PANAJI
The craze for government jobs was once again evident -- this time in the latest police recruitment, where a sizeable number of engineers, lawyers and postgraduates figured among thousands of applicants seeking selection as police constables.
Over 24,500 aspirants have applied for 479 vacancies in the Goa police, taking the competition to nearly 51 candidates for a single post. Despite the minimum eligibility being Higher Secondary education, police sources said the applicant list features degree holders, diploma engineers, graduates and legal professionals.
The recruitment process, being conducted through the Goa Staff Selection Commission (GSSC), will begin with a Computer-Based Recruitment Test (CBRT) this week. Candidates shortlisted in the examination will proceed to the subsequent stages of selection.
The ongoing drive includes recruitment for 360 male police constables, 119 female police constables, 111 police drivers (Grade III), 60 wardens, 23 round foresters, 13 range forest officers and nine forest guards.
The massive response has simultaneously drawn attention to the manpower shortage within the department, where more than 1,000 posts are currently lying vacant.
Government records show that the department presently has 1,036 vacancies across various ranks. Of these, 860 Group ‘C’ posts that arose till December 31, 2025, have already been uploaded on the GSSC website for direct recruitment, while another 43 vacancies arising after January 1, 2026, are expected to be notified next year.
The records further state that 33 Group ‘B’ vacancies meant for direct recruitment and deputation have already been conveyed to the Goa Public Service Commission, while one remaining vacancy will be forwarded shortly.
The staffing crunch has been building over the last five years due to retirements, resignations and attrition within the force. Official figures show that 102 personnel retired in 2024 and another 69 retired in 2025, while attrition due to deaths, dismissals and other causes accounted for 30 cases in 2024 and 22 in 2025. One resignation in 2025 and four in 2024 were also recorded.
Among the most severe shortages are posts carrying 100 percent vacancy, including Additional Director General of Police, Dy Director (Administration), Police Inspector (Armourer), Police Inspector (Wireless), Police Sub-Inspector (Cipher), Female Nurse, Language Teacher and several technical and other related posts.
The force is also grappling with a 36 percent vacancy in Police Sub-Inspector posts and 28 percent vacancies among female PSIs. Other shortages comprise 64 percent vacancies in Mechanic Grade-II posts, 80 percent in Cobbler (Mochi) posts, and 28 percent vacancies among Police Constable Drivers (Grade III).
Police Constable vacancies currently stand at 11 percent, while several specialised constable categories, including Constable (Seacunny), Constable (Engine Driver) and Police Constable (Sweeper), are either heavily understaffed or completely vacant.
The shortage of Police Sub-Inspectors has emerged as another major concern, with around 157 PSI posts lying vacant across the State. Police stations in Panaji, Pernem and Agassaim are among the worst affected.
Amid these, Goa’s police-population ratio presently stands at 571 police personnel per one lakh population.
