Nishant Saxena
The recent Staff Selection Commission’s (SSC) Multi Tasking Staff (MTS Non-Technical) 2023 recruitment exam in Uttar Pradesh has witnessed an astonishing surge in applications for Group D jobs, with more than 55 lakh candidates competing for positions such as peon, watchman, gardener, and more.
The application numbers highlight the severity of the unemployment crisis faced by educated youth in the region, as individuals with higher qualifications, including BTech, MBA, MTech, BBA, MA, and MSc degrees, have also applied for these positions.
According to the SSC Central Region Office in Prayagraj, a staggering 19,04,139 candidates from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar have applied out of the total applications received, which amounts to 55,21,917.
Although the minimum educational requirement for these positions is a high school diploma, the presence of candidates with advanced degrees in various disciplines, such as BTech, MTech, and MBA, underscores the fierce competition for Class IV jobs.
The unexpectedly high influx of qualified applicants reflects the challenges faced by highly educated individuals in securing suitable employment opportunities.
The SSC’s recruitment notification mentioned approximately 10,880 MTS posts and 529 Havildar CBIC and CBN posts available for the years 2020-2022. Interested candidates were invited to apply between January 18 and February 24.
Applicants ranged in age from 18 to 27 years, with specific exemptions provided for candidates from reserved categories as per the rules and regulations. The overwhelming number of qualified candidates applying for Class IV positions raises concerns about the prevailing youth unemployment situation in the country.