2 min readNew DelhiUpdated: Feb 26, 2025 09:27 AM IST
In 2021-22, over 2 crore candidates applied for government jobs and only 38,850 candidates were recommended. This is just 0.21 per cent of the number of applications received. The statistics were tabled in the Lok Sabha by Jitendra Singh, Minister of State in the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions and Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office in 2022. Cut to present, Singh while inaugurating the National Startup Festival in Jammu and Kashmir appealed to the students to ‘give up sarkari naukri mindset’.
Through his comments, he wanted youth to recognise their aptitudes and pursue entrepreneurial ventures, rather than solely focusing on government jobs.
This is not the first time when in the public domain, leaders have made comments against the approach of students for sarkari naukri.
Economist and economic advisor to the Council to the Prime Minister, Sanjeev Sanyal, also shared a similar opinion that, students spending 5 to 8 years for preparation for the civil services exam is a ‘waste of youthful energy,’. Additionally, in a podcast with Siddhartha Ahluwalia, Sanyal stated that UPSC is a waste of time.
India has its 65 per cent of population under 35 reflecting large pool of talent that can drive economic growth of country. It is also important to note that the country is witnessing a surge in recruitment especially in Group B and Group C posts, with 1,41,487 candidates recommended for various ministries and departments in 2023-24, stated a release from Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions.
Not only SSC, but UPSC also in 2022-23, recommended 4,195 candidates for various posts, from which 1,697 reserved posts were for SC, ST, OBC, and EWS candidates, the Commission recommended 1,409 candidates, filling 83.1% of the reserved positions.