New Delhi:  Getting a central government job via competitive examinations or entrances is most difficult task. The limited vacant posts and a large number candidates in the job market make the life of central government job aspirants very tough. During 2015-16, a total of 29,20,392 applications were received and processed by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) in its 13 examinations for selection to Civil Services/Posts and Defence Services/Posts.  Out of these, only a total of 5659 candidates (including 309 candidates through Reserve List) were recommended for Civil Services/ Posts and  Defence Services/Posts as per the Annual Report 2015-16 of the UPSC.

Hence, in UPSC conducted examinations for nine Civil Services/ Posts (Non-Defence Services/Posts), nearly 670 candidates applied for every post.  The Commission conducted a total of 13 examinations under the method of Recruitment by Examinations. Of these, 09 examinations for selection to Civil Services/Posts and 04 for Defence Services were conducted.

Here, SkillOutlook presents seven key points on the historical trend on the success rates, number of applicants  and number of recommended posts.

Civil Services Examination – Applicants to Post Ratio is too high: Civil Services Examination (CSE), India’s most prestigious competitive exam conducted by the UPSC, saw 11.30 lakh applying in 2016. Out of these, only 1,099 candidates were finally recommend. Applicants to Post Ratio (APR) stands at 1,033. Similarly, in CSE 2014, As per APR calculations, 694.59 candidates applied for every post filled through Civil Services Examination, 2014. A total of 9,47,428 candidates applied for the above examination of 2014 of whom 4,46,623 candidates appeared in the examination. The Commission recommended a total number of 1,363 candidates for appointment, which included SC-196, ST-98, OBC-369 and 54 Persons with Disabilities in CSE 2014. A total number of 313 women candidates (excluding female candidates recommended through Reserve List) were recommended for appointment in 2015-16 as compared to 261 who were recommended in 2014-15, thereby registering an increase of 19.92%.

Applicants to Post Ratio (APR) trend in 2015-16 as per UPSC Annual Report 2015-16

Engineering Services Examination 2015- More than 2.5 lakh candidates applied for 481 posts: As per the Annual Report 2015-16, a total number of 2,50,041 candidates applied for the examination. As against a total of 92,817 candidates, who had appeared in the written examination, a total number of 1,134 candidates qualified for the Personality Test. A total number of 434 candidates were recommended, which includes General-204, OBC-121, SC-73 and ST- 36. This figure also includes 21 Persons with Disabilities. As per APR calculations, 519.84 candidates applied for every post filled through Engineering Services Examination 2015.

Special Class Railways Apprentices’ Examination sees highest Applicants to Post Ratio:  In Special Class Railways Apprentices’ Examination, 2015, a number of candidates applied for each post was 5884, which was the highest amongst all examinations.  More than 3.1 lakh candidates applied for SCRA Examinations 2015 for only 54 posts.

Indian Economic Service/ Indian Statistical Service Examination, 2015:  More than 17.8 thousand candidates applied for the examination, where  recommended posts were 64. Here, APR stands at 255.26.

Geologists’ Examination, 2015:  More than 22.4 thousand candidates applied for 230 posts. The Applicants to Post Ratio is 83.58.

Combined Medical Services Examination, 2015: More than 31.7 thousand candidates applied for the exam. The total recommended post was 1201. The APR stands at 22.67.

Central Armed Police Forces (Assistant Commandants) Examination, 2015: This exam is another popular test conducted by the UPSC. A total number of 2.38 lakh candidates applied for the exam. The total recommend post was 224. . As per APR calculations, 922.67 candidates applied for every post filled through the Central Armed Police Forces (Assistant Commandants) Examination, 2015.