Village to Vikas: Exploring DAKSEVA & Anganwadi Job Pathways

Indian citizens often glamourize working in the big cities due to the prestige and the benefits that come along with it. However, rural development and support is still one of the main priorities within the country.

One of the main factors that bridge the gap between government programs and initiatives is the hard work and dedication of grassroots workers. It’s not as fancy as working in highly urbanized areas, but the importance of their service is just as important as anything else.

Two major jobs that play a major role in rural growth are DAKSECA and Anganwadi jobs. Focusing mainly on the postal and community welfare sectors respectively, both are vital in improving life in rural areas and ensuring that quality service is provided despite the geographical, societal, and economic gaps.

This article explains what DAKSEVA and Anganwadi roles are, who are eligible for these jobs, how to apply, and why these are great posts for those who want to serve in these areas as well as the people living in these locations.

Understanding the DAKSEVA Role

DAKSEVA, also known as Gramin Dak Sevak (GDS), is a position under the Indian Post. Intended to provide postal services to rural communities, the role is more than just delivering letters and packages. It also ensures that basic government services reach all locations within the country, no matter how secluded or difficult to access.

The key duties of a DAKSEVA include delivering letters, parcels, and official communications to and from rural areas. These also include providing basic banking services in cooperation with India Post Payments Bank such as disbursement of pensions and government subsidies.

Perhaps most importantly, DAKSEVA also helps in promoting financial literacy in rural areas. This provides long-term benefits so that those living in villages can learn on how to better handle their money and other assets.

Generally, DAKSEVA jobs are on a part-time basis, as most of these workers also have other responsibilities as other jobs, their own farms, or other small businesses. This part-time employment scheme gives flexibility and balance to workers in these positions.

The Anganwadi Worker’s Role in Rural Development

On the other hand, Anganwadi jobs focus on responsibilities such as ensuring child and maternal welfare, nutrition, and early childhood education.

Falling under the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) program, Anganwadi workers have responsibilities such as running Anganwadi centres to provide nutrition to children 6 years old or under, pregnant women, and lactating mothers.

Other responsibilities include coordinating with health workers to fight off disease by organizing immunization drives, running education campaigns focused on mothers regarding nutrition, healthcare, and hygiene, as well as conducting pre-school activities for better child development.

In a nutshell, Anganwadi workers server as the frontliner and main point of contact between rural communities and the overall health and nutrition network. This makes their roles critical in reducing malnutrition, improving literacy rates, and improving overall lives of citizens in villages all over the country.

Eligibility and Recruitment Process

If you are interested in either DAKSEVA or Anganwadi roles, you must follow certain procedures and must be eligible based on certain criteria. Listed below are the main requirements if you want to work in any of these positions.

DAKSEVA (GDS) Requirements

DAKSEVA workers need to have basic computer knowledge and must be at a minimum 10^th pass. As for age, you must be between 18 to 40 years old, with age relaxation for reserved categories such as for those that are considered PwDs.

Selection is based on marks in the 10^th standard. Usually, there is no written exam. However, knowledge in the local language is often a mandatory requirement before you can be accepted for these positions.

Anganwadi Jobs Requirements

For Anganwadi jobs, those who want to apply are required to have at least Class 10 pass, although in some cases, especially for helps, Class 8 pass is also acceptable.

Age limit will vary from state to state, but typically those between 18 to 35 years old are accepted.

Selection, on the other hand, is conducted by the state’s Women and Child Development department, with merit lists acting as the main criteria for recruitment.

Why These Jobs Matter for Rural India

Both DAKSEVA and Anganwadi jobs help rural India, especially when it comes to outreach efforts.

DAKSEVAs ensure that remote and rural communities stay connected with the country’s national networks, including communication, logistics, and finance, giving a sense of inclusion for these far-off villages.

On the other hand, Anganwadi workers help in the promotion of child and maternal health services. These positions are integral in reducing child mortality rates as well as improving literacy and nutrition rates in these often-neglected areas.

From Village to Vikas – Career Growth Opportunities

Aside from getting stable government income as well as community respect, those working as DAKSEVE or Anganwadi can also see and feel the direct impact and positive change that they do in the community.

Also, these positions provide clear pathways for career growth, even if these posts are at the grassroots level.

For example, DAKSEVAs can eventually be promoted to Postal Assistants or Postmasters after taking exams and based on seniority, while Anganwadis can become Supervisors or Child Development Project Officers, or CDPOs.

Moreover, these experiences can help them land jobs in other divisions or departments that are focused in related areas such as rural administration, education, finance, or public health.

Conclusion

DAKSEVA and Anganwadi are critical in rural progress. They do not just deliver letters or provide outreach. These jobs also deliver hope and promote change at the grassroots level.

For many DAKSEVAs and Anganwadis, these jobs are not just a way to earn money or to gain prestige. For many, they are a calling, especially as it helps serve, uplift, and transform communities and the people living in them.

DAKSEVAs and Anganwadis are tools for change in the nation’s development journey and are truly pathways from village to Vikas.