The Board of Secondary Education (BSE) has indefinitely postponed the Special Odisha Teacher Eligibility Test (OTET), citing unavoidable circumstances. The exam, earlier scheduled for August 31, will now be rescheduled, with new dates to be announced later. This marks the fourth postponement, leaving thousands of aspirants anxious and uncertain.
Exam Details and Sudden Disruption
The Special OTET was meant to include both Paper-1 and Paper-2, with nearly 75,000 candidates set to appear. Paper-1 was scheduled from 9 am to 11:30 am and Paper-2 from 2 pm to 4:30 pm. Admit cards were to be available from August 22. The abrupt announcement has, however, disrupted the plans of candidates who had prepared extensively.
History of Repeated Postponements
This is not the first disruption. The exam was originally scheduled for July 20 but was cancelled on the very morning of the test, even after candidates had reached their centres. Allegations of leaked handwritten question papers circulated on social media, forcing the board to postpone and later fix a new date of August 31. With yet another deferment, concerns are mounting over the credibility of the process.
Rising Anger and Anxiety Among Aspirants
Aspirants, who have invested significant time and resources, are increasingly restless. Each delay adds to their frustration and uncertainty. Political observers and education experts have criticised the board, pointing to systemic lapses and warning that the repeated failures are eroding trust in the examination system.
BSE’s Assurance to Candidates
While the BSE has promised to conduct the exam at the earliest, it has offered no clear reason beyond “unavoidable circumstances.” Candidates have been advised to keep checking the official website for updates. However, the lack of transparency continues to raise doubts over whether the process will be conducted fairly and on time.