In Kerala’s Ernakulam district, numerous B.Tech graduates lined up to apply for the position of ‘government office peon,’ offering an average monthly salary of ₹23,000. According to a report in The Times of India, these aspirants noted several benefits of government employment, such as low risk and no graveyard shifts. The job required only a Class-7 qualification and a ‘bicycle ride’ test.
Kochi resident K. Prasanth, who holds a banking diploma and manages a cafe, expressed hope that appointments by organizations like KSEB (the state power utility) would yield salaries exceeding ₹30,000. “I’ve been striving for a secure job with a decent income for the past few years,” he shared with TOI.
Surprisingly, the state Public Service Commission (PSC) still mandates cycling tests for peon positions in public sector organizations like KSEB and KSFE (Kerala State Financial Enterprises), despite this requirement being considered unnecessary. Officials have requested leniency, explaining that this regulation remains unchanged despite advancements in transportation modes.
Previously, cycling tests were compulsory for various job profiles classified as ‘last grade servants,’ but this rule was abolished by the government approximately ten years ago. Currently, the test is obligatory only for office assistant positions. Notably, female and physically disabled candidates are exempted from this requirement.
Vivek, another B.Tech graduate from Kochi who participated in the test, emphasized that securing a government job with an attractive salary is challenging amid the challenging job market conditions. The Union Ministry of Labor and Employment disclosed that Kerala had the highest number of job seekers, with over five lakh individuals seeking employment opportunities last year. Of this total, 3.2 lakh were women among the 5.1 lakh job seekers.
