Computer-based tests, no interview, no descriptive papers: SSC reduced recruitment cycle to 6–10 months, says Minister

Staff Selection Commission (SSC) has made various reforms to shorten the recruitment cycle from the previous 15–18 months to 6–10 months. Union Minister of State for Personnel Jitendra Singh told the Rajya Sabha in a written response that the notice period for tests has been slashed from around 45 days to 21 days.

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The SSC has also shifted entirely from pen-and-paper based examinations to computer-based tests. Apart from this, the number of tiers in some examinations has been minimized.

Descriptive-type papers have been eliminated from all the examinations except the combined Hindi translators examination, Singh added. The interview process has also been dropped. Checking of documents of the shortlisted candidates is presently being done directly by the concerned ministries and departments dealing with the post-specific vacancy.

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The SSC has launched an online centralised e-dossier system for secure and transparent management of candidate records. Singh mentioned that the system permits role-based, controlled access to authorized users and offers a tracking mechanism with special numbers for data integrity.

The e-dossier system has already been introduced in exams like combined graduate level 2024, combined higher secondary level 2024, junior engineer 2024, and multi-tasking staff and havaldar 2024.

The new system has facilitated quicker validation and forwarding of dossiers, improved coordination between SSC and ministries, and minimized use of physical records, thus speeding up pre-appointment verification and recommendations, the minister added.

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Regarding the use of regional languages in recruitment exams, Singh reported that since 2022, the SSC has been holding three all-India exams, multi-tasking staff and Havaldar, combined higher secondary level, and Constable (GD) in 13 regional languages as well as Hindi and English.

Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS) and the Railway Recruitment Boards (RRBs), also hold their exams in 13 regional languages while in civil services exams, contestants can answer questions in any one of the 22 languages specified in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution, apart from Hindi and English.