Hi-tech cop recruitment process gets pat from PC

The system is being used in the current recruitment of 35,000 constables across the state,which began on October 22. The system,however,has run into rough weather due to poor Internet connectivity in the state.

Computers installed with the new software were sent to all the districts,but these did not connect with the server at the headquarters in Lucknow.

The first stage in the recruitment involves the physical measurement of the candidates. Since the new system is yet to be made operational,the measurement is being done manually.

According to the authorities,the system will be restored by November 12,when the next stage of recruitment — Physical Endurance Test (PET) — will begin at 25 places.

The UP Police Recruitment and Promotion Board had hired two reputed private firms — which do not want to identify themselves for security reasons — to provide technical expertise for the different stages of the recruitment process. The project will cost Rs 12 crore.

The firms have conducted various exams across the country,including GMAT.

Additional Director General of the Board V C Goel said the firms have prepared a programme for verifying the particulars of each candidate using a bar-code after collecting the thumb impression on a biometric machine.

Goel said the programme will be used to identify a candidate with the help of the fingerprint collected earlier.

Since the fingerprints will be linked with the information about the candidate in the server,it will be used to match the documents produced by the candidate at the time of recruitment with those submitted along with the application form.

Due to the technical snag,the Board has decided to take the thumb impression of those candidates who qualify for the PET.

According to Goel,in order to ensure that there is no connectivity failure during the PET,the company has set up its own network at the 25 centres where the test will be held.  

The buck does not stop here. The written examination will comprise objective type-questions,which will enable the candidate to take home a duplicate of his answer sheet.

The ADG said the Board has received 7.54 lakh application forms,of which about 6 lakh candidates will appear for the recruitment.