Multiple ads, multiple fees, same day exams leave subordinate services aspirants in a bind

A wave of frustration is rising across Punjab as unemployed youth find themselves stuck in what they describe as an unfair system.

The Punjab Subordinate Services Selection Board (PSSSB) had issued multiple advertisements inviting applicants for various posts. These were issued on different dates — and carried different fees.

Many aspirants applied for multiple posts — paying the multiple fees — only to find that the exams fell on the same day.

This has caused unnecessary confusion, financial burden, and emotional distress among candidates. They will be able to appear for only one exam despite having applied for two, three or even four of them.

Labor Party president Jai Gopal Dhiman has strongly criticised the government over the issue, calling it “exploitation” and “economic harassment of the unemployed”.

For instance, exams for 135 posts of Junior Inspector (Group B; advertisement 1-2025); and for 62 posts of Junior Auditor (Group B; advertisement 5-2025) fall on the same day, November 30, even though the fees for these were collected separately through different advertisements.

In another case, examinations for posts of Personal Assistant (advertisement 5-2023); Senior Assistant-cum-Inspector (advertisement 4-2024); District Treasury Officer (advertisement 5-2025); Senior Assistant (advertisement 5-2025); and Naib Tehsildar (advertisement 1-2025) all fall on December 14, despite the separate

advertisements and fees.

Dhiman alleged that unemployed candidates were being used as a “source of income” by the authority concerned. Noting that the fees were strictly non-refundable, he questioned the logic behind charging separate fees for posts advertised with separate advertisements, when exams for many of these fell on the same day, and even shared question papers.

Calling the issue “serious economic exploitation”, Dhiman demanded that all fees for government job applications be abolished.

He said the Labour Party would launch a movement to support the unemployed, and make them aware of their rights.

Dhiman added that a public interest litigation (PIL) would soon be filed in the Punjab and Haryana High Court to challenge what he described as “unconstitutional policies”.

He urged people, especially political leaders, to raise their voice over the issue, saying such “exploitation” could not be ignored in a democratic and constitutional nation.