New Delhi: The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, approved the plan to set up a National Recruitment Agency (NRA) on Wednesday. It will conduct a common preliminary examination for various recruitments in the Central government.
Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Thursday announced that only the youth of the state will be allowed government jobs on the basis of their score in the NRA test becoming the first state to do so.
“We have taken an important decision that the state government jobs will be only given to youngsters who belong to MP. We are putting in place necessary legal provisions to this effect. MP’s resources are only for the state’s children,” the minister said in a video clip released to the media.
“From today, the children of Madhya Pradesh will have the first right over the resources of Madhya Pradesh. All government jobs will be reserved only for the children of Madhya Pradesh. Our aim is to involve the local talents in the upliftment of the state,” the minister tweeted, reported Hindustan Times.
Here is all you need to know about the latest proposal by the government.
Why is the NRA needed?
In the current set up, aspirants have to take different exams conducted by various agencies for Central government jobs. According to C Chandramouli, Secretary, Department of Personnel and Training, on an average, 2.5 crore to 3 crore aspirants appear for about 1.25 lakh vacancies in the Central government every year, mentioned The Indian Express.
What would the NRA do?
After the NRA is set up, it will conduct a common eligibility test (CET). On the basis of the CET score, a candidate can apply for a vacancy with the respective agency. CET will be an online computer-based exam. Its score will be valid for 3 years.
Will the NRA conduct test for all government vacancies?
Initially, NRA will organise CET to shortlist candidates for Group B and C (non-technical) posts. As of now, screening for these exams are done by the Staff Selection Commission (SSC), Railways Recruitment Board (SSC) and Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS). Later on, more exams may be brought under the NRA.
The proposed agency will have representatives from SSC, IBPS and RRB. It will conduct tests for three levels, graduate, higher secondary (Class XII pass) and matriculate (Class X pass) candidates. However, IBPS, RRB and SSC will still remain in place.
Based on the screening done by the CET score, final selection of employees will be made through separate specialised Tiers (II, III, etc.). These tests will be conducted by the respective recruitment agencies. The curriculum for CET would be common.
What all has happened up to now?
•Information and Broadcasting Minister Prakash Javadekar had said that the decision will allow job-seekers to take one common test and save costs and time spent on writing multiple exams. Reportedly, candidates who clear CET once will be eligible to attempt for the second level exam (mains) thrice (once every year). They will not have to appear for the PT/ screening test again for three years. Currently, those who pass the PT and fail in the Main exam (tier 2) have to again appear for the PT next year and start afresh.
•Madhya Pradesh is the first state in the country that has decided to only allow youths of the state to hold government jobs in the state, based on CET score.
•The Union Personnel Ministry has said that NRA will set up examination centres in every district of the country.
•According to a press release issued by the government, NRA has been envisioned as ‘a specialist body bringing the state of the art technology and best practices to the field of central government recruitment’.
•NRA will benefit around 25 million aspirants who apply for multiple government jobs every year and have to apply for each exam separately.
•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.
•Candidates will have the option to schedule their own tests at the centre of their choice. Examination centre will be allotted as per the availability of seats in one of the chosen centres by the examinee.
•Government has sanctioned a sum of Rs 1517.57 crore for the NRA. The expenditure will be undertaken over a period of three years. The cost will also be incurred for setting up exam infrastructure in 117 districts with large numbers of aspirants. The proposal is expected to ease access to aspirants residing in rural areas.
•CET would be available in a number of languages, benefiting aspirants from different regions of the country. Presently, most of the exams are conducted in English and Hindi languages.