RTI Exposes Stark Reality: No Government Jobs Through Rajasthan Employment Offices in Five Years
In a startling revelation under the Right to Information (RTI) Act, it has been disclosed that not a single candidate was recruited into the government sector through employment offices in Rajasthan over the past five years. This comes amidst a staggering registration of more than 22 lakh unemployed youth across the state, highlighting a critical gap in public employment mechanisms.
Alarming Statistics on Job Seekers
Data provided by the Directorate of Employment, as of January 14, shows a total of 22,21,317 candidates registered as job seekers in district employment offices. The breakdown includes over 13.08 lakh males, 9.12 lakh females, and 989 individuals categorized as 'other'. This massive pool of aspirants underscores the pressing unemployment crisis in Rajasthan.
District-Wise Disparities in Unemployment Registrations
Among the districts, Jaipur recorded the highest number of registered unemployed people at 2.51 lakh, followed by Alwar with 1.53 lakh, Nagaur with 1.34 lakh, Jhunjhunu with 1.22 lakh, and Jodhpur with 86,320. In stark contrast, Jaisalmer and Pratapgarh reported the lowest figures, with only 12,031 and 14,047 registrations respectively, indicating regional imbalances in joblessness.
Category-Wise Distribution of Job Seekers
The category-wise data reveals that candidates from the Other Backward Classes (OBC) form the largest share among registered job seekers. They are followed by general category candidates, Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), and other categories, pointing to socio-economic factors influencing unemployment trends.
Limited Private Sector Placements
While government sector recruitment via employment offices has been nil, placements in the private sector over the past five years have been minimal. According to the RTI information, only 86 candidates were placed in 2021, 825 in 2022, three in 2023, 23 in 2024, and 71 in 2025. These placements occurred through initiatives like job fairs and coordination with private companies, but the numbers remain negligible compared to the vast pool of job seekers.
Criticism and Calls for Action
RTI applicant Chandra Shekhar Gaur expressed concern over the situation, stating, "The private sector has seen high growth in the last two decades with investments in crores, but the jobs provided by the directorate are minuscule. Permanent and temporary jobs in the government sector through the directorate seem to have completely stopped. There is a need to activate employment offices and refer candidates effectively." His application also sought details on employment generated through investor summits, but the department clarified that such information is not within its purview.
Official Response and Departmental Functions
A senior officer from the Directorate of Employment mentioned that the department publishes 'Rojgar Sandesh' fortnightly to keep job seekers informed about various government vacancies. Additionally, activities like job fairs are organized periodically. The official website of the Department of Skills, Employment and Entrepreneurship notes that the department was established in May 2015 for better coordination and speedy execution of programs. Its functions include:
- Providing vocational guidance on courses and training facilities.
- Submitting job seekers' lists to employers.
- Registering unemployed youth.
- Organizing Rozgar Melas (job fairs).
- Assisting job seekers from weaker sections under special schemes.
Despite these stated functions, the RTI data paints a grim picture of actual job placements, raising questions about the effectiveness of these initiatives in addressing Rajasthan's unemployment challenges.
