What is National Recruitment Agency (NRA) ?

NRA CET 2020 : The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has decided to set up a National Recruitment Agency (NRA). The proposed NRA will conduct a common preliminary examination for various recruitments in the central government. NRA CET FAQs

Why is the NRA needed?

As of now, aspirants have to take different exams that are conducted by various agencies for central government jobs. According to C Chandramouli, Secretary, Department of Personnel and Training, on an average 2.5 crore to 3 crore aspirants appear for about 1.25 lakh vacancies in the central government every year.

As and when it will be set up, the NRA will conduct a common eligibility test (CET) and based on the CET score a candidate can apply for a vacancy with the respective agency.

Initