Former Tamil Nadu BJP leader K Annamalai 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.
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 instead of the TNPSC. The reported move has also raised questions over the administration's commitment to its pre-election promises regarding government recruitment.
In a detailed social media post, Annamalai 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 selection process. According to 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, before dropping further to 9.80 lakh, marking a decline of nearly 56 per cent over four years.
Government jobs remain the dream of lakhs of young people in the state, but questions are being raised over whether aspirants are losing faith in the commission meant to fulfill those aspirations, Annamalai stated. He noted that candidates spend years preparing for examinations while investing significant time, effort, and money, only to face uncertainty in the recruitment process.
He highlighted several concerns, including delays in declaring examination results, delays in appointments even after tests are conducted, transparency questions in the selection process, and past allegations of irregularities. Annamalai also referred to previous controversies involving ministers and allegations that jobs were provided in exchange for money, which he argued further eroded public confidence.
The declining applicant numbers should prompt the state government to examine underlying causes rather than dismiss the trend, he asserted. Annamalai urged the administration to take immediate steps to rebuild trust among young job aspirants by ensuring timely vacancy fulfillment and transparency within the selection process.