Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Tuesday asked the Narendra Modi government to fill up vacancies in defence services at the earliest, arguing that the delay in recruitment was causing frustration among youths.

In a letter to defence minister Rajnath Singh, Priyanka pointed to repeated delays in conducting exams as well as recruitment, which was shattering the dreams of millions of youths who spend their time and energy on preparation. This had become a major issue in the Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections, causing deep unrest among the youths though it failed to affect the BJP’s electoral prospects.

The Congress, which performed miserably in the election, had promised during the campaign a recruitment commission to streamline the processes of examinations and appointments.

Priyanka wrote in the letter: “For recruitment in the Air Force in January 2020, exams were conducted in November 2020. Results came in November 2020 only. Despite completion of all tests and publication of the provisional selection list, enrolment list has not yet been announced. The candidates are complaining that the date for declaring the enrolment list is getting postponed regularly. Kindly release the list without any further delay.”

The letter also mentioned: “Another examination for recruitment of soldiers in the Air Force was conducted in July 2021 in which lakhs of students appeared. The result was supposed to be announced in August 2021. But the results haven’t been announced so far. Please declare results and start recruitment at the earliest. Millions of youths keep running day and night, do regular physical training but vacancies are not filled for years. This causes huge distress among the youths.”

Arguing that a large number of youths had already crossed the eligible age limit because of inordinate delays in conducting exams and recruitment drive, Priyanka said: “There should be a relaxation of at least two years in age limit for some time. In a reply given to the Lok Sabha in December 2021, the government admitted 1.25 lakh vacancies in the army. It is distressing that recruitment is not done despite so many vacancies in the armed forces.”

The defence minister had to face protests of angry youths at some public rallies in Uttar Pradesh where he promised to ensure recruitment is done. Recruitment in government departments have been erratic over the past few years and students have held several demonstrations.