5,486 vie for 342 temple posts in Andhra Pradesh

Vijayawada: The endowments department has launched a centralised recruitment drive, drawing 5,486 applications for 342 vacancies.

Endowments commissioner K Ramachandra Mohan said the posts include Veda Parayanadars, archakas, paricharakas, bhajantris and temple cooks in major temples across the state.

Oral tests for Veda Parayanadar posts began on Monday. The commissioner said the centralised process was adopted to ensure transparency and merit-based selection. Candidates will be assessed on educational qualifications, Vedic knowledge, experience and performance in the oral test.

Officials said interviews are being video-recorded, with scholars from other zones acting as examiners and deputy commissioners from outside candidates’ zones overseeing the process. Three interview boards have been constituted, and candidates are not informed in advance about the panel they will face.

Interviews for various multi-zone roles will continue until June 16. Recruitment for archaka, paricharaka, bhajantri, and other posts will be taken up in phases after completion of the Veda Parayanadar selection.