Posted On: 19 AUG 2020 4:26PM by PIB Delhi
Cabinet approves creation of National Recruitment Agency (NRA),
paving the way for a transformational reform in the recruitment process for
central government jobs
NRA: A Multi-Agency Body to encompass the first level test by
the Staff Selection Commission (SSC), the Railway Recruitment Boards (RRBs) and
the Institute of Banking Service Personnel (IBPS)
Common eligibility Test (CET) to screen candidates at the first
level for SSC, RRBs and IBPS
CET: A computer based online Common Eligibility Test (CET) for
the Graduate, the Higher Secondary (12th pass) and the Matriculate (10th Pass)
candidates as a path-breaking reform.
CET in Every District: Ease of Access to Rural youth, women and
disadvantaged candidates
CET: Focus on access to Test Centres in Aspirational Districts
CET: Uniform Transformative Recruitment Process
CET In; Multiplicity of Exams Out
CET by NRA: Robust use of ICT to Eradicate Malpractices
CET: A first stage screening of eligible candidates
CET to reduce Recruitment Cycle
NRA to conduct Mock Test for rural youth
NRA to have mock tests, 24x7 helpline and grievance redressal
portal
The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister, Shri
Narendra Modi has given its
approval for creation of National
Recruitment Agency (NRA), paving the way for a transformational reform in the
recruitment process for central government jobs.
Recruitment Reform - a
major boon for the youth
At present, candidates
seeking government jobs have to appear for separate examinations conducted by
multiple recruiting agencies for various posts, for which similar eligibility
conditions have been prescribed. Candidates have to pay fee to multiple
recruiting agencies and also have to travel long distances for appearing in
various exams. These multiple recruitment examinations are a burden on the
candidates, as also on the respective recruitment agencies, involving
avoidable/repetitive expenditure, law and order/security related issues and
venue related problems. On an average, 2.5 crore to 3 crore candidates appear
in each of these examinations. A common eligibility Test would enable these
candidates to appear once and apply to any or all of these recruitment agencies
for the higher level of examination. This would indeed be a boon to all the
candidates.
National Recruitment Agency (NRA)
A multi-agency body
called the National Recruitment Agency (NRA) will conduct a Common Eligibility
Test (CET) to screen/shortlist candidates for the Group B and C (non-technical)
posts. NRA will have representatives of Ministry of Railways,
Ministry of Finance/Department of Financial Services, the SSC, RRB & IBPS.
It is envisioned that the NRA would be a specialist body bringing the
state-of-the-art technology and best practices to the field of Central
Government recruitment.
Access to Examination Centres
Examination Centres in
every District of the country would greatly enhance access to the candidates
located in far-flung areas. Special focus on creating examination
infrastructure in the 117 Aspirational Districts would go a long way in
affording access to candidates at a place nearer to where they reside. The
benefits in terms of cost, effort, safety and much more would be immense. The
proposal will not only ease access to rural candidates, it will also motivate
the rural candidates residing in the far-flung areas to take the examination
and thereby, enhance their representation in Central Government jobs. Taking
job opportunities closer to the people is a radical step that would greatly
enhance ease of living for the youth.
Major Relief to poor
Candidates
Presently, the
candidates have to appear in multiple examinations conducted by multiple
agencies. Apart from the examination fees, candidates have to incur
additional expenses for travel, boarding, lodging and other such. A single
examination would reduce the financial burden on candidates to a large extent.
Women candidates to benefit greatly
Women candidates
especially from rural areas face constraints in appearing in multiple
examinations as they have to arrange for transportation and places to stay in
places that are far away. They sometimes have to find suitable persons to
accompany them to these Centres that are located far away. The location of test
centres in every District would greatly benefit candidates from rural areas in
general and women candidates in particular.
Bonanza for Candidates from Rural Areas
Given the financial
and other constraints, the candidates from rural background have to make a
choice as to which examination they want to appear in. Under the NRA, the
candidates by appearing in one examination will get an opportunity to compete
for many posts. NRA will conduct the first-level /Tier I Examination
which is the stepping stone for many other selections.
CET Score to be valid for three years, no bar on attempts
The CET score of the
candidate shall be valid for a period of three years from the date of
declaration of the result. The best of the valid scores shall be deemed
to be the current score of the candidate. There shall be no restriction
on the number of attempts to be taken by a candidate to appear in the CET
subject to the upper age limit. Relaxation in the upper age limit shall be
given to candidates of SC/ST/OBC and other categories as per the extant policy
of the Government. This would go a long way in mitigating the hardship of
candidates who spend a considerable amount of time, money and effort preparing
and giving these examinations every year.
Standardised Testing
NRA shall conduct a
separate CET each for the three levels of graduate, higher secondary (12th
pass) and the matriculate (10th pass) candidates
for those non-technical posts to which recruitment is presently carried out by
the Staff Selection Commission (SSC), the Railway Recruitment Boards (RRBs) and
by the Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS). Based on the screening
done at the CET score level, final selection for recruitment shall be made
through separate specialised Tiers (II, III etc) of examination which shall be
conducted by the respective recruitment agencies. The curriculum for this test
would be common as would be the standard. This would greatly ease the burden of
candidates who are at present required to prepare for each of the examinations
separately as per different curriculum.
Scheduling Tests and choosing Centres
Candidates would have
the facility of registering on a common portal and give a choice of Centres.
Based on availability, they would be allotted Centres. The ultimate aim is to
reach a stage wherein candidates can schedule their own tests at Centres of
their choice.
OUTREACH ACTIVITIES BY NRA
Multiple languages
The CET would be
available in a number of languages. This would greatly facilitate people from
different parts of the country to take the exam and have an equal opportunity
of being selected.
Scores – access to multiple recruitment agencies
Initially the scores would be used by the three major recruitment agencies.
However, over a period of time it is expected that other recruitment agencies
in the Central Government would adopt the same. Further, it would be open for
other agencies in the public as well as private domain to adopt it if they so
choose. Thus, in the long run,
the CET score could be shared with other recruiting agencies in the Central
Government, State Governments/Union Territories, Public Sector Undertaking and
Private Sector. This would help such organizations in saving costs and time
spent on recruitment.
Shortening the recruitment cycle
A single eligibility test would significantly reduce the recruitment cycle.
Some Departments have indicated their intention to do away with any second
level test and go ahead with recruitment on the basis of CET scores, Physical
Tests and Medical examination. This would greatly reduce the cycle and benefit
a large section of youth.
Financial Outlay
The Government has sanctioned a sum of Rs. 1517.57 crore for the National
Recruitment Agency (NRA). The expenditure will be undertaken over a period of
three years. Apart from setting up the NRA, costs will be incurred for setting
up examination infrastructure in the 117 Aspirational Districts.
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