Annual DSC Recruitment and Sports Jobs Highlight AP Assembly Session

Andhra Pradesh will conduct District Selection Committee (DSC) teacher recruitment every year, Human Resources Development Minister Nara Lokesh said on Monday, signalling a more regular recruitment cycle for aspiring teachers while outlining fresh measures to support sportspersons with government jobs and other assistance.

Speaking during the Monsoon Session of the Andhra Pradesh Assembly in Amaravati, Lokesh said the government had filled 3,000 teacher posts through the DSC this year under its Mega Job Calendar. He said around 10,060 vacancies had so far been filled through Group-1, Group-2 and DSC recruitments.

Lokesh said the annual DSC would be conducted as promised to unemployed youth. Clarifying concerns over delays, he said the recently conducted Teacher Eligibility Test (TET) had not brought the recruitment process to a halt. The government was taking steps to ensure that all selected teachers join duty by Ugadi, he said, adding that necessary training would be provided before the next academic year.

The minister also highlighted the government's policy of giving athletes greater career security. Referring to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of India winning Olympic gold medals, he said states must create stronger support systems for sporting talent.

The government was providing jobs and land to accomplished sportspersons, Lokesh said, citing Olympic medallist PV Sindhu as an example. He also mentioned North Andhra track-and-field athlete Jyothi Yarraji, saying the proposal to provide her a government job was approved by the Cabinet after Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu gave his immediate consent.

Lokesh said athletes selected under the sports quota should not be subjected to recruitment procedures meant for ordinary candidates. The objective was to recognise sporting excellence, he said. The number of recognised sports disciplines had also been increased from 29 to 65 in accordance with Central guidelines, while the government was ensuring transparency in sports quota appointments.

On the Mega DSC controversy, Lokesh accused YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) leaders of deliberately approaching courts to delay recruitment. He claimed that 141 cases were filed within 148 days of the notification being issued.

Lokesh said the government successfully defended the notification because it had followed all prescribed rules. The recruitment process was completed, appointment orders were issued and selected teachers were trained and deployed in schools.

He challenged former Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy to debate the alleged irregularities in the Assembly and said he was also ready to discuss reservations. Agriculture Minister Kinjarapu Atchannaidu separately criticised the YSRCP, saying it had no moral right to question DSC recruitment after failing to deliver the promised Mega DSC during its five-year tenure.