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Employment Analysis

India's Silent Jobs Emergency

Over 3 crore central government posts lie vacant. Youth unemployment has doubled. The PLFS unemployment report was withheld before elections. This is the data the government doesn't headline.

9.7L

Central Govt Vacancies

78.6%

Posts Filled

7.9%

Overall Unemployment 2024

20.8%

Youth Unemployment 2024

Overall Unemployment (2004–2024)

CMIE / PLFS / Labour Bureau

34.96.88.810.712.6BJP ↑ 201420042006200820102012201420162018202020222024
2004–2013 (UPA era)
2014–2024 (NDA era)
Unit: %

Youth Unemployment (15–29) 2004–2024

PLFS / ILO India Employment Report

06.011.917.923.829.8BJP ↑ 201420042006200820102012201420162018202020222024
2004–2013 (UPA era)
2014–2024 (NDA era)
Unit: %

The Silent Jobs Emergency

India's PLFS 2017-18 report — which revealed unemployment at a 45-year high of 6.1% — was withheld by the government until after the 2019 general elections. CMIE data shows over 3 crore central government posts remain vacant as of 2023. Youth unemployment doubled from 10% under UPA to over 20% under NDA, with education and defence sectors showing the largest unfilled proportions. The National Recruitment Agency (NRA), announced in 2020 to streamline hiring, had conducted no examinations as of 2024.

Sources: PLFS 2017-18 (MOSPI), CMIE CPHS, PRS Legislative Research, CAG India

Data Note: Unemployment figures use CMIE Consumer Pyramids Household Survey and PLFS (Periodic Labour Force Survey) UPSS methodology. Central government vacancy data is compiled from CAG reports and ministry annual reports. Sectoral data is for central government establishments only; state government vacancies are additional.