How government recruitment works: a complete beginner's guide
From notification to joining: how sarkari job recruitment works, reservation and age relaxation, documents you need and how to avoid fraud.
Every year central and state governments, banks, railways and PSUs recruit lakhs of people. The process looks complicated at first, but it follows the same steps almost everywhere.
The recruitment cycle
- Notification – the recruiting body publishes an official notification (PDF) with posts, vacancies, eligibility, fee, dates and exam pattern.
- Online application – register on the official website, fill the form, upload photo and signature, and pay the fee before the last date.
- Correction window – some bodies allow corrections for a few days.
- Admit card – released 1–2 weeks before the exam.
- Exam – one or more stages (prelims, mains, skill test, physical test, interview).
- Answer key – provisional key with a window to raise objections, then a final key.
- Result and cut-off.
- Document verification and medical.
- Final selection and joining.
Follow every stage on [JobsTayari](/) – we post each notification, admit card, answer key and result.
Reservation (central government)
| Category | Reservation |
|---|---|
| OBC (non-creamy layer) | 27% |
| SC | 15% |
| ST | 7.5% |
| EWS | 10% |
| PwBD | 4% (horizontal) |
States have their own reservation rules, which apply only to domicile candidates of that state.
Age relaxation (central government, usual)
OBC 3 years, SC/ST 5 years, PwBD 10 years (plus category relaxation), ex-servicemen as per rules. Some posts (like SSC GD and NDA) have different rules. Use our age calculator.
Documents to keep ready
- 10th certificate (proof of date of birth) and all marksheets
- Graduation and other degree certificates
- Caste certificate in the central government format (for central jobs) – OBC certificate must be recent and non-creamy layer
- EWS certificate for the current year
- Domicile certificate for state jobs
- Aadhaar, recent passport photos and a scanned signature
- PwBD and ex-servicemen certificates if applicable
Avoid fraud
- No genuine government recruitment asks for money for selection. Pay only the official application fee on the official website.
- Check that the website ends in .gov.in or .nic.in or is the organisation's known official site.
- Ignore calls or messages promising "setting" or a job for payment, and report them to the police cyber cell.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between Group A, B and C posts?
Group A are senior officer posts (like IAS or bank PO equivalents in government), Group B are middle-level posts (like inspectors and section officers), and Group C are support and clerical posts.
What does 'final year students can apply' mean?
You can apply before your degree result, but must show proof of passing by the date given in the notification.
Course fees, seats, exam patterns and salaries change over time and differ between institutions and states. Use this guide to plan, and confirm details on official websites before you decide.