Two high‑profile recruitment disputes – the Mega DSC‑2025 teacher hiring and the 2018 APPSC Group‑I exam – have thrust Gen Z concerns into the political spotlight. Candidates now demand answers on whether the process was truly fair.

  • Over 5.7 lakh candidates applied for 16,347 teacher posts in the Mega DSC‑2025.
  • More than 330 petitions, including 69 on sports‑quota, have been filed in the High Court.
  • Both the ruling TDP and opposition YSRCP are using the disputes to mobilise Gen‑Z voters.

Two recruitment controversies – the Mega District Selection Committee (DSC)‑2025 teacher hiring and the 2018 APPSC Group‑I examination – have become flashpoints in Andhra Pradesh’s political arena. While parties battle for narrative mileage, the core concern of candidates is whether the selection process was truly fair.

Through Mega DSC‑2025, the government announced 16,347 teacher vacancies, attracting more than 5.7 lakh applications. Exams were held from June 6 to July 2, 2025, and ultimately 15,941 candidates received appointment orders, leaving 406 posts vacant due to a lack of eligible candidates. The government maintains that the recruitment adhered to the notified rules, reservation rosters and official orders.

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Nevertheless, the High Court has been repeatedly approached. As of August 2026, a total of 335 petitions have been filed, 69 of which pertain to the sports‑quota. The court has not stayed the process and has observed that no clear violation of prescribed norms has been demonstrated.

The opposition YSRCP has turned the DSC controversy into a broader youth mobilisation campaign, seeking to tap into Gen‑Z anxieties. It has alleged irregularities and demanded accountability from Education Minister Nara Lokesh.

A key grievance is the decision to entrust a single institutional set‑up with both question‑bank preparation and exam conduct. The case of P. Naveen, an outsourced employee of the State Council of Educational Research and Training, whose name appeared in the first merit list before disappearing from the revised list, became a political flashpoint, raising suspicions of insider access to question papers.

The sports‑quota controversy added another layer. The coalition government had enhanced reservation for meritorious sportspersons to 3%, providing horizontal reservation without a competitive exam. The subsequent reinstatement of a mandatory exam drew sharp criticism.

The TDP and its allies have counter‑attacked by reviving the APPSC Group‑I 2018 recruitment controversy. A 2018 notification to fill 169 Group‑I posts became embroiled in litigation over the mains evaluation. In March 2024, a single judge, while YSRCP was in power, declared the second and third valuations illegal and ordered a fresh examination.

Why This Matters

BozokMedia analysis shows that beyond party rivalries, the credibility of state recruitment drives directly influences the trust Gen‑Z places in democratic institutions. If candidates perceive bias, it could erode confidence in future government initiatives.

"A lack of transparency in recruitment not only disappoints the youth but also hampers the state's developmental capacity," says political analyst Dr. Ramesh Kumar.
Did You Know?: The Mega DSC‑2025 attracted more applications than the total number of teachers currently employed in the state.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: What was the final outcome of the Mega DSC‑2025 recruitment?

A: 15,941 candidates received appointment orders, while 406 posts remained vacant due to insufficient eligible applicants.

Q2: How has the judiciary responded to the APPSC Group‑I 2018 case?

A: The High Court declared the second and third valuations of the mains papers illegal and ordered a fresh examination.