Odisha Civil Service Exam Set to Proceed Despite Cyclone Flooding: What You Need to Know

Odisha Civil Service Examination Unaffected by Cyclone

Bhubaneswar: The Odisha Civil Service main examination will proceed as scheduled, despite the severe flooding caused by cyclone 'Arnab'. The state government has committed to providing transportation for candidates affected by the floods, according to a government minister.

The Congress party had called for the examination, set to take place from October 31 to November 7, to be postponed due to the cyclone's impact on southern districts.

However, Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari dismissed this request, stating, "If we delay the OCS examination organized by the Odisha Public Service Commission (OPSC), it would take at least six months to reschedule. This would disappoint many candidates who have been preparing for the exam."

The minister noted that approximately 325 candidates from Ganjam district and around 100 from Gajapati are expected to participate in the examination. To facilitate this, all block development officers (BDOs) in the affected areas have been instructed to ensure candidates can travel freely to and from their exam centers.

In contrast, the opposition party Biju Janata Dal (BJD) criticized the government's decision as "unjust" and "inhumane."

Ipsita Sahu, president of Biju Chhatra Janata Dal, expressed that holding the OCS main examination while many candidates are stranded due to flooding is "unacceptable."

She highlighted that extensive flooding in the Rushikulya River has submerged large areas in Ganjam and Gajapati districts, leaving hundreds of candidates and countless others trapped. Sahu urged the state government to take necessary actions to alleviate the situation.