What was announced
Chief Minister Sarma, addressing reporters on the sidelines of an election rally in Morigaon town, claimed a fundamental change in the political mood of Assam. He said people are now openly asking why securing government jobs and medical college admissions necessitated payments during the Congress’s tenure. “No matter whatever they say, today people are asking this question: If during Himanta Biswa Sarma’s time we can get jobs without giving money, why couldn’t we get jobs when Congress was in power,” Sarma said. He further extended this query to medical seats, asking, “If during Himanta Biswa Sarma’s time we can get medical seats, why couldn’t we get them during Congress time?”Why it matters
The Chief Minister’s assertion of a corruption-free recruitment system holds significant weight for lakhs of job aspirants across Assam. The state has a substantial pool of unemployed youth, with over 15.43 lakh active job seekers registered as of June 2026, including 3.55 lakh fresh registrations in the first half of the year. The government’s pledge to ensure transparency directly impacts these individuals, offering hope for fair opportunities. The current government has consistently highlighted its efforts to streamline and depoliticise the recruitment process. Since 2021, the Assam government has provided over 1.64 lakh government jobs, surpassing its initial electoral promise of one lakh positions. Chief Minister Sarma has stated that these appointments were made without corruption or litigation, marking a notable departure from past practices. This focus on merit-based recruitment is crucial not only for providing employment but also for strengthening governance and service delivery across the state, according to officials.Background
Allegations of widespread corruption in government job recruitment, particularly within the Assam Public Service Commission (APSC), have long plagued the state’s political landscape. During the erstwhile Congress government led by Tarun Gogoi, a significant “cash-for-jobs” scam came to light. The scam’s alleged mastermind was Rakesh Kumar Paul, who served as chairman of the APSC after being appointed by the Congress government in 2008 and becoming chairman in 2013. Paul was accused of orchestrating a “jobs bazaar,” reportedly collecting between Rs 10 lakh and Rs 40 lakh from candidates for manipulating mark sheets and securing jobs. Investigations uncovered that over 70 people, including Paul and more than 50 civil and police officials, were arrested in connection with these irregularities. Reports from the Justice (Retd) BK Sharma Commission, which probed anomalies in the APSC Combined Competitive Examination (CCE) for 2013 and 2014, were tabled in the Assam Assembly on February 18, 2025. These reports named Rakesh Paul as the “mastermind” and raised questions regarding his appointment process during the previous administration. The commission’s findings detailed how marks were enhanced and fake answer scripts were created, highlighting an “all-round illegality” that reduced the APSC to a “private guild” for “job for extraneous consideration.” In response to this historical context, the current BJP-led government, which came to power in May 2016, pledged a zero-tolerance policy against corruption. Chief Minister Sarma has repeatedly emphasized that his government has introduced a unified recruitment system by enacting new legislation and constituting separate commissions for Grade III and Grade IV posts. These examinations are conducted on a single day across 28 districts, with internet services often suspended to ensure fairness. Candidates are also now allowed to download their OMR sheets and take question papers home, enhancing transparency.Key details
The Chief Minister’s recent statements in Morigaon are part of a broader commitment to eradicate corruption from public service. The Assam government has set an ambitious target under its “Mission 2 Lakh Govt Jobs” initiative, aiming to provide two lakh additional government jobs over the next five years. A high-level task force, headed by Assam Chief Secretary Ravi Kota, was constituted on May 13, 2026, to prepare a roadmap for this large-scale recruitment drive. This task force is responsible for assessing existing and future vacancies, manpower requirements, and recommending reforms to streamline recruitment processes for faster and more transparent appointments. Furthermore, the government has taken institutional steps to bolster public service delivery and accountability. On December 1, 2024, Chief Minister Sarma inaugurated the Assam State Commission for the Right to Public Services. This independent quasi-judicial body, with a chief commissioner and two members, is tasked with recommending disciplinary action against public servants who persistently fail to provide notified services within stipulated timelines. The government’s “Seva Setu” platform already recognises 725 citizen rights across 64 government departments, with over 1.56 crore applications received and a resolution rate exceeding 90 percent.Reactions
The Congress party has countered the Chief Minister’s claims, accusing the current government of corruption. Congress leader Pawan Khera, on November 28, 2025, alleged “large-scale corruption” under the Sarma administration, warning that the state’s institutions were being compromised. Khera claimed that Assam, once known for its tea, culture, and harmony, was now associated with drugs, cattle smuggling, and corruption. Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, on April 13, 2026, called Chief Minister Sarma “the most corrupt in the country” and accused him of “abusing state power to harass his political opponents.” Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, on April 7, 2026, further dubbed Sarma as the “most corrupt” in India, alleging that he was “working only for his family’s development” and “running syndicates in everything.”The Chief Minister has dismissed these allegations as politically motivated.“No CM in India is so egoistic and arrogant, like him. Himanta Biswa Sarma is working only for his family’s development. He is running syndicates in everything — tea, school, coal, egg, land and areca nut,” Mallikarjun Kharge said.