The Crisis of Unemployment in Chhattisgarh
Chhattisgarh is facing a deepening crisis of unemployment, with over 1.6 million registered job seekers struggling to find meaningful employment. Despite this alarming figure, the government has no clear data on how many of these individuals have been offered government jobs in the past 18 months. This lack of transparency only adds to the frustration and despair among the youth.
In the quiet corners of libraries, in the worn-out notebooks of hopeful students, and in the eyes of daughters delaying marriage for one more chance at a government exam, unemployment in Chhattisgarh is no longer just a statistic—it’s a way of life. For many, it’s a daily battle against uncertainty and hopelessness.
Take Satish Nishad from Durg. His mother passed away, and his father is retired. Since 2015, he has been preparing for a career as a school teacher. Every day, he walks into a local library, which has become his only classroom. He recalls the promises made by the BJP in their 2023 manifesto, which included 57,000 teacher posts. However, that number has now been reduced to 22,464. “Not a single teacher has been recruited in two years,” he says, his voice calm but his eyes showing the exhaustion of years of waiting.
Manju Thakre from Janjgir faces a different struggle. At home, she is urged to get married, but she wants to stand on her own feet first. “How long can I keep defying time, family pressure, and a system that gives me false hope?” she asks. Her story is not unique; it reflects the experiences of over 16.24 lakh unemployed youth in the state, according to official data.
The majority of these unemployed youth are highly educated, coming from poor and middle-income backgrounds. From January 2024 to June 2025, not a single person received a government job. While private sector placements through agencies did occur—6,279 in 2024 and 883 by mid-2025—the quality and sustainability of these jobs remain questionable. What are these positions, and do they offer enough income to survive rising inflation? The government provides no details, leaving the youth in limbo.
Sulochani Kumbhkar, another aspirant for a teaching job, highlights the challenges faced by Hindi-medium students. “Even private schools ignore us. If not a government job, where do we go?” she wonders. Her question underscores the desperation of those who see government jobs as the only viable path to stability.
In a display of irony, the state celebrated ‘Sushasan Tihar’ earlier this year, a festival promoting good governance. During this event, 4,373 unemployed youth formally appealed for jobs. This contradiction highlights the gap between rhetoric and reality.
Durg tops the list of districts with the highest number of unemployed youth, followed by Bilaspur and Janjgir-Champa. These numbers represent populations larger than many small towns, all desperate for dignity and direction.
Congress MLA Sheshraj Harwansh has criticized the state government for its inaction. “They claim to care for women, youth, and farmers, but when asked about jobs in the Assembly, they say they have no data. No action. Just slogans,” he said. When he raised the issue in the Assembly, Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Sharma responded. However, when questioned by NDTV, the leader offered no concrete answers, instead saying, “Let me find out, ask me later.”
In a state with over 16 lakh unemployed youth, the Deputy Chief Minister lacks even basic information, offering only delays and excuses.
Desperation is driving many youth to leave the state, often into dangerous situations. In December 2024, over 40 tribal youth from Dantewada returned from Hyderabad factories with severe illnesses, some even losing their lives. They had left in search of work, but came back with broken bodies and heavier burdens.
This crisis demands urgent attention and actionable solutions. Without intervention, the cycle of unemployment and despair will continue to haunt the youth of Chhattisgarh.
