Non-Filling of Vacancies in Govt. Departments Grave Injustice to Unemployed Youth: says veteran Trade union Leader C. Srikumar

OPINION PIECE

Senior trade unionist and General Secretary of All India Defence Employees Federation (AIDEF), C. Srikumar, has strongly criticized the Government of India for its continued inaction in filling lakhs of vacant posts across Central Government ministries and departments. He termed it a “grave injustice” to the unemployed youth of the nation and a “violation of social justice.”

This comment comes in the wake of a recent reply in the Rajya Sabha by Dr. Jitendra Singh, Minister of State in the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions. In response to a question raised by MP Sanjay Raut, Dr. Singh revealed that the total number of sanctioned posts across Central Government ministries and departments as of March 1, 2021, stood at 40,35,203. However, a significant number of these posts remain unfilled, despite repeated government instructions to conduct timely recruitment.

Adding to this concern, the number of sanctioned posts dropped to 39,60,847 by March 1, 2023, indicating silent abolition of over 74,000 posts, including more than 30,000 in the Ministry of Defence alone.

Unjustified Reductions and Outsourcing

According to Srikumar, “Employment generation is a constitutional obligation under Articles 16 and 41, and interpreted under Article 21 as the right to livelihood.” He highlighted that 10 lakh posts remain vacant as of 2023, with outsourcing and contractualisation being used as stop-gap measures. “This not only dilutes service quality but also results in rampant exploitation of youth,” he stated.

Departments like Railways (over 3.16 lakh posts vacant) and Defence (1.10 lakh civilian posts vacant) are among the worst-hit. “Even critical safety posts remain vacant in the Railways, risking public safety,” Srikumar warned.

Government Employees — The Unsung Heroes of COVID-19

Drawing from the COVID-19 crisis, Srikumar reminded that when private entities abandoned their roles, it was government employees who ensured essential services continued — from medical support and transport to sanitation and electricity supply. “Thousands risked and even lost their lives, yet no compassionate appointments were given to their families,” he said.

He also cited the 7th Central Pay Commission, which recommended workforce restructuring based on future needs — not silent abolition.

Violation of Reservation Mandate

C. Srikumar underscored that non-filling of vacancies directly hits constitutionally mandated reservation policies, with job quotas for OBCs (27%), SCs (15%), STs (7.5%), EWS (10%), Ex-servicemen (10%), and Persons with Disabilities (4%) remaining “only on paper”.

“How Can the Government Talk of Creating 2 Crore Jobs Annually?”

Slamming the government’s tall promises of employment generation, Srikumar questioned, “When the government itself is not filling existing vacancies, how can it claim to create 2 crore jobs annually?”

The demand to fill vacant posts has been a central agenda for trade unions, including the one-day strike on July 9, 2025, led by Central Trade Unions and Federations. The National Council JCM, representing government employees, has persistently raised this demand.

A Call for Policy Reversal

Srikumar urged the Central and State governments to reverse the current trend of outsourcing and privatisation. “It is time for the government to respect the Constitution, protect youth employment, and strengthen the public sector workforce instead of diluting it,” he concluded.

Views given here are those of C. Srikumar, veteran trade union leader and General Secretary of All India Defence Employees’ Association