SC, ST Quotas in Central Workforce Fully Met, OBC Representation Exceeds 27%: Centre Reports
New Delhi, Dec 19: The representation of Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs) in the central government workforce adheres to the prescribed quotas, Union Minister of State for Personnel Jitendra Singh informed the Rajya Sabha on Thursday.
As per data provided by various ministries and departments, as of January 1, 2024, the central government workforce comprises 5.47 lakh employees from SCs, 2.82 lakh from STs, and 8.55 lakh from Other Backward Classes (OBCs). “The representation of SCs and STs stands at 15% and 7.5%, respectively, in line with the prescribed limits. Additionally, the representation of OBCs in direct recruitment has consistently exceeded 27% over the last decade,” Singh stated in a written reply.
Responding to a query about the absence of reservation data in the Annual Report (2023-24) of the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT), Singh attributed it to delays in data collection and reconciliation. “Obtaining complete and accurate data from ministries and departments is a time-consuming process. At the time of finalising the Annual Report, the relevant data was incomplete and required reconciliation. Consequently, it was not included in the report. However, the data has since been reconciled,” Singh clarified.
On the issue of vacancies in central government posts, Singh said that filling vacant positions is an ongoing process overseen by individual ministries and departments. “Data on sanctioned posts and vacancies is maintained by the respective ministries. They have been directed periodically to fill up vacant posts within a stipulated timeframe,” he noted.
To expedite the recruitment process, the government has been leveraging the ‘Rozgar Mela’ initiative, launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on October 22, 2022. Singh highlighted that 13 Rozgar Melas have been conducted across 45-50 cities nationwide, leading to the distribution of several lakh appointment letters to successful candidates.
The government’s focus on maintaining the representation of SCs, STs, and OBCs in central services underscores its commitment to social equity and inclusivity. Alongside efforts to address data transparency and streamline recruitment, initiatives like the Rozgar Mela are pivotal in bridging workforce gaps and promoting employment opportunities across the nation.
