As of March 1, 2023, nearly one in four civilian posts in the central government was vacant, marking the third consecutive year of high vacancy rates. This data comes from the latest Finance Ministry report on pay and allowances for central government employees. The report highlights a concerning trend: the sanctioned strength of civilian employees is also on the decline.
Vacancies by the Numbers
The report shows that as of March 31, 2023, the sanctioned strength of civilian employees across central government departments and Union Territories was over 40 lakh. Out of these, over 9.7 lakh positions—or a little over 24%—were vacant.
Vacancy Rates Across Employee Groups
- Group C (Non-Gazetted): This group had the highest vacancy rate, with over 33% of posts unfilled.
- Group B (Gazetted): With around 16% vacant positions, this group experienced the lowest vacancy rate among the categories.
Possible Reasons for High Vacancy Rates
While the report does not specify reasons for the vacancies, several factors are believed to contribute:
- Delayed Recruitment Processes: Lengthy recruitment procedures are slowing down the hiring process, leaving many posts vacant for extended periods.
- Retirement Rates: Positions are not being filled quickly enough to replace retiring employees.
- Outsourcing of Jobs: Certain roles are being outsourced to external agencies, reducing the number of positions available for full-time government employees.
Government Efforts to Fill Vacancies
Despite the high vacancy rates, the government has consistently attempted to address this issue. Through initiatives like Rozgar Melas, which provide employment opportunities and appointment letters to new recruits, the government aims to fill vacant posts. At the most recent Rozgar Mela on October 29, 2023, Prime Minister Narendra Modi distributed over 51,000 appointment letters to youth entering central government roles.
Major Central Government Employers
Five key ministries and departments account for 92% of all central government civilian employees. Here’s a breakdown of their workforce statistics:
Railways
- Sanctioned Strength: 14.89 lakh positions
- Positions Filled: 11.73 lakh
- Vacancies: Over 3 lakh (almost 20%)
Home Affairs
- Sanctioned Strength: 11.12 lakh
- Positions Filled: 9.84 lakh
- Vacancies: Around 1.28 lakh
Defence (Civilian)
- Sanctioned Strength: 5.77 lakh
- Positions Filled: 3.33 lakh
- Vacancies: 2.44 lakh
Department of Posts
- Sanctioned Strength: 2.50 lakh
- Positions Filled: 1.77 lakh
- Vacancies: 73,000
Department of Revenue
- Sanctioned Strength: 1.79 lakh
- Positions Filled: 1.06 lakh
- Vacancies: 73,000
Railways alone employs around 40% of all central government civilian employees, making it the largest civilian employer in the government.
Expenditure on Pay and Allowances
The report also reveals a significant increase in expenditure on pay and allowances for central government civilian employees. In the fiscal year 2022-23, this expenditure rose by over 7% to reach ₹2.75 lakh crore, compared to ₹2.56 lakh crore in the previous fiscal year. Notably, more than 80% of this expenditure was incurred by just four ministries: Railways, Defence (Civil), Home Affairs, and Posts.
