A.P. Endowments Department adopts merit-based recruitment for temple vedic staff posts

The Andhra Pradesh Endowments Department has implemented a merit-based recruitment process for temple Vedic staff positions, as announced by Commissioner K. Ramachandra Mohan on September 28, 2026. The new selection approach emphasizes evaluating candidates based on their written and oral examination performances, aiming to ensure the appropriate execution of temple rituals according to religious and traditional customs.

In the initial phase, the department received 580 applications from Vedic scholars for 344 available posts. Out of the 14 candidates selected for merit, appointments were made in various temples. The second phase of recruitment is currently underway, with 816 applications received for 107 archaka posts. After evaluating eligibility, hall tickets were issued to 441 candidates for the upcoming written examination based on different Agamas.

A committee consisting of senior Endowments Department officials and supervisory-level staff has been established to oversee the transparent and systematic conduct of the examinations. Candidates who score at least 50% marks in the written examination will be shortlisted for the oral examination in a 1:3 ratio based on merit. The oral assessments will be administered by scholars well-versed in the respective Agamas.

Once the written and oral examination results are consolidated, the final merit list will be created. The allocation of selected candidates to different temples will be made through a "merit-cum-option" system, taking into account the preferences submitted by the applicants.