Bihar has witnessed an extraordinary surge in applications for low-skill government positions, with over 5 lakh candidates applying for the posts of gardeners and watchmen. What makes this situation particularly striking is that among the applicants are thousands of graduates, postgraduates, MBA holders, and even engineering professionals who are willing to take up these minimal-responsibility roles simply for the sake of secure employment.
The Bihar government advertised vacancies for approximately 30,000 to 40,000 positions across various departments, including ward boys, peons, gardeners, and watchmen. The sheer volume of applications received has been described as alarming by officials and analysts alike. Each vacancy appears to have attracted around 12 to 15 thousand applicants on average, a figure that underscores the desperation in the job market.
Educational qualification data released by the state election commission reveals that a significant portion of applicants hold degrees in arts, science, and commerce. However, a notable number also include individuals with professional qualifications such as MBAs from recognized institutions and Bachelor of Technology degrees from engineering colleges across the country. Many of these candidates had previously worked in private sector roles or were preparing for competitive examinations when they decided to apply for these positions.
Employment experts say this trend reflects a structural crisis in the Indian economy, where the number of degree holders far exceeds the availability of suitable jobs. The phenomenon is not unique to Bihar but is especially pronounced there due to the state's large population and historically high unemployment rates. Young people are increasingly willing to lower their expectations and apply for any government position, no matter how unrelated to their education, because government jobs offer job security, pension benefits, and social status.
Civil society groups have criticized the situation, arguing that it represents a massive waste of human capital. They say that when engineering graduates and MBA holders end up competing for watchman positions, it signals a failure of the education system and the broader economic framework to absorb skilled workers into meaningful employment.
Government sources have confirmed that the selection process will proceed through written exams and document verification as per existing rules. Officials acknowledge the unusual nature of the applicant pool but maintain that merit-based selection will continue regardless of the educational background of candidates.
