In a significant move to uphold transparency and integrity in government recruitment, the Orissa High Court has cancelled the Main Written Examination for Assistant Section Officer (ASO) posts that was originally conducted on July 13, 2025.
The decision affects 7,113 candidates who had qualified in the preliminary round, with a fresh exam now scheduled for December 7, 2025. The court’s order, detailed in an official notice dated November 12, 2025, stems from doubts regarding the fairness of the initial mains exam process. While specific irregularities were not outlined in the notice, the high court emphasised its commitment to ensuring an equitable selection for the posts advertised under Recruitment Advertisement No. 02/2024.
This cancellation comes amid growing scrutiny of competitive exams in India, where allegations of leaks and malpractices have plagued several high-stakes recruitments in recent years.
The rescheduled examination will be held in three sittings on a Sunday, allowing candidates to focus on one subject at a time without overlap.
Time Table
- First Sitting: English, from 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM
- Second Sitting: General Awareness & Test of Reasoning, from 12:00 Noon to 1:00 PM
- Third Sitting: Mathematics, from 2:30 PM to 4:30 PM
Candidates are advised to download their e-admit cards starting from 10:00 AM on November 17, 2025, up until 5:00 PM on December 5, 2025. The admit cards can be accessed via the Orissa High Court’s official website (www.orissahighcourt.nic.in) (www.orissahighcourt.nic.in) under the Recruitment Corner in the Examination Portal. Any discrepancies in the admit cards must be reported immediately to the court’s Recruitment Cell via phone at 9437498780, no later than the December 5 deadline.
As the exam date approaches, educational experts recommend that affected candidates revise key topics in English, reasoning, and mathematics while maintaining focus on time management during the sittings.
