Why Are Odisha's Police Constable Aspirants Protesting? Key Demands Unveiled!

In Bhubaneswar, thousands of police constable aspirants protested, demanding revisions to age limits and reservation policies in the ongoing recruitment process. They expressed concerns over the lack of reserved category vacancies and discrepancies in government announcements. The protest, which included dramatic demonstrations, highlighted the frustrations of candidates who feel unrepresented in the recruitment process. A delegation has approached the Chief Minister’s Office for resolution, with the government requesting time to address their grievances. This situation raises significant questions about the recruitment policies in Odisha and the impact on aspiring candidates.

By Narendra Chaudhary Nov 4, 2026, 08:48 IST

Protest by Police Constable Aspirants in Bhubaneswar

In Bhubaneswar, a significant number of aspirants for police constable positions gathered for a protest on Tuesday, advocating for changes to age limits and reservation policies in the current recruitment drive. The demonstrators assembled outside the Odisha Uniformed Services Staff Selection Commission (OUSSSC) office to seek updates on their previous representations made on October 26 before proceeding to stage a protest at Gandhi Marg.

During the demonstration, many participants were seen kneeling on the ground and performing sit-ups while holding their ears. This protest was triggered by the announcement of recruitment for 7,268 constable positions. The candidates expressed their concerns that, although there is a five-year age relaxation for SC, ST, SEBC candidates, and women, the lack of reserved category vacancies, especially for SEBC candidates in 23 police districts, has hindered many from seizing this opportunity.

The aspirants also raised issues regarding the inconsistency between the government's stated 11.25 percent SEBC reservation and the mere two percent quota mentioned in the recruitment notification. Similar grievances were voiced regarding the Odisha Industrial Security Force (OISF) recruitment, which is taking place after nearly ten years. With the upper age limit set at 23 years, candidates who were under 18 in 2016 now find themselves ineligible despite years of preparation.

They claimed that inconsistencies in recruitment notifications often compel them to seek legal recourse from the Orissa High Court, leading to financial strain and delays. Bibhuti Bhushan Mahapatra, the president of the State Congress Student Wing, joined the protest to show solidarity. Meanwhile, a six-member delegation met with officials at the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO), and the government has reportedly requested two days to review their concerns.