Kerala’s 40-year threshold brings new lease of life for job aspirants

In the 1970s and 1980s, many young people dreamed of leaving for the Gulf countries instead of seeking government jobs, as government salaries were quite low, even for high-ranking officials. In contrast, even low-skilled jobs in the Gulf offered attractive salaries. During that time, it wasn't uncommon for a laborer working in the Gulf to build a larger home than a local government official. No one imagined that government jobs would eventually become as appealing as they are today.

However, the economic landscape changed dramatically after the 1990s with the onset of globalization. Salaries for professionals, government officials and college teachers, became unexpectedly higher, even shocking Gulf expatriates.

Nowadays, many candidates believe that securing a government job in their home country offers a sense of stability and security. However, obtaining such positions has become increasingly challenging. While individuals can apply for the Public Service Commission (PSC) examination at the age of eighteen, most young people focus on completing their education instead. The previous trend was to start job hunting around the age of twenty-five, but this has shifted; an increasing number of candidates are now seeking PSC coaching while still studying.

Even when applications open for the PSC examination, it can take years before the exam is conducted and the results are published. The validity of the results lasts for three years, and very few people succeed in clearing the PSC exams on their first attempt, leading many to retake the exam multiple times.

For years, candidates have made a reasonable request to raise the age limit for the general category from 36 years. It is a positive development that the decision to increase this limit to 40 years was made during the last months of the second Pinarayi government.

Additionally, the age limit for the OBC category has been raised from 39 to 43 years, and for Scheduled Castes, it has increased from 41 to 45 years. Widows, who currently enjoy a five-year age relaxation, will also benefit from this new provision, gaining an additional four years.

Currently, around 7.5 million people have completed the one-time registration for jobs with the PSC. Among these, about 1.6 million individuals are aged between 36 and 40 and are unable to apply for PSC notifications. The government's decision will benefit these individuals.

While many believe that the pension age should also be increased, the government has yet to take this step, likely due to the upcoming elections and the potential public backlash. However, with life expectancy increasing significantly, it will be imperative for the next government to consider making changes in this area.