The Gujarat government has charted a direct recruitment drive covering approximately 2.10 lakh posts across Class I, II, and III categories between 2024 and 2033, Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi announced on Friday, 6 November 2026. The declaration came as 113 newly recruited Deputy Section Officers (DYSOs) were handed appointment letters at a ceremony in Gandhinagar on the occasion of Dhanteras.

Who Received Appointments

Of the 113 DYSOs appointed, 87 were selected through regular direct recruitment while 26 were persons with disabilities, known as Divyangs, recruited through a dedicated special drive. Separately, 64 Section Officers of the Secretariat cadre were promoted on the same occasion, adding to the day's administrative additions.

A Decade of Structured Recruitment

Addressing the newly appointed officers and their families at the Gandhinagar programme, Sanghavi said the state government had established a structured recruitment system over the past decade. Between 2014 and 2023, the government filled 1,79,424 posts, achieving 92.95 per cent of its recruitment target. He added that an advance recruitment calendar allowed candidates to prepare for state government examinations in a planned manner.

Sanghavi emphasised that selections were based entirely on merit, talent, and hard work, with no room for recommendations or external influence. He specifically highlighted candidates from remote areas — including Dahod and villages along the India-Pakistan border in Banaskantha — who secured posts as Deputy Section Officers in the State Secretariat. 'The appointments reflected the opportunities created through a transparent recruitment process,' he said.

What Senior Officials Said

Chief Secretary M.K. Das, who was also present at the ceremony, underscored that merit and transparency were non-negotiable pillars of government functioning. He called on the newly appointed officers to discharge their responsibilities with efficiency and commitment, noting that the reach of government schemes and policies was expanding both nationally and internationally. Das particularly stressed the timely disposal of files and applications, and urged officers to prioritise resolving citizens' grievances effectively.

Significance for Gujarat's Administrative Machinery

The 2.10 lakh-post target for 2024–2033 represents a continuation of the state's decadal recruitment planning model, which the government credits with reducing backlog and improving administrative efficiency. The inclusion of a Divyang special recruitment drive also signals an intent to widen the talent pool beyond conventional channels. Notably, the appointment ceremony was held on Dhanteras, a festival traditionally associated with new beginnings — a symbolism the government appeared deliberate in choosing.

With sectoral shortfalls still evident in several departments, the pace at which the state government converts the 2.10 lakh target into actual appointments over the next seven years will be closely watched.