Ahmedabad: College students now increasingly prefer government jobs over private ones. Of 7,500 youngsters studying in 94 colleges surveyed in the state, a whopping 60 percent want to get a government job. Of the remaining 40 percent, 20 percent expressed their interest to pursue higher education while the rest said they would either join their family business or start an enterprise, reported Times of India.

Unlike the past when fat pay packets and fast growth options were the priorities of the students, job security takes the center stage now. In this year's placements at Indian Institute of Management-Ahmedabad (IIM-A), 41 students were picked up by the public sector, with 18 opting to join nationalized Union Bank of India (UBI). Moreover, after Sixth Pay Commission, government salaries have shot up. Benefits like life-long pension, holidays and fixed working hours are adding to the allure of government jobs.

"The survey, which includes final year students in graduate and post-graduate programs, was conducted in February-March, months which saw maximum retrenchment globally as well as locally. Insecurity in the private sector seems to have changed the mindset of youth," says SR Apte, Director of BM Institute of Mental Health that conducted the survey.

"When I started my graduation, I wanted to pursue MBA and join a multinational. Now, I have decided to do MSc and take up a job as lecturer in a government college," says Maitreya Acharya, final year BSc student.

BCom student Hetal Panchal has started preparing for the civil services. "After the Sixth Pay Commission, salaries in government jobs are really attractive," she says.