According to police, the physical test was conducted by the district police at Betaguda in Ranipeetha, and the candidates had to complete a two-km run. After completing the run, Misal collapsed and was rushed to the Paralakhemundi district headquarters hospital, where doctors declared him dead.

Padal was among several candidates who fell ill after appearing for the test and were immediately rushed to the Paralakhemundi hospital. When Padal’s condition deteriorated, he was rushed to the MKCG Medical College in Berhampur, where he died in the evening.

Misal, the only son of Pramila, a widow, was in his final year of graduation. To support his family and carry forward his studies, he also practised tailoring. “My son had promised that he would clear the test and get the job. But he never returned. I have no one else in this world,” said Pramila.

The Gajapati police filed two unnatural death cases and are conducting an inquiry into the deaths.

Officials said that over 1,000 male candidates and 200 female candidates participated in the physical test for the Home Guard recruitment drive. The male candidates are required to complete the two-km run in 10 minutes, and the female candidates are required to complete it in 12 minutes.

Expressing concern over the death of two candidates, Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi announced ex gratia of Rs 4 lakh each to their families.

In March, a 19-year-old aspirant died while appearing for the physical endurance test during a Home Guard recruitment drive in Deogarh district. Earlier in that month, two engineers and another youth had died during a 25-km walking test as part of a physical fitness examination for recruitment to the posts of foresters and forest guards.