New VB-G RAM G Program Lagged Behind MNREGA in First Month; Rural Employment Fell by 50% in July

For the youth of Madhya Pradesh state preparing for civil service, the coming months will bring numerous opportunities. The Madhya Pradesh Staff Selection Board (MP ESB) has published the recruitment calendar for 2026, which will allow students to structure their studies and manage their time.

According to this calendar, 12 different examinations will be held from September to December, within which recruitment is planned for over 19 thousand positions. Vacancies will be available in departments such as police, agriculture, engineering, and others.

Additionally, an examination for teacher qualification (TET) is scheduled for September-October.

According to the MP ESB calendar, an exam for recruitment to the position of Agricultural Extension Specialist under Group-2, Subgroup-1, will take place in September, recruiting 2,784 people. In the same month, a joint competitive examination will be held for the positions of Rural Officer, Rural Coordinator, Assistant Supervisor, and similar roles under Group-2, Subgroup-4, with 2,299 seats allocated.

Furthermore, several important tests are planned for October to November 2026. Among them is the exam for recruitment to the positions of Subedar and Scribe Assistant, recruiting 566 people. During this period, there will also be an examination for the recruitment of police constables, through which candidates for 7,500 positions will be selected.

Following this, in November, an exam for the recruitment of police constable drivers will be organized, with 1,000 vacancies provided.

A feature of these recruitments is the opportunity for interested candidates to apply for positions according to their qualifications. From November to December 2026, a departmental recruitment exam for the post of Deputy District Magistrate (Naib Tehsildar) will take place, recruiting 73 people. During the same period, an exam for the recruitment of Rural Affairs Secretary and Village Employment Assistant is also scheduled, with 2,900 seats allocated.

After this, students will have a few more chances in December, when an exam for recruitment under Group-6, Subgroup-1 will be conducted.

According to the revised MP ESB calendar, the total number of vacancies in Madhya Pradesh will be 19,062, with the highest number being 7,500 positions for police constables. However, in addition to this, the TET exam for approximately 150 thousand teachers will take place in September-October 2026. Responsibility for this exam was transferred to MP ESB following a Supreme Court order, and the online application process is expected to start soon.

In connection with Women's Month in South Africa, the Information and Communication Technology Union (ICTU) expressed serious concern over alleged double standards in organized labor, strongly criticizing the South African Clothing and Textile Workers Union (SACTWU) for its involvement in legal and other actions concerning the Sekunjalo group and the independent media sector.

As an affiliate of SAFTU, ICTU accused SACTWU of 'selective activism' and questioned what it termed 'selective solidarity,' especially when actions against a media organization could jeopardize the jobs and livelihoods of journalists and other media staff.

ICTU stated that it is increasingly facing the complex reality of protecting workers not only from employers but also from the actions of fellow trade unions, which, in ICTU's view, may risk jobs to achieve other objectives.

Furthermore, the union reported that SACTWU allegedly ignored previous requests from ICTU to hold union discussions regarding the litigation. ICTU insisted that disputes affecting workers, companies, and organized labor should be resolved through substantive engagement before taking measures that could have serious employment consequences. The union called again for 'genuine dialogue between unions' on this matter, emphasizing that solidarity must be demonstrated through actions that protect all workers.

ICTU stressed that the protection of women's rights is inextricably linked to their economic security, pointing out that female journalists, editors, and other media professionals depend on the sustainability of the media industry. ICTU leadership stated: 'We cannot talk about women's empowerment while remaining silent when the sustainability of workplaces where women work is threatened. Journalists are workers with constitutional rights, and their livelihoods deserve protection. Protecting women must include protecting stable and sustainable employment.'

