For thousands of young people in Punjab, securing a government job means much more than earning a salary. It represents stability, dignity and long-term security. Over the past few years, job creation has emerged as a key focus area for the Punjab government, with large-scale recruitment drives carried out across multiple departments.
This sustained push has had a visible impact, particularly in small towns and rural areas, where a single government appointment can transform the financial and social standing of an entire family.
How many jobs have been given?
Since assuming office, the Punjab government has provided tens of thousands of government jobs to youths across the state. Officials say these appointments were made through transparent and merit-based procedures, marking a shift from earlier recruitment practices often criticised for favouritism and corruption.
Recruitment has covered a wide range of roles — from clerical posts and teaching positions to police personnel, healthcare workers, engineers and administrative staff — spanning almost every major department.
Departments with maximum recruitment
The largest number of appointments have been made in key public service sectors, including:
Education Department: teachers, lecturers and support staff
Health Department: doctors, nurses, pharmacists and technicians
Police and Home Affairs: constables, sub-inspectors and drivers
Revenue and Administration: clerks, patwaris and office staff
Public Works and Power Departments
These sectors were prioritised due to their direct impact on public service delivery and governance.
Families with multiple government jobs
Several districts in Punjab have witnessed instances where more than one member of a family has secured a government job. In one such case, three siblings from the same family are now employed in different government departments.
“One of the siblings said, ‘We grew up watching our parents struggle. Today, all three of us have government jobs. We didn’t approach anyone or pay any money — we just prepared and cleared the exams. The process was fair.’”
Another family’s story
In another household, all three children are now working in government services — one in education, one in health and one in the police department.
Their father said the family never imagined such an outcome earlier. “Earlier, jobs were believed to be reserved for the influential. Today, my children were selected purely on merit. It has completely changed our future,” he said.
Such cases underline how recruitment based on merit has helped restore public confidence in the system.
Focus on transparency
A major change highlighted by job aspirants has been the reduction of middlemen and bribery in recruitment. Selection processes, including exams and interviews, are now conducted with clearly defined criteria, published cut-off marks and digital monitoring.
This has encouraged more young people to apply, believing that effort and preparation can genuinely lead to success.
Chief Minister’s stand
Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann has repeatedly stated that the state’s youth should find opportunities within Punjab instead of being forced to migrate in search of work.
“Our goal is to ensure that every capable youth gets an opportunity to work with dignity. The era of selling government jobs is over — merit alone decides selection now,” Mann has said on several occasions.
He has also maintained that employment generation plays a crucial role in addressing social issues such as drug abuse and crime.
Impact on the state
The government’s employment drive has contributed to:
Greater economic security for families
Reduction in unemployment and outward migration
Improved staffing in schools, hospitals and public offices
Growing trust in government institutions
For many young people in Punjab, government jobs have come to symbolise hope and possibility rather than privilege. With more recruitment planned in the coming months, the focus remains on retaining local talent and strengthening the state’s future.