In a startling display of rising unemployment and educational underemployment, over 24.76 lakh individuals have applied for just 53,749 peon positions in Rajasthan.
The applicant pool includes highly qualified candidates — PhD holders, MBAs, law graduates, and even civil service aspirants — highlighting a deepening crisis in the Indian job market.
This overwhelming response underscores the growing mismatch between education and employment opportunities.
Experts attribute the trend to increasing competition in the job market, slow public sector hiring, and the rampant growth of artificial intelligence and automation, which are rapidly replacing low-skill and even mid-skill jobs.
Many young professionals, unable to secure employment matching their qualifications, are being forced to settle for positions far below their educational levels.
The situation raises urgent questions about job creation policies, the future of traditional employment sectors, and the need to adapt education and skill development to meet changing industry demands.