Despite India's booming economy, many young Indians continue to pursue government jobs due to the perceived security and benefits they offer. Sunil Kumar, a 30-year-old, has spent the last nine years trying to secure a government job but has been unsuccessful in 13 attempts. The trend of chasing government jobs highlights the cultural and economic anxieties facing many Indians, who see government employment as more secure than private-sector jobs. The demand for government job cram school classes has attracted large players and moved online, indicating a lucrative and perennial business. Discontent over employment opportunities was cited as a key reason for Prime Minister Narendra Modi's party failing to win a majority in the recent general election. The government has generated 20 million new employment opportunities each year since 2017/18, but much of it is self-employment and temporary farm hiring rather than formal positions with regular wages. The lack of well-paying jobs with security and benefits is a major concern. The Indian National Congress estimates that nearly six million jobs across all levels of government remain unfilled. The clamor for government jobs is driven by attitudes toward work and the perception of job security in the government sector. Meanwhile, speculation about Modi's political future is intensifying as Nitin Gadkari, India's Road and Transport Minister, recently rejected offers from opposition parties to lead the country, stating he prefers to support PM Modi. This comes as four crucial state elections approach, with Haryana's final voting phase on October 7, 2024. Modi will turn 75 in September 2025, raising questions about his future leadership. Analysts suggest Gadkari's statement positions him as a potential candidate for the future, especially if the BJP faces internal changes due to dissatisfaction with governance among RSS leaders. However, no clear successor to Modi is expected due to his enduring popularity. [e95376a5][35a4b0f5]