Over 4 Million Jobs Added in 8 Months: CSO Report

As many as 41.26 lakh new jobs were created in the eight months between September 2017 and April 2018, with the largest-ever addition of 6.85 lakh in April alone as per the payroll data from the EPFO (Employees' Provident Fund Organisation), says Central Statistics Office (CSO).

The CSO is the government agency under the Ministry of Statistics, that is responsible for maintaining statistical activities in India. It released a report on "Employment Outlook of the country" covering the period September 2017 to April 2018 yesterday giving a detailed note on the formal employment payroll in India.

It had brought out the first release of employment-related statistics in the formal sector in April this year, covering the period from September 2017 to February, 2018, based on the information on the number of subscribers who have availed benefits under three major schemes, namely - the EPFO, Employees' State Insurance Scheme (ESIC) and National Pension Scheme (NPS).

The similar data release suggests that as many as 41,26,138 new payrolls were created during September 2017 to April 2018, which include 6,85,841 new payrolls in April alone as per records of the retirement fund body EPFO.

EPFO's data showed that April payroll number was the highest in the last eight months, indicating higher jobs creations than preceding 7 months.

In the month of April, the maximum new payrolls of 1.87 lakh were recorded in the age bracket of 18 to 21 years followed by 1.80 lakh in 22 to 25 years bracket.

The body has more than 6 crore active members with at least one-month contribution during the year.

CSO said the estimated total number of new NPS subscribers during the period September 2017 to April 2018 is 5.12 lakh persons. The present report gives different perspectives on the levels of employment in the formal sector and does not measure employment at a holistic level, it added.