Over 1 Lakh Government Posts Vacant in Himachal, High Court Seeks Clarity on Recruitment Progress
The scale of vacancies in Himachal Pradesh’s government departments has come into sharp focus, with the state government informing the High Court that more than 1.07 lakh sanctioned posts are currently lying vacant across various departments.
The disclosure was made through an affidavit submitted before a Division Bench of the Himachal Pradesh High Court comprising Chief Justice Gurmeet Singh Sandhawalia and Justice Bipin Chander Negi during the hearing of an ongoing matter related to government staffing and recruitment.
According to the affidavit, the state has a total of 3,36,542 sanctioned posts under existing recruitment and promotion rules. Of these, 2,28,891 positions are occupied, while 1,07,466 posts remain vacant, highlighting the significant manpower gap across government offices and public services.
The government also informed the court that 14,619 personnel are currently engaged through outsourcing arrangements to support departmental functioning.
To address the shortage, the state said recruitment efforts have been underway since January 1, 2023. During this period, 10,989 posts were filled through regular recruitment and promotion processes, while another 12,004 appointments were made through the Himachal Pradesh Public Service Commission and the State Selection Commission.
The affidavit also clarified a discrepancy related to outsourced staff numbers. In an earlier submission made in June 2026, the government had stated that 26,724 outsourced employees were working across departments. The latest affidavit explains that the earlier figure included 12,105 individuals engaged under centrally sponsored schemes, which led to the higher count. After excluding those workers, the revised number of outsourced employees stands at 14,619.
During the hearing, lawyers representing the petitioners requested additional time to study the fresh affidavit and examine the data provided by the state government. The court accepted the request and granted more time.
Meanwhile, the state government also sought additional time to comply with directions issued by the High Court in its order dated August 5, 2026.
The matter will now come up for further hearing on September 8, when the court is expected to review the state’s progress on recruitment, staffing shortages, and compliance with its earlier orders.
With thousands of vacancies still unfilled, the case remains significant for job seekers and for citizens who rely on government departments for essential public services across Himachal Pradesh.
