National Recruitment Agency: A Transformational Reform In Recruitment Process For Central Government Jobs

• 20 Aug 2020

Context

• The Union Cabinet has cleared a proposal to set up a National Recruitment Agency (NRA). The NRA will conduct a common preliminary examination for various recruitments in the central government.

Current Trend 

• At present, aspirants have to take different exams that are conducted by various agencies for central government jobs that have many drawbacks as students have to spend more money and place of tests also vary. Further, the recruiting agencies are busy with recruitment cycles.

What will NRA do?

• The NRA will conduct a Common Eligibility Test (CET) and that score will be basis for a candidate to apply for a vacancy with the respective agency.
• Validity of the Score: The CET score of a candidate shall be valid for a period of three years from the date of declaration of the result.
• Attempts: There will be no restriction on the number of attempts to be taken by a candidate to appear in the CET but, it will be subject to the upper age limit. There will be relaxation in the upper age limit for SC/ST/OBC and other categories as per the policy of the Government.
• Mode of Examination: The CET will be conducted in multiple languages - in 12 languages that are in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution of India.
• Curriculum: The curriculum for CET would be common.
• Frequency: The Common Eligibility Test will be held twice a year.

Which category of jobs come under this system?

• NRA will organise a Common Eligibility Test for Group B and C (non -technical) posts, which are now being conducted by the Staff Selection Commission, Railways Recruitment Board and Institute of Banking Personnel Selection.

The Procedure

• The test will be conducted for graduate, higher secondary (12th pass) and the matriculate (10th pass) candidates.
• On the basis of CET score, final selection for recruitment will be made through separate specialised examination which will be conducted by the respective recruitment agencies such as SSC, IBPS and RRB.

What will happen to SSC, IBPS and RRB?

• The present recruitment agencies i.e. IBPS, RRB and SCC will remain in place. The NRA will have representatives from SSC, IBPS and RRB.

Centre for CET

• To carry out CET, examination centres would be set up in every district of the country. Examination infrastructure in the 117 ‘Aspirational Districts’ will be the focus of this initiative.

Benefits of the New System

• Reduce Financial Burden on Candidates: It will benefit the poor candidates, as they will appear a single examination near their home as every district will have such centres.
• Reduction in Recruitment Cycle: CET will “significantly reduce” the recruitment cycle that will help respective agenciesin precious time as well as resources.