the hopes and future of thousands of young aspirants.

In a social media post, Patnaik highlighted that successive exam cancellations, including the recent Auxiliary Nurse Midwife (ANM) examination, have created uncertainty and frustration among students preparing for government jobs.

He accused the state administration of failing to uphold transparency and questioned the rationale behind repeatedly postponing or scrapping crucial exams. Patnaik pointed out that in the last 18 months, nearly 18 recruitment examinations across various departments have been cancelled, a trend he described as “deeply alarming.”

He warned that such administrative lapses not only jeopardise the careers of students but also erode public trust in the state’s recruitment process. Calling for urgent action, the former chief minister urged the government to ensure that all examinations are conducted regularly, fairly, and with complete transparency.

He emphasised that safeguarding the future of Odisha’s youth should be a top priority and appealed to authorities to restore confidence among aspirants by taking immediate corrective measures.

Odisha has witnessed a spate of recruitment exam cancellations in recent months, raising concerns over the state’s examination and recruitment management.

The state recently called off the ANM exam following reports of a question paper leak just hours before the test.

Earlier, the Odisha High Court had nullified the main written exam for the post of Assistant Section Officer (ASO), held in July 2025, citing serious doubts about the conduct of the exam by the agency responsible.

A fresh ASO examination has now been scheduled for December 7, covering all 7,113 candidates who cleared the preliminary test.

In response to the recurring incidents, the state government has directed all departments and recruitment agencies to submit detailed reports on every cancelled recruitment exam conducted between June 2024 and October 2025.

Opposition leaders have criticised the repeated cancellations, calling them evidence of systemic failure and demanding stricter oversight of recruitment processes.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

P
Priyanka N
As someone from Odisha with a brother preparing for government exams, the stress is unreal. 18 exams cancelled in 18 months? It's not just a number, it's shattered dreams. The paper leaks need to stop. Accountability is missing.
R
Rahul R
While the criticism is valid, let's not forget this has been a long-standing issue. The previous govt also had its share of controversies. The entire recruitment ecosystem in the state needs an overhaul, not just blame games. Hope the corrective measures are genuine.
A
Anjali F
Transparency is key! If exams are getting cancelled due to leaks, it means the mafia is active. The government must crack down on these syndicates with a heavy hand. Our youth deserve a fair chance. Jai Odisha!
D
David E
Reading this from outside India. This level of institutional failure affecting thousands of careers is deeply concerning. The directive for detailed reports is a good first step, but concrete action and prosecutions are needed to restore trust. Wishing the aspirants the best.
K
Karthik V
The mental and financial toll on students is immense. Coaching fees, study materials, relocation costs – all wasted. The government should compensate the candidates in some way for this repeated harassment. This is not how you build 'Aatmanirbhar' youth.

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