With the uncertainty of job security, the demand for government jobs is constantly on the rise. A data released by the Center for Study of Developing Societies highlighted that attraction of youth towards the government job sector has not witnessed a decline over the past decade. But, finding a suitable government job for yourself is like finding a needle in a haystack.
Money, work-life balance and job security have majorly been the prime factors for job seekers to opt for government jobs. After the implementation of the 7th pay commission, salaries have also been significantly raised. This has increased the motivation of job seekers who are now looking to encash on some fat paycheques. But this has also raised the bar for getting selected in any of the job portfolios. Unemployment and underemployment have together contributed to the increasing competition for securing a government post. We have been hearing a lot about MBA and Ph.D. graduates applying for basic clerical jobs.
Though private sectors offer lucrative salary packages, students still keep it as an ‘alternative option’. So, if you are a “Sarkari Naukri” seeker, we have tried to compile some information that will definitely help you in figuring out what’s best for you. Also, it would save you plenty of time and research.
There are a plethora of opportunities in the government sector ranging from state to central government jobs. But you can only be a part of these government job portfolios if you clear their respective examinations and interviews. Due to a very large number of students applying for these jobs, the selection process has been designed to select only the best amongst them.
Here’s a little guide that paves a pathway to find one:
Exams conducted by the Union Public Service Commission:
The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) conducts exams for the most coveted jobs in the country for central government posts. Their exams cover portfolios like Indian Administrative Services (IAS), Indian Foreign Services (IFS), Indian Police Services (IPS), Officers of the Indian Armed Forces, and Indian Forest Services. Their different exams are listed below.
1.Civil Services Examination
The Civil Services Examination recruits candidates for different All India Services for different group A and group B jobs in different ministries and departments. The examination is a three-round process. The first round is called CSE-Pre which contains objective type questions. The second round is for the students who qualify the Pre round. This round is called CSE-Mains where the questions are subjective in nature based on the subjects the selected candidates choose. After clearing the second round, candidates are called for an interview.
2.Combined Defence Services Examination
The “Combined Defence Services” Examination is conducted twice a year by the Union Public Service Commission for recruitment into the Indian Military Academy, Officers Training Academy, Indian Naval Academy, and Indian Air Force Academy. The two-stage examination can only be given after the candidates complete their graduation and till the age of 24.
3. National Defence Academy and Naval Academy Examination
The NDA examination is conducted by the UPSC for recruiting candidates in the National Defence Academy (NDA), Khadakwasla, Pune. The NDA is the joint services academy of the Indian Armed Forces, where cadets of the three services, the Army, the Navy, and the Air Force train together before they go on to respective service academies for further pre-commissioning training. The NDA is the first tri-service academy in the world. Candidates can appear for the examination right after completing their 12th class and till the age of 19.
4.Central Armed Police Forces Examination
The Central Armed Police Forces are generally known as security forces of India such as the Border Security Force (BSF), Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) and Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB). Recruitments of officers in CAPFs are conducted through the Central Armed Police Forces (Assistant Commandants) Examination that is conducted by UPSC every year. Candidates who have completed their graduation can apply for the examination.
5.Indian Engineering Services Examination
The Indian Engineering Services (IES) are the services that cater to the technical and managerial functions of the Government of India in the field of engineering. The minimum educational requirement is a bachelor’s degree in engineering (B.E. or B.Tech) from a recognized university or the equivalent. An M.Sc. degree or equivalent with wireless communications, electronics, radio physics or Radio Engineering as special subjects are also acceptable for certain services or posts.
The age range is 21–30 years on 1 January of the year of the Engineering Services Examination.
Exams conducted by State Public Service Commission:
The Government of India Act, 1935 provided for the establishment of the Public Service Commission at the Provincial level known as the State Public Service Commission and the constitution of India gave it a constitutional status as autonomous bodies. The State Public Service Commissions recruits candidates for State Civil Services. The process of recruiting the candidates is the same as the UPSC’s CSE. Although the candidates who get selected for these posts are only confined to their respective state jurisdictions. Almost every state in India has its own commission except the Union Territories which have a combined commission-based in Delhi.
Exams conducted by Staff Selection Commission:
The Staff Selection Commission (SSC) recruits staff for various posts particularly in Group B and Group C posts across various Ministries and Departments of the Government of India and in Subordinate Offices.
1.) Combined Graduate Level Examination
The SSC-CGL is an examination conducted to recruit staff to various posts in ministries, departments, and organizations of the Government of India. Candidates applying for the various posts in CGL Exam should have a bachelor’s degree from a recognized university at the time of applying.
2.) Combined Higher Secondary Level Examination
The commission conducts SSC-CHSL, for various posts of Postal Assistants/Sorting Assistants(PA/SA), Data Entry Operator (DEO), Lower Divisional Clerk (LDC) and Court Clerk.
Candidates who have passed their higher secondary examinations are eligible for these jobs.
Exams conducted by the Institute of Bank Personnel Selection:
IBPS is a recruitment body that was started with an aim to encourage the recruitment and placement of young graduates in public sector banks in India, other than the State Bank of India. It also provides standardized systems for assessment and result processing services to organizations.
IBPS functions as an autonomous body that is mainly engaged in conducting competitive exams for recruitment to clerical and officers’ posts in the banking sector.
It conducts four different recruitment processes namely CRP PO/MT, CRP RRBs, CRP Clerical, CRP Specialist Officers under which various exams take place every year for banking sector recruitment.
1.) IBPS PO/MT
IBPS Probationary Officers/Management Trainees Exam takes place for the recruitment of Probationary Officers and Management Trainees’ in the national public sector banks.
2.) IBPS SO Exam
IBPS Specialist Officers Examination takes place for the recruitment of Specialist Officers, which are Scale-I officers in the national public sector banks.
3.) IBPS Clerk Exam
IBPS Clerk Examinationtakes place for the recruitment of clerk posts, which are Scale-I officers in the national public sector banks.
4.) IBPS RRB Office Assistant Examination
IBPS Regional Rural Bank Officer Exam takes place for the recruitment of Office Assistant in Regional Rural Banks, this post is equivalent to Clerk post in National Public Sector Banks.
Examination conducted by the Railway Recruitment Control Board:
Railway Recruitment Control Board is a government organization in India. It was set up in 1998 in the Ministry of Railways (Railway Board), New Delhi. RRB formulates policies regarding recruitment procedures of new employees. There are 21 railway recruitment boards situated in different parts of India.
The railway boards usually announce Group Wise recruitment notification. The posts are under the railway department divided into Gazetted and Non-Gazetted category. Gazetted include (Group ‘A’ and ‘B’) Posts and Non- Gazetted Include (Group ‘C’ and ‘D’) Posts. Candidates with 12th pass, basic graduation are qualified to apply in many portfolios.
Indian Railways is one of the highest recruiters in the country including the private sector. It also ranks amongst the largest job providers in the world.