India, March 4 -- Two job aspirants from Odisha, running to prove their physical fitness for government jobs, passed away while undergoing the test, officials said.

On Monday, Prabin Kumar Panda from Rourkela city and Byomokesh Nayak of Keonjhar district ran 25km as part of their physical efficiency test conducted by the Odisha Staff Selection Commission for recruitment to the posts of forest guards, foresters, and livestock inspectors.

Panda, during the 25km run from Bhabanipur to Baragad, collapsed near Kirei under the Rourkela Sadar police limits. Despite being rushed to a hospital, doctors declared him dead on arrival.

Nayak fell ill after running just half of the distance. He was admitted to Koenjhar district hospital and then to ...