On PM Modi’s birthday, Youth Congress gives government one-year ultimatum to fill ‘50 lakh job vacancies’

Indian Youth Congress leaders display a poster as they address a press conference to launch the 'Meri Degree Ka Kya?' (What About My Degree?) nationwide campaign against youth unemployment, in New Delhi on September 17, 2026. | Photo Credit: ANI The Indian Youth Congress (IYC) on Thursday (September 17, 2026) launched a nationwide campaign claiming there are over 50 lakh vacant sanctioned government posts and demanding that they be filled within a year, choosing Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 76th birthday to begin the drive.The Congress party’s youth wing also warned of a protest outside the Prime Minister’s residence if the vacancies remain unfilled after a year.The “Meri Degree Ka Kya” (What about my degree) campaign, launched in Delhi, will seek a time-bound recruitment calendar for every vacant post, with fixed deadlines for examinations and appointments. Marches across IndiaDelhi Youth Congress president Akshay Lakra said the organisation would hold “job marches” and “degree marches” across the country over the next year.Mr. Lakra claimed that 50,05,850 sanctioned government posts were vacant across the country, arguing that filling them would both provide employment to young people and strengthen public services, such as schools and hospitals.Taking a political swipe at the Prime Minister on his birthday, the Youth Congress said educated young people were being forced to struggle for employment despite spending years and family resources on their education.The IYC also invoked Mr. Modi’s earlier promise of creating 2 crore jobs annually.If the government failed to fill the vacancies within a year, Mr Lakra said, the organisation would hold a protest outside the Prime Minister’s residence on his next birthday.IYC national secretary Parminder Singh Pummy was also present at the press conference. Published - September 17, 2026 10:20 pm IST