How India recruits government employees — and why so few make it

India's "sarkari naukri" holds significant appeal, with millions applying annually for limited government positions. The economic realities of scarce private jobs, social psychology, benefits, and limited entrepreneurship opportunities contribute to this appeal. Government jobs are deemed secure due to the lack of systemic support for entrepreneurship.

Recent protests in Jharkhand highlight this appeal. However, the recruitment process and the sheer number of government jobs remain unclear. The Union government employs over 30.62 lakh people as of March 1, 2023, out of a sanctioned strength of over 40 lakh. Permanent employees, including those in defense, railways, postal services, and healthcare, are counted, while contractual employees and consultants are excluded.

Over 1.5 crore government employees are estimated nationwide. The recruitment process for central government positions is managed by entities such as the UPSC, SSC, and various ministries and universities. Every year, millions attempt to enter central government service, with only around 1.20 lakh successful. The UPSC primarily selects Group A and B civil servants, while the SSC handles non-gazetted Group B and Group C positions, and lower-ranked jobs require a minimum qualification of Class 1.