Odisha cancels ANM test hours before start amid social media leak claims

The Odisha government canceled the Auxiliary Nurse Midwifery (ANM) exam on Dec 11 just hours before it was scheduled, following allegations that the question paper had been leaked.

The issue was raised in the state assembly by Congress MLA CS Raazen Ekka during a debate on unemployment.

Director of Medical Education and Training Santosh Kumar Mishra confirmed the cancellation, saying, “Following allegations of a question leak, the second-year annual exam was postponed and an inquiry ordered.”

The exam, scheduled for 2 pm on Dec 11, was expected to see the participation of over 10,000 students.

Earlier, MLA Ekka informed the assembly that the questions had been circulating on social media around 11 am, roughly three hours before the test.

Speaking during an adjournment motion debate, Law Minister Prithiviraj Harichandan highlighted that the BJP government has been implementing measures to improve transparency in exams and recruitment.

He added that paper leaks and recruitment scams were a legacy of previous administrations, when syndicates operated openly.

Harichandan said the current government had introduced reforms, including restricting the outsourcing of exams, which had been widespread in the past.

Referring to irregularities in recruitment exams such as those for police sub-inspector posts, he added, “That’s a reason the govt decided to form the Odisha Uniformed Service Staff Selection Board for all uniformed services.”

The postponement of the ANM exam comes amid heightened scrutiny of exam processes and efforts to ensure fair and transparent recruitment in the state.