More applications pour in at SSC after exam reforms

The SSC is entrusted with the recruitment for Group ‘C’ (non-technical) and Group ‘B’ (non-gazetted — both technical and non-technical) posts in various ministries and departments of Central government,their attached and subordinate offices. In 2009-10,the SSC received 18.1 lakh applications and conducted exams for 11.5 lakh candidates. As many as 10,576 candidates were selected.

“But in the current session,2010-11,55 lakh applications have been received. The exam was conducted for 47 lakh candidates and 23,000 were recruited. By March 31,2011,the recruitment figure will cross 25,000,” said Raghupati.

He explained: “As part of the recommendations of the second Administrative Reforms Commission (ARC),we have decreased the time consumed in the recruitment. Since 2010,we have been completing the process of recruitment in single stage exams in six months,two-stage exam in nine months and multi-stage exam in a year from the date of advertisement. With results coming fast,more candidates are applying.”

Raghupati said the decrease in the age limit for exams — for central police organisations,tax assistant and section officers (audit) — as recommended by the second ARC,had not been approved by the government. The commission had recommended that the age limit for all these positions should be 20-25 years for general candidates,for which the eligibility is graduation. The age criterion is 27 years at present.

Raghupati was in Chandigarh on Tuesday as a part of visits to SSC offices. The city has a sub-divisional office of SSC at Kendriya Sadan,Sector 9.