New Delhi 19 August 2020: The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has given its approval for creation of National Recruitment Agency (NRA), paving the way for a transformational reform in the recruitment process for central government jobs.
A multi-agency body National Recruitment Agency (NRA) will conduct a Common Eligibility Test (CET) to screen/shortlist candidates for the Group B and C (non-technical) posts. NRA will have representatives of Ministry of Railways, Ministry of Finance/Department of Financial Services, the SSC, RRB & IBPS.
To begin with CET will cover recruitments made by three agencies : viz. Staff Selection Commission, Railway Recruitment Board and the Institute of Banking Personnel Selection. This will be expanded in a phased manner. CET scores can be shared with Central Govt, State Government, UTs, PSUs, and Private sector.
Hence, Common eligibility Test (CET) will screen candidates at the first level for SSC, RRBs and IBPS.
The Common Eligibility Test will be held twice a year.
Tests at Three Levels: CET: A computer based online Common Eligibility Test (CET) will be held for the Graduate, the Higher Secondary (12thpass) and the Matriculate (10th Pass) candidates as a path-breaking reform.
There will be different CETs for graduate level, 12th Pass level and 10th pass level to facilitate recruitment to vacancies at various levels.
Validity of Score and Number of Attempts: Dr Jitendra Singh, Minister for Department of Personnel and Training, terming NRA set up as a historic, said “Validity of Eligibility through #NationalRecruitmentAgency will be 3 years though the candidate will have the option to appear again if he or she wishes to try improving the rank in merit”.
CET will be a first level test to shortlist candidates and the score will be valid for three years. The best available score will be the current score.
There shall be no restriction on the number of attempts to be taken by a candidate to appear in the CET subject to the upper age limit. Age relaxation for SC/ST and OBC candidates as per existing rules will apply.
NRA will conduct Mock Test and will have 24×7 helpline and grievance redressal portal.
Exam Languages: The CET will be conducted in 12 major Indian languages. This is a major change, as hitherto examinations for recruitment to Central Government jobs were held only in English and Hindi.
