Recently, Rajasthan announced 53,749 Class IV (peon / chaperasi / Grade IV) government job vacancies through the Rajasthan Staff Selection Board (RSSB). The application window drew more than 24.75 lakh individuals—roughly 468 applicants per vacancy. Notably, only 10th-grade pass was required for eligibility, yet a huge fraction of applicants were overqualified graduates, postgraduates, and even PhD-holders.
Also Read:Cloudburst in Dehradun: What It Reveals About Rising Climate Risks
Overqualification and Aspirations Among Youth
About 75–90% of those applying had educational qualifications well above what was required—ranging from BA, BSc, MA, MSc to BTech, MBA, PhD. Many of these applicants were also preparing for higher competitive or administrative exams like RAS, Patwari, etc., but applied here seeking job security. Their willingness to take a peon role, despite higher degrees, highlights desperation among educated unemployed youth.
Logistics, Exam Conduction and Security Measures
The recruitment exam is scheduled from 19 to 21 September in two shifts daily at 1,286 centers across 38 districts. Because of the massive crowd, the exam centers had strict security checks—removal of jewelry, checking for Bluetooth devices, even cutting sacred threads at some centers. Dress code violations, like wearing jeans, led to candidates being denied entry. Heavy traffic and crowding were reported post-exam at major bus stands in Jaipur, as numerous candidates from far districts traveled for the exam.
What It Reveals About Unemployment in Rajasthan
The scale and profile of applicants underline deeper structural problems:
- Mismatch Between Education and Jobs – Many with higher education degrees find no suitable job roles matching their qualification. Hence, even low-skill roles are being considered.
- Job Insecurity in Private Sector – Candidates prefer government jobs because of stability, regular pay, pension benefits, and social prestige.
- Huge Unregistered Unemployment – Officially, there are ~18 lakh registered unemployed youth in Rajasthan, but estimates put real figures between 30–35 lakh.
- Administrative Burden – The system’s capacity gets stretched: portals crashing under load, delays, normalization of results due to multiple shifts, and immense demand for even low-skill government posts.
Also Read : Nitin Gadkari Major Warning After Operation Sindoor: ‘World War III Could Erupt Anytime
Why Educated Are Applying for Low-Skill Posts
- Economic Pressure: Many have been unemployed for long, or have spent years preparing for higher-level exams without success. A secure government job becomes a fallback.
- Lack of Private-sector Opportunities: Even with qualifications, private sector jobs may not guarantee job security, career progression, or benefits.
- Cultural/Social Expectations: Government jobs carry prestige and are often seen as a reliable and respected path. Families often value them highly.
- Examination Strategy: Some apply for low-level posts while continuing to prepare for bigger exams. This mitigates risk of having no job.
Possible Impacts and What Needs to Change
- Policy adjustments: Government and policymakers may need to think about creating roles that match the skills of overqualified youth, not just low-skill positions.
- Strengthening Vocational Training: Encouraging alternate structures—vocational, technical, apprenticeships—to reduce dependence on government jobs.
- Transparent and Efficient Recruitment: Handling exam leaks, fraud, normalization of marks to ensure fairness.
- Private Sector Growth: Stimulating job creation outside the public sector in Rajasthan, particularly in industries that can absorb graduates and postgraduates.
- Support for Unemployment: Providing stipends, subsidies, and support systems for unemployed graduates waiting for better roles.
Conclusion
The peon recruitment drive in Rajasthan reveals rising unemployment among educated youth across the state. Thousands of highly qualified graduates are now applying for basic government jobs to secure stability. This overwhelming response proves that educational degrees alone do not guarantee employment in today’s economy. Many candidates see even low-skill jobs as protection against growing financial and career uncertainty. If the government ignores this trend, youth frustration and social dissatisfaction will continue to rise sharply.
Also Read: GST 2.0 Explained: What Changes from September 22, 2025?
