For the last five years, I have lived with hope. Hope that the countless hours I spent studying, preparing, and qualifying for a government teaching job in India would one day pay off. I earned my BSc and MSc, passed CTET and UPTET, and fulfilled every eligibility requirement. I stayed committed, disciplined, and optimistic—even when year after year passed with no government vacancies announced.

But when the long-awaited openings were finally declared, I was met with a cruel irony—I had crossed the age limit by just two months.

Two months. After five years of silence.

This is not just my story; it is the story of thousands of aspirants across the country. Young, capable individuals who put their lives on hold, who didn’t pursue other paths because they believed in the promise of public service, only to be told—too late.

The Human Cost of Policy Delays

Delays in recruitment are not mere administrative lapses. They have a human cost. They affect mental health, family planning, financial stability, and career direction. They chip away at a person’s self-worth and sense of purpose.

Government exams in India are not easy. They demand dedication, sacrifice, and time. And when someone clears them, they deserve a fair shot at employment.

Instead, the system’s lack of timely recruitment, coupled with rigid age limits, creates an environment where deserving candidates are disqualified not due to incompetence, but due to bureaucratic delay.

Accountability Matters

This blog is not an attack on the government—it’s a call for accountability. A call to recognize that:

Recruitment calendars should be regular and transparent

Age relaxations should be considered where delays have occurred

Communication with aspirants should be clear and compassionate

Policies should be rooted in realities, not just rules

We need a system that sees us—not just as numbers, but as people.

A Message to Fellow Aspirants

If you’re someone in the same boat, I see you. I hear you. Don’t let this system define your worth. Keep your identity larger than an exam or a post. Use your voice. Speak out. Let’s not suffer in silence anymore.

I still believe in public service, and I still believe in the power of people to bring change. But it’s time we asked for a better system. One that doesn’t just promise fairness, but delivers it.

– Written with honesty and hope,
By a qualified but overlooked citizen.