Computer-based exams, no interviews: SSC announces new reforms for faster hiring

Staff Selection Commission (SSC) has announced procedural reforms to reduce time involved in government hiring. Recruitment processes which used to stretch from 15-18 months have now been cut short to 6-10 months.

The SSC has also shifted to conduction of computer-based examinations leaving behind the pen-paper model.

Union Minister Jitendra Singh has also informed the Rajya Sabha that the notice period for examinations has been reduced to 21 days from 45.

According to a report by India Today, number of tiers in specific exams have also been reduced including descriptive papers in all test, with an exception of Combined Hindi Translators Examination.

According to the reforms, interview stages have also been scrapped and document verification of selected candidates will be managed by SSC and/or by the ministries and departments which have advertised about the vacancies.

An online centralised e-dossier system has been launched an by the SSC to provide role-based access for authorised officials. The platform will also track each record through unique identifiers.

Singh said that coordination between SSC and ministries will be improved due to the platform and will also reduce dependence on physical documents.

According to the publication, the e-dossier system had already been applied in examinations - Combined Graduate Level 2024, Combined Higher Secondary Level 2024, Junior Engineer 2024, and the Multi-Tasking Staff and Havaldar 2024.

The Minister also mentioned that these changes have helped in accelerated validation of dossiers leading to quick pre-appointment verification.

The SSC has also provided more language options for candidates. Three examinations under the SSC - Multi-Tasking Staff and Havaldar, Combined Higher Secondary Level, and Constable (General Duty) - have been conducted in 13 regional languages (in addition of Hindi and English) since 2022.

According to India Today, civil services examinations also provides candidates options to write their answers in any of the 22 languages listed in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution.

The 13-language model has also been adopted by recruitment bodies like the Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS) and the Railway Recruitment Boards (RRBs).