The times of uncertainty were higher than ever during the pandemic's peak and continue to be. When major catastrophic events like COVID-19 significantly impact the economy, the consequences take years to play out. No one can predict the long-term repercussions of such occurrences with any certainty. The late-twentieth-century Great Depression, for example, resulted in a surge in fascism throughout the Western world.

Despite challenging times such as the Great Depression of the 1930s, the post-World War II recession, the oil shocks of the 1970s, and the 2007-09 financial crisis, real GDP per capita increased dramatically in the twentieth and twenty-first centuries.

If history has taught us anything, it is that the economy will recover and bounce back again. Unemployment will decline, incomes will grow, the stock market will reach new all-time highs, and our factories will produce more items than they have in the past.

In April 2020, the unemployment rate reached 23.52 %. Thankfully, by January 2021, it dropped to 6.53 %. As a result, there is no reason to assume that anybody can correctly foresee the global status quo challenges that would emerge. But one thing is sure: In the short term, this crisis will result in enormous job losses and layoffs, with young people bearing the brunt of the consequences.

Effects of COVID-19 on the future of government jobs

Thousands of job seekers and applicants have been left unemployed and cannot give exams due to the Covid-19 outbreak and lockdown. The Civil Services Preliminary Exam had been postponed by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC). In addition, large-scale recruitment for bank jobs, examinations conducted by the Staff Selection Commission (SSC) for various Central government posts, and tests of different State public service positions had all been rescheduled. Hence, Government Exams have been postponed quite frequently due to Covid-19. Exam results have also been delayed.

Fresh graduates, in particular, who aspired to enter the government workforce, had to face the most impact. Youth unemployment was already a significant concern for governments worldwide before the crisis, and the epidemic has just added to the problem. This issue was bound to significantly influence a country like India, where around 30% of the population, or 39 crore people, is between the ages of 15 and 29.

Increase in demand for government jobs in India

According to a survey, most individuals choose government positions because of job stability and better pay and lower work stress, perks, promotions, respect, and working hours, given the uncertainty produced by COVID-19 disruptions. The research is based on a poll of 6,500 people on a platform studying for difficult government exams or interested in applying for government jobs.

"This has led to an increase in the demand for government jobs, with 82.33 % of respondents looking to apply for government jobs," the study survey said. According to the study, the increase in applications is primarily due to increased job stability, followed by pay and other benefits.

Furthermore, it is a well-known fact that recessions and the resulting shortage of jobs encourage more individuals to pursue education, whether undergraduate or postgraduate. This development is crucial because it is passed down to generations - if your parents went to university, you are more likely to go to university as well.

An economy with a better-educated workforce is more productive, prosperous, and adaptable. But it isn't the end of the discussion. Higher education has positive consequences for a society's health, crime rate, election voting, and volunteerism.

Hence, even though it might lead to a bright future ahead for the people of India, the number of people applying for government jobs will be greater than the job vacancies available. The competition will be fierce as the demand increases.

Getting a government job becomes difficult due to an increase in demand - An increase in unemployment

With individuals being laid off and losing their jobs in the private sector, it's no surprise that demand for government positions has grown owing to job security and the corona virus. As a result of the increased demand, there will be more competition than today, resulting in neck-to-neck fights. Getting a government job will become increasingly difficult.

Usually, In the first four months of the current fiscal year, the average monthly recruitment rate for central government operations is around 50% compared to last year and 60% for state government positions. Now, government job positions are in short supply and have reached a three-year low at both the federal and state levels.

According to the 2020 budget, it was said that there would be 3.5 million union government employees in 2020-21, a 0.7 % increase over the previous year. However, the government's job prospects are still grim. According to the budget estimates, even the prognosis for government work, the desired employment for India's youth, appears to be bleak.

For example, more than a third of India's infrastructure projects have been delayed for more than a year. So, if the government does not get its infrastructure projects off the ground right at once, we risk losing any possible edge in job creation. For the sector to have the desired immediate impact, the government should examine the roadblocks that prohibit infrastructure projects from being completed on schedule and focus on eliminating them.

As a result, the government should not stay indifferent about the issues that Indian youth confronts. Millions of families might be wiped out financially if the government does nothing. A three-level policy solution should be created and implemented to fulfil this necessity that addresses short, medium and long-term needs.

Future of government jobs in India

For the time being, the future of government employment is being shaped in three ways:

Work

The ways of government jobs will be altered due to advancements such as enhanced technology and artificial intelligence. Employees will be able to add more value to constituents and improve their professional happiness due to these developing technologies.

Workforce

There are two sides to this. On one, the government will progressively and increasingly employ more diversified work arrangements, allowing them to access more different pools of talents and capabilities both inside and outside the organization, thanks to technological advancements. Technological advancements will also reduce the need for labor leading to more unemployment.

Workplace

The workplace and its organizational supports will be redefined by technology and new methods for hiring individuals. Physical workplaces (including remote work) and policies that encourage employee well-being and productivity will be affected by these developments.