Regarding the events surrounding the Sekunjalo Group, ICTU argued that they should be viewed within the broader context of employment and transformation in the South African media landscape. The union noted the Group's stated commitment to maintaining and increasing employment, including opportunities for women in senior editorial and management positions, specifically mentioning the appointment of experienced media leader and editor Melanie Peters to a leadership role. ICTU welcomed initiatives such as the launch of The National and the development within the National Media Group (NMG) as efforts to expand the media landscape. The union believes that in an industry already facing editorial restructuring, cost-cutting, and layoffs, priority should be given to efforts to maintain and expand operations, rather than corporate disputes. The CEO of the Sekunjalo Group, Lucien Jacobs, had previously emphasized the organization's stated commitment to sustainable journalism, media diversity, and protecting local employment.

In conclusion, ICTU stated that trade unions bear a fundamental responsibility for protecting existing employment, especially given the high level of unemployment in South Africa. The union urged SACTWU and other trade union bodies to engage constructively instead of allowing disagreements to escalate into disputes that could harm workers. ICTU decreed: 'History will judge the trade union movement not only by what it said, but by what it did when workers needed protection.' The union pledged to continue advocating for workers and challenging any actions that threaten their livelihoods.

As part of Women's Month, the Institute of Municipal Engineering of South Africa (IMESA) highlights the successes of women engineers who have led infrastructure development projects across the country, while also encouraging more young women to enter the profession.

Three engineers—Mpho Plaatjie, Roxanne Kenny, and Princess Kabala Muke—shared their stories in honor of Women's Month. They focused not on obstacles but on opportunities, motivating the next generation of young women to view engineering as a field where they can implement innovations, demonstrate leadership, and participate in shaping the future of South Africa.

Founded in 1961, IMESA states that it has never implemented formal gender policies, focusing instead on creating a professional environment for municipal engineers based on technical excellence, ethics, and public service. Today, over 30% of the organization's members are women, many of whom hold leadership positions.

Leaders in Municipal Engineering

Among these leaders are Roxanne Kenny, Chairperson of the KwaZulu-Natal branch; Princess Kabala Muke, Chairperson of the Western Cape branch; and Mpho Plaatjie, Chairperson of the Free State and Northern Cape branches. Instead of emphasizing difficulties, these three engineers use Women's Month to showcase the opportunities available in municipal engineering and encourage students, graduates, and young professionals to consider a career that contributes to providing vital public infrastructure.

Mpho Plaatjie, a civil engineer and project manager at the Mangaung municipality, shared that her interest in engineering arose in childhood after living in a community without running water. She was inspired by watching technicians install a tap in her family's home, which prompted her to choose a career aimed at improving access to clean water for other communities.

Roxanne Kenny, a registered civil engineer specializing in water supply design and an acting area manager at the eThekwini municipality, reported that her mother, who was a draftsman, inspired her before she discovered her passion for hydraulic engineering. After starting her career in consulting, she noted that working for the local government allowed her to oversee projects from the design stage through to implementation, strengthening her commitment to municipal engineering.

Princess Kabala Muke, an acting manager in the waste management department of the City of Cape Town, shared that life in Goma, in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, showed her how infrastructure directly impacts people's quality of life. She emphasized that engineering is not just a technical discipline but also a powerful tool for economic development, nation-building, and social transformation.

These three engineers believe that the profession has become increasingly inclusive as more women lead technical teams, manage infrastructure programs, and occupy executive roles. However, Plaatjie stated that municipalities must continue to strengthen internship programs for graduates and expand scholarship opportunities to attract more young engineers.

Kenny noted that diversity has enriched the engineering profession by bringing different perspectives, while Kabala Muke stressed the importance of creating workplaces where women can be empowered to lead, innovate, and influence strategic decisions. The engineers also highlighted the value of professional organizations like IMESA, noting that mentorship, networking, and leadership development are essential to support women throughout their careers.

Kenny, who co-founded the IMESA Young Professionals Portfolio (YP²), said that this initiative created additional opportunities for students and early-career engineers. This program was later expanded to the Western Cape under Kabala Muke's leadership. Their message to young women considering engineering is simple: they belong in this profession and can play a significant role in shaping the future of South Africa by providing vital infrastructure and public services.