20 lakh promotions cleared in 11 years: Dr Jitendra
Paswan joins event at Jammu, LG Ladakh at Leh
Sanjeev Pargal
JAMMU, Jan 24: Prime Minister Narendra Modi today distributed 61,000 appointment letters among the youth virtually across the country as he addressed 18th Rozgar Mela from New Delhi saying India is creating new opportunities for the youth both within the country and abroad.
Follow the Daily Excelsior channel on WhatsApp
Union Minister for Food Processing Industries Chirag Paswan distributed job letters at BSF Headquarters at Paloura in Jammu while Union Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) Dr Jitendra Singh coordinated the programme from New Delhi.
Union Minister of Commerce and Industries Jitin Prasada had to join the Rozgar Mela at Srinagar but couldn’t make it while another Union MoS Raksha Khadse, who was scheduled to join the programme at Leh in the Union Territory of Ladakh, was unable to reach there because of bad weather conditions. In her absence, Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh Kavinder Gupta distributed appointment letters among the youth.
A total of 61,000 job letters were given to youth in the Rozgar Melas held at 45 locations across the country. The Union Ministers, Chief Ministers and other public representatives were present in the functions at different places.
This was 18th Rozgar Mela.
A PMO statement said the Rozgar Mela is a key initiative aimed at translating this vision into action in line with the Prime Minister’s commitment to accord the highest priority to employment generation.
Since its inception, more than 11 lakh recruitment letters have been issued through Rozgar Melas organized across the country.
The newly recruited candidates, selected from all parts of India, joined various Ministries and departments of the Government.
The new appointees will be serving in the Ministry of Home Affairs, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Department of Financial Services, Department of Higher Education, among others.
Addressing the Rozgar Mela through video conferencing, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said India is signing trade and mobility agreements with several countries to bring new opportunities for the youth of the nation
“India has the maximum number of youngsters in the world and the Government was making efforts to create new opportunities for the youth within the country and abroad,” he said and urged the new appointees to consider the appointment letters as an invitation to join nation building and a pledge to work for creating a developed India.
Urging the youth to work with the motto ‘Nagrik Devo Bhava’ (citizen is akin to God) while discharging their duties, the Prime Minister asked them to recall their experiences at Government offices in previous years.
He said that India’s startup ecosystem was expanding rapidly, with nearly two lakh registered startups employing over 21 lakh youth.
Modi said ‘Digital India’ has expanded a new economy, with India emerging as a global hub in animation, digital media, and several other sectors.
“Today, the nation has embarked on the reform express, aimed at making both life and business easier,” he said.
The Rozgar Mela at Jammu was presided over by the Union Minister for Food Processing Industries Chirag Paswan who distributed the appointment letter to new recruits from different areas of the region.
Addressing the gathering, Paswan highlighted the Government’s assurance to youth empowerment, employment generation and inclusive development, stating that the Rozgar Mela reflects the Prime Minister’s vision of “Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas and Sabka Prayas.”
Acknowledging the role of armed forces, he emphasized that the soldiers guarding the nation on the frontlines are making immense sacrifices to ensure peace, security, and happiness for citizens, and through their dedication, they have earned India a respected and dignified position on the global stage.
The Union Minister emphasized that initiatives like the Rozgar Mela stand as a strong example of the Government of India’s guarantee towards transparent, merit-based and corruption-free recruitment. He urged the newly appointed candidates to move ahead with honesty, dedication, and a sense of national service in realizing the Prime Minister’s vision of a Viksit Bharat by 2047. The Minister added that Rozgar Mela highlights the Government’s mission to create meaningful employment avenues and strengthen institutional recruitment mechanisms.
Paswan further stated that bringing marginalized and underrepresented sections of society into the mainstream is essential for building a truly developed nation. He added that structured recruitment drives like the Rozgar Mela not only provide employment but also ensure dignity, stability, and long-term career opportunities for the youth.
Meanwhile, Union Minister of State in the PMO Dr Jitendra Singh said record number of appointment letters were issued for Central Government jobs, and over 20 lakh pending promotions were cleared in the past 11 years.
Addressing the Rozgar Mela event, he also cited several reforms aimed at making recruitment to Government services more candidate-friendly.
Dr Singh said appointments through the three major central recruiting agencies — Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), Staff Selection Commission (SSC) and Railway Recruitment Boards — have risen sharply.
Between 2004 and 2014, these agencies together made 7.22 lakh appointments. However, since 2014, this number has increased by one-and-a-half times, to 10.96 lakh, he said.
Referring to backlog vacancies related to reserved categories, he said while only 1.08 lakh such appointments were made earlier, the figure has increased nearly four-fold to 4.79 lakh over the past 11 years.
These measures have helped address delays and inequities in Government recruitment and representation, he asserted.
“More than 20 lakh long-pending promotions have been cleared in the last 11 years, ending a prolonged phase of stagnation that once saw many Government employees retire from the same post at which they were appointed,” Dr Jitendra Singh said.
The clearance of promotions reflects a broader transformation in the Government’s human resource management, alongside faster recruitment and greater transparency, he said, adding that these steps have addressed long-standing concerns related to career progression within Government services.
Drawing attention to the growing induction of women constables, Dr Singh said policy changes introduced in the past 11 years have led to increased participation of women in security forces.
He emphasized that women personnel are now deployed even along the zero line on the border in the Border Security Force, and said at the Republic Day parade on January 26, an all-male Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) contingent will be led by a woman Assistant Commandant.
The Minister said the success of Rozgar Mela has encouraged several State Governments to adopt similar initiatives, and emphasized that public sector jobs are only one part of a wider employment strategy.
Dr Singh noted higher inclusion of Scheduled Tribe (ST) candidates, stating that around 14.6 per cent of the appointees at this edition of the Rozgar Mela belong to the ST category, about double the prescribed reservation level, reflecting prioritization of tribal communities.
In Srinagar, the Rozgar Mela was held at BSF Frontier Headquarters, Srinagar and appointment letters were distributed among the candidates selected in the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs).
The event witnessed participation of officials from concerned departments, representatives of recruiting agencies and newly appointed candidates.
An official handout said the family members of selected candidates appreciated the Central Government’s efforts towards employment generation and transparent recruitment.
Meanwhile, Lieutenant Governor Kavinder Gupta handed over job letters among the youth in the absence of Union Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Sports Raksha Khadse in Leh.
Addressing, Gupta described the occasion as a proud moment saying the Rozgar Mela is a landmark initiative under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to empower youth and ensure their active participation in nation-building.
Gupta emphasized that newly appointed youth represent the nation’s energy, dedication and confidence and when these qualities are aligned with public service, they contribute directly to national progress.
Referring to the Government’s continuous efforts towards achieving the goal of Viksit Bharat, the LG Ladakh noted that youth have played vital role in India’s development over past 11 years and that the Rozgar Mela has emerged as a powerful platform for employment generation with more than 11 lakh appointment letters issued so far.
Follow our WhatsApp channel
