Orissa High Court Cancels ASO Main Exam Amid Fairness Concerns

The Orissa High Court has annulled the main examination for Assistant Section Officers held on July 13, raising concerns about the examination's integrity. A new date for the exam has been set for December 7, allowing 7,113 candidates to participate. The court's decision follows revelations about the involvement of Silicon Tech in the recruitment process. Meanwhile, the CBI is investigating the Sub-Inspector of Police recruitment scam, with numerous arrests made. This article delves into the details of the court's ruling and the ongoing investigation.

By Ambika Singh Nov 15, 2025, 10:56 IST

Cancellation of the Main Examination

Odisha: The Orissa High Court has annulled the main examination conducted on July 13 for the recruitment of Assistant Section Officers (ASOs), citing concerns regarding the integrity of the examination process.

New Examination Date Announced

In a notification released on Wednesday, Registrar (Examinations) SK Dash Ray announced that a new examination will take place on December 7 for the 7,113 candidates who qualified for the main exam after the preliminary examination held on May 4.

Court's Statement on Examination Integrity

Details from the Court:
The court expressed, "Due to serious concerns regarding the conduct of the main written examination by the appointed agency, we have decided to cancel the examination held on July 13, 2025, to maintain fairness in the process."

Examination Format and Admit Card Information

The upcoming written examination will consist of three sessions: English, General Awareness and Reasoning, and Mathematics.

Candidates are advised to download their e-admit cards from the recruitment section of the High Court's website between November 17 and December 5.

Investigation into SI Recruitment Scam

Involvement of Silicon Tech:
Reports indicate that the Orissa High Court's decision to cancel the main examination was influenced by revelations that Silicon Tech, a firm implicated in the SI recruitment scam, was responsible for overseeing the examination process.

Additionally, the CBI has officially taken charge of the investigation into the Sub-Inspector of Police (SI) recruitment scam, having registered a case at its Bhubaneswar branch.

A specialized team, led by a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), is set to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the alleged irregularities.

So far, the Odisha Police Crime Branch has arrested 126 individuals, including 114 candidates seeking positions.