Odisha Prepares for Physical Tests of 4,683 Candidates in Forest, Excise Recruitment

Bhubaneswar: With physical tests for the recruitment of Foresters, Forest Guards and Excise Constables set to commence on October 12, Odisha Chief Secretary Anu Garg has directed district authorities to ensure comprehensive arrangements for the smooth and safe conduct of the examinations.

The directions were issued during a review meeting held on Friday to assess preparedness for the Physical Test and Physical Efficiency Test under the second Combined Recruitment Examination-2025 conducted by the Odisha Sub-Ordinate Staff Selection Commission (OSSSC). A total of 4,683 eligible candidates will appear for the tests across the state.

The OSSSC briefed the meeting on various aspects of the recruitment process. Senior officials, including secretaries of different departments and the commission’s chairman, attended the meeting, while District Magistrates from all districts joined through video conferencing.

Garg called for strict adherence to recruitment guidelines and stressed that the physical tests must be conducted in a transparent, impartial and orderly manner. She instructed district authorities to ensure the availability of essential facilities at all examination venues, including drinking water, food, toilets, security arrangements and medical support.

To maintain accountability during the tests, officials have been directed to properly document and videograph the physical examination of every candidate.

The Chief Secretary also underscored the importance of emergency medical preparedness, directing authorities to deploy medical teams and ambulances equipped with Basic Life Support (BLS) and Advanced Life Support (ALS) facilities. She emphasised that candidates’ health and safety must remain the top priority throughout the examination process.

District Collectors have been asked to monitor arrangements regularly and ensure that all prescribed rules are followed during the statewide exercise.

With the tests approaching, the review aims to ensure that recruitment proceedings are conducted efficiently, with adequate infrastructure, transparent procedures and necessary safeguards for candidates.