Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions
National Recruitment Agency
Posted On: 05 NOV 2021 15:59 PM
“The National Recruitment Agency will prove to be a boon for crores of youngsters. Through the Common Eligibility Test, it will eliminate multiple tests and save precious time as well as resources. This will also be a big boost to transparency.”
- PM Shri Narendra Modi
Introduction
Government has formed a multi-agencybody namely - National Recruitment Agency (NRA) which will prove to be a boon for millions of youngsters who are looking for a meaningful profession in the service of the nation. The NRA will be entrusted with conducting a computer-based online Common Eligibility Test (CET), eliminating multiple tests and saving time as well as resources of candidates and government. It will also give a massive boost to transparency.
Common Eligibility Test (CET)
- Government has introduced the Common Eligibility Test (CET) to shortlist the candidates for:
- Vacancies of group ‘B’ -Gazetted& Non-Gazetted posts (which are exempted from consultation with UPSC),
- Group ‘C’ posts in the Government, and
- Equivalent posts (where no such classifications exist)
through a computer-based online Tier-1 examination to be conducted exclusively by NRA.
- CET is a first level test to shortlist the candidates.
- CET scores enable candidates to approach various recruitment agencies for taking the next level tests for final selection.
- Candidates can take test multiple times.
- Each score is valid for three years and the best score is to be taken.
Status:
- The proposal to set up of NRA was considered and approved by the Cabinet on August 19, 2020.
- NRA has been registered as a Society and a certificate for registration has been issued on December 12, 2020.
- NRA to conduct first CET in 2021 itself
Ease of Access to all Aspirants:
(Source: https://static.pib.gov.in/WriteReadData/specificdocs/documents/2021/sep/NRA%20ENGLISH.pdf)
Benefits for the Candidates:
- Common Registration
- Single fee
- Savings in time and cost
- Common Curriculum
- Standard Question Bank
- Secure examination process
- Quicker Generation of scores
- Better Infrastructure
- Improved facilities & access for rural/women/disadvantaged candidates
Benefits for the Government:
- In the longer run, the CET score could be shared with other recruiting agencies on MoU/Cost sharing basis, for appointment in their organisations. This would help such organisations in saving costs and time spent on recruitment.
- Reduced time for recruitment cycle.
Transformative Changes:
|
Pre – NRA situation
|
Post – NRA (CET) scenario
|
|
Multiple Recruitment Agencies of Government of India and separate recruitment tests with multiple tiers in multiple locations.
|
No need for availability of test centres, security, supervision, question paper setting, processing of applications, logistics etc. by each Recruitment Agency for conducting own separate screening test.
|
|
Fees for each test by candidate causing burden.
|
Selected Candidate by CET can focus on next tier.
|
|
Test centres located mostly in urban areas.
|
At least a test centre will be located in all districts across over the country.
|
|
Test not available in multiple languages.
|
Reduced time in selection process and recruitment cycle will be faster.
|
|
Test results not available quickly
|
Positive effect on efficiency of Government functioning with manpower in place.
|
Way Forward:
- Outreach to provide assistance to the candidates, especially in Aspirational Districts/Rural Areas. Counselling services for hand-holding to be provided.
- NRA to conduct the CET in multiple languages.
- Set up a 24x7 Help Line for answering queries, complaints or grievances.
- Government of India funding for developing testing centres in 117 Aspirational Districts.
- NRA to conduct CET with at least one test centre in every district.
- Savings @ Rs.600 Cr per annum would accrue to the Recruitment agencies with launch of the CET.
Source:PIB e-booklet on National Recruitment Agency
AG/SA/IJ
Visitor Counter : 1489