Orissa High Court Cancels ASO Main Exam Amid Recruitment Scandal

The Orissa High Court has canceled the main examination for Assistant Section Officers due to concerns about the integrity of the process. A new exam date has been set for December 7 for the candidates who qualified. The court's decision follows revelations about the involvement of Silicon Tech in the recruitment process, which is under investigation for irregularities. The CBI has taken over the inquiry into the Sub-Inspector recruitment scam, with numerous arrests already made. This situation raises significant questions about the fairness and transparency of government recruitment processes in Odisha.

By Ambika Singh Nov 15, 2025, 12:21 IST

Cancellation of the ASO Main Examination

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

New Examination Date Announced

Registrar (Examinations) SK Dash Ray announced on Wednesday that a new examination is scheduled for December 7, aimed at the 7,113 candidates who qualified for the main exam after the preliminary test on May 4.

Court's Statement on Examination Fairness

What the Court Stated:
The court expressed, "Due to serious concerns regarding the main written examination's conduct by the appointed agency, we have decided to cancel the examination held on July 13, 2025, to uphold fairness in the process."

Examination Structure

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

E-Admit Card Availability

Candidates can access their e-admit cards from the recruitment section of the High Court's website between November 17 and December 5.

Recruitment Scam Investigation

Involvement of Silicon Tech:
Reports indicate that the Orissa High Court's decision to cancel the examination was influenced by revelations that Silicon Tech, implicated in the Sub-Inspector recruitment scandal, was responsible for overseeing the examination process.

Additionally, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has officially taken charge of the inquiry into the Sub-Inspector of Police recruitment scam, having registered a case at its Bhubaneswar office.

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

As part of the ongoing investigation, the Odisha Police Crime Branch has arrested 126 individuals, including 114 candidates seeking positions.