NEW DELHI: A recent trend in India reveals that highly educated individuals are increasingly applying for low-paying government jobs. For instance, Haryana Kaushal Rozgar Nigam Limited (HKRN) reported that 39,990 graduates and 6,112 postgraduates applied for sweeper positions, which offer a modest Rs 15,000 per month. According to a TNN report, over 1.2 lakh undergraduates also sought these roles.Similarly, in Uttar Pradesh, nearly 50 lakh students applied for 60,000 police constable vacancies earlier this year. About 47 lakh candidates competed for 26,000 constable posts in central government security agencies. Even for roles like office boys and drivers in government departments, the number of applicants surged to 26 lakh for just 7,500 positions in 2023. This surge underscores the severe challenges in India’s job market.
Craze for low-paying government jobs: The triggers
Government jobs are highly coveted in India due to their perceived security and benefits and high rate of educated unemployment.
High Rate of Educated Unemployment: The high rate of educated unemployment in India significantly fuels this trend. According to the International Labour Organization (ILO) 2024 report, India faces a severe employment crisis, with crores competing for limited positions despite rapid economic growth. The labour market data, as reported by TNN, reveals a stark contrast: of the 97.2 crore working-age individuals, only 58.6 crore are employed. Out of these, just 15.2 crore hold organised sector jobs, including both private and government positions. Government jobs account for only 1.4 crore, meaning merely 2 out of every 100 jobs are in the public sector. Consequently, only 1.4% of the working-age population can secure a government job, intensifying competition for these roles.
Security and Stability in Government Jobs: Government jobs are perceived to offer better job security compared to the private sector. Entry-level government positions typically offer a salary of around Rs 33,000 per month, along with benefits like house rent allowance, dearness allowance, and paid leave. This contrasts sharply with the private sector, where many low-skill jobs pay around Rs 10,000 per month and often lack job security or benefits.
Lack of Job Security in the Private Sector: Many private sector jobs are characterised by poor working conditions and lack of stability. According to data from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), while total employment in India reached 64.33 crore in 2023/24, a substantial portion consists of informal sector jobs with limited security and benefits.
Proposed solutions
To address the issue of overwhelming competition for government jobs, several solutions can be considered. Expanding opportunities in light manufacturing and labour-intensive industries could create more jobs, as seen in countries like Bangladesh. Additionally, enhancing the quality of education and focussing on technical skills would better prepare the workforce for the evolving job market. Investing in the services sector, particularly in high-skilled and exportable services, could also provide viable employment alternatives. Furthermore, implementing a universal unemployment benefit system would offer financial security and reduce reliance on government jobs, helping to balance the job market and provide a safety net for job seekers.
Craze for low-paying government jobs: The triggers
Government jobs are highly coveted in India due to their perceived security and benefits and high rate of educated unemployment.
High Rate of Educated Unemployment: The high rate of educated unemployment in India significantly fuels this trend. According to the International Labour Organization (ILO) 2024 report, India faces a severe employment crisis, with crores competing for limited positions despite rapid economic growth. The labour market data, as reported by TNN, reveals a stark contrast: of the 97.2 crore working-age individuals, only 58.6 crore are employed. Out of these, just 15.2 crore hold organised sector jobs, including both private and government positions. Government jobs account for only 1.4 crore, meaning merely 2 out of every 100 jobs are in the public sector. Consequently, only 1.4% of the working-age population can secure a government job, intensifying competition for these roles.
Security and Stability in Government Jobs: Government jobs are perceived to offer better job security compared to the private sector. Entry-level government positions typically offer a salary of around Rs 33,000 per month, along with benefits like house rent allowance, dearness allowance, and paid leave. This contrasts sharply with the private sector, where many low-skill jobs pay around Rs 10,000 per month and often lack job security or benefits.
Lack of Job Security in the Private Sector: Many private sector jobs are characterised by poor working conditions and lack of stability. According to data from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), while total employment in India reached 64.33 crore in 2023/24, a substantial portion consists of informal sector jobs with limited security and benefits.
Proposed solutions
To address the issue of overwhelming competition for government jobs, several solutions can be considered. Expanding opportunities in light manufacturing and labour-intensive industries could create more jobs, as seen in countries like Bangladesh. Additionally, enhancing the quality of education and focussing on technical skills would better prepare the workforce for the evolving job market. Investing in the services sector, particularly in high-skilled and exportable services, could also provide viable employment alternatives. Furthermore, implementing a universal unemployment benefit system would offer financial security and reduce reliance on government jobs, helping to balance the job market and provide a safety net for job seekers.
