Over 8,000 aspirants competed for 183 Home Guard positions in Odisha's Sambalpur district, highlighting intense employment competition. The recruitment exam was held on a local airstrip to ensure transparency, a measure taken amid ongoing investigations into recent paper leak and exam fraud cases in the state. Candidates are drawn to the daily duty allowance of Rs 639 and the appeal of a government job, while the Home Guard force provides essential support to state law enforcement.