Sabotaging Odisha Police SI recruitment exam; Rs 25 lakh per candidate deal for job under scanner

Odisha Police, acting on confidential information from an anonymous source, arrested 117 individuals on charges of a large-scale attempt to sabotage the upcoming Odisha Police Sub-Inspector (SI) recruitment exam.

The operation was carried out after Berhampur Police intercepted three AC sleeper buses near the Andhra Pradesh border late Monday night.

Suspicious Travel Leads To Investigation

According to a press note released by Odisha Police, authorities found that 114 of the passengers were candidates for the OPRB Sub-Inspector exam, while the remaining three were agents facilitating the operation.

The candidates had boarded the buses near Baramunda in Bhubaneswar and were travelling to an undisclosed location in Vijayanagaram, under the guidance of the agents.

Organised Crime And Bribery Uncovered

Investigation revealed that all the candidates and agents were part of an alleged organised racket aimed at obtaining the confidential question papers in advance.

Sources confirmed that the scheme involved payments of Rs 25 lakh per candidate, split into Rs 10 lakh initially and Rs 15 lakh after confirmation of selection. Authorities also stated that several more agents and middlemen are suspected of being involved in the illegal network.

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FIR Registered, Legal Action Underway

An FIR has been registered at Golanthara Police Station under multiple sections of the Odisha Public Examination (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024, including 319(2), 318(4), 338, 336(3), 340(2), 11 1/61(2)/3(5) BNS, and other relevant provisions.

All 117 persons are in police custody and will be produced before the court. Further investigations are ongoing to identify and apprehend additional suspects.

OPRB Postpones CPSE-2024 Exam, Blocks Admit Card Download

In view of the sensitivity of the case, the Odisha Police Recruitment Board (OPRB) issued an official notice confirming malpractice and illegal activities linked to the Sub-Inspector recruitment.

The  CPSE-2024 written examination, which was earlier scheduled for October 5 and 6, 2025, was postponed by the concerned officials on Tuesday. Now, the downloading of admit cards has also been put on hold until further notice.