Recruitment drive set to kickstart in Karnataka with number of jobs enhanced to 72,186

The Karnataka government has increased the number of recruitment posts to 72,186 from the previously announced 56,432, bringing joy to thousands of candidates aspiring to work in the state. He also asked that the recruitment process, including issuance of appointment order, be completed within the next six months.

The decision to increase the number came at the last Cabinet meeting, following a circular issued on Wednesday.

Of the total 72,186 positions to be filled through direct recruitment in 51 departments, 40,009 are in different departments that have received approval from the Finance Department since 2023-2024. As many as 32,177 posts belong to Kalyana Karnataka cadre since the Finance Department gave approval for filling up 80% of the vacancies in the district falling under Article 371 J.

According to the Second Administrative Reforms Commission, out of the total 8.16 lakh approved posts in Karnataka, around 36% of 2.94 lakh posts in 43 departments are vacant. The government outsourced approximately 70,492 personnel.

stopped since 2023

Public recruitment had been halted in Karnataka since 2023 as a series of cases related to reservation issues affected the process. Again, due to the impact of the Covid-19 epidemic, the government has even allowed the age limit to be postponed by up to five years in the last six years.

Cases are being heard in the Karnataka High Court against the increase in the reservation quota, which the Supreme Court has capped from 50% to 56%. Nomadic communities have also taken court action against the internal reservation matrix among the Scheduled Castes. While the Karnataka Examination Authority and the Karnataka Public Service Commission notified hundreds of posts and started the process, most of them were not appointed, while in some others, conditional appointments were made subject to the final court decision.

The reservation issue was partially resolved after the Cabinet agreed to revert the quota for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes from 17% to 15% and 7% to 3% respectively, bringing the overall reservation quota to 50%. Internal booking within the 15% Scheduled Players quota was also announced

‘Welcome move’

M. Nagasunder, a Mysuru-based job aspirant, said the start of the recruitment process was a welcome move as the delay had caused intense anxiety among the candidates. “In order for candidates to be well prepared, they need consolidation on staff information, staff information, which groups they belong to, etc.”

In the circular issued by the Department of Personnel and Administrative Units on Thursday, appointing the Additional Chief Secretary and Development Commissioner to supervise the recruitment in 17 departments and the Additional Chief Secretary to supervise the recruitment in 34 departments, it was stated that all recruitment notifications should be made within two months, the examination process should be completed within four months and appointment orders should be submitted within six months.

Government sources said two senior officers have been deputed to monitor the recruitment process and coordinate efforts with the Karnataka Public Service Commission and the Karnataka Examination Authority, the two bodies that oversee recruitment.

“Earlier, department heads would be responsible and experience has shown that departments are slow to respond to KEA or KPSC when clarification is sought on issues such as staffing and reservations, delaying the process. The two officers are expected to ensure that the process goes smoothly,” the source said.