Economist Shamika Ravi Explains India's Enduring Love for Sarkari Jobs

In a recent Business Today interview, economist Shamika Ravi dissected the deep‑rooted fascination Indians have with "sarkari" or government jobs. She traced the phenomenon back to India's feudal past, where land‑owning patrons provided employment and status to their dependents, creating a lasting hierarchy of patronage.
Ravi highlighted that the promise of job security, regular salaries and social prestige continues to outweigh the perceived risks of the private sector, especially among middle‑class families seeking stable futures for their children.
She also noted that limited growth in quality private‑sector opportunities and the allure of pension benefits reinforce the preference for public‑sector positions, making the obsession a complex mix of tradition and contemporary economic anxiety.
The economist warned that while government jobs offer benefits, over‑reliance on them may stifle entrepreneurship and broader economic diversification, urging policymakers to expand skill‑development programs and create attractive private‑sector pathways.
Her analysis underscores that the "sarkari job" craze is not merely a career choice but a cultural legacy intertwined with India's historical social structures.