Why India’s youth compete fiercely for government jobs

29 July 2026
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Recent protests over a leaked examination paper have also brought renewed attention to India's employment challenge. In this piece, Shipra Nigam, Research Director at JustJobs Network, writing for The Hindu, argues that the intense competition for government jobs is not simply about a preference for public sector employment. It reflects a deeper issue: while educational attainment has expanded significantly, the economy has not generated enough secure, productive, and dignified jobs for young people.