Former Tamil Nadu BJP president K Annamalai on Wednesday launched a fresh round of attacks on the Joseph Vijay-led government over its reported decision to outsource lower-level government jobs, accusing it of undermining the recruitment system and questioning whether young aspirants were gradually losing faith in the Tamil Nadu Public Service Commission (TNPSC).
The controversy comes amid reports that the Tamil Nadu government has decided to fill lower-level vacancies, including Group IV posts, through the Overseas Manpower Corporation Limited (OMCL), instead of the TNPSC. The reported move has also raised questions over the government’s commitment to its pre-election promise on government recruitment.
In a detailed social media post, Annamalai, who quit BJP and launched his own outfit, We The Leaders, pointed to the declining number of applicants for the TNPSC Group IV examination, arguing that the trend reflected growing concerns among young people about the recruitment process.
According to the figures cited by him, the number of applicants fell from 22.06 lakh in 2022 to 20.37 lakh in 2024 and 13.89 lakh in 2025. The figure has dropped further to 9.80 lakh so far this year, marking a decline of nearly 56 per cent over four years.
“Government jobs are the dream of lakhs of young people in Tamil Nadu. However, questions are being raised over whether young aspirants are gradually losing faith in the Tamil Nadu Public Service Commission (TNPSC), which is expected to serve as a symbol of hope for turning that dream into reality,” Annamalai said.
The BJP leader said candidates spend several years preparing for government examinations, investing considerable time, effort and money, but often face uncertainty over the recruitment process.
He highlighted several concerns, including delays in declaring examination results, delays in appointments even after examinations are conducted, questions over transparency in the selection process and allegations of irregularities.
Annamalai also referred to past allegations that government jobs were provided in exchange for money, claiming that the involvement of ministers in such controversies had further undermined confidence in the recruitment system.
He said the declining number of applicants should prompt the Tamil Nadu government to examine the reasons behind the trend rather than dismiss it.
“If young people begin losing faith in the very commission entrusted with fulfilling their dreams of securing government jobs, it is a deeply worrying sign,” he said.
Annamalai urged the Vijay government to take immediate steps to rebuild the confidence of young job aspirants in the TNPSC and the broader government recruitment system.
He said filling vacancies on time and ensuring transparency in the selection process were essential to addressing the concerns of candidates.
“The Tamil Nadu government must examine why the number of applicants has been declining so sharply every year. It must take immediate and constructive steps to restore young people’s confidence in the examination system and the government recruitment process,” he said.
The IPS-turned-politician maintained that timely recruitment and a transparent selection process were crucial to restoring the trust of Tamil Nadu’s youth in the Public Service Commission.
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