Job rush in Utta Pradesh, India

More than 2.3 million people have applied to be general assistants in regional government offices in northern India, officials say on Thursday.

The rush for the 368 lowly positions in Uttar Pradesh state included 222,000 graduates and 225 doctorate holders.

The minimum criteria for applicants were completion of fifth grade and the ability to ride a bicycle.

State Minister Ambika Chaudhary said that it would take about four years to interview all the applicants.

“We may ask for fresh applications with a new recruitment process,” she said.

The job involves fetching tea and drinking water and carrying files to officials’ desks.

The monthly salary is about 20,000 rupees (300 dollars) but the jobs are coveted as perks include subsidised housing and pension payments.

Uttar Pradesh, India’s most populous state with around 200 million people, has soaring unemployment, including an estimated 13 million among those aged 15 to 35 alone, according to government data