Madhya Pradesh's recruitment board struggles with 60% vacant posts amid rising exam demands
The Madhya Pradesh Employees Selection Board (MPESB) is facing a severe staffing crisis, with nearly two-thirds of its positions lying empty. Last year, the board managed 16 examinations, but this year it must organise 22—despite having fewer permanent employees than ever before.
Out of 187 approved posts, only 73 are currently filled, leaving 114 vacant. Key roles, including deputy director, accounts officer, and assistant director, remain unfilled for months. Even top positions are affected: Additional Chief Secretary Sanjay Shukla now holds the chairman's role as an extra responsibility, while Additional Secretary Ajay Katesariya oversees the director's duties alongside his regular work.
The shortage has forced the board to rely heavily on outsourced staff for daily operations. But monitoring their work is difficult, as the existing officers are already stretched thin. This understaffing has contributed to irregularities in recruitment exams, further delaying new appointments. Last year, over 2.5 million candidates registered for the 16 exams conducted by MPESB. With 22 exams scheduled for this year, the pressure on the remaining employees—and the risk of further delays—has only grown.
The board's struggles come at a critical time, as demand for recruitment exams rises. Without filling the 114 vacant posts, delays and administrative errors are likely to continue. For now, the MPESB must manage an increasing workload with a shrinking permanent team.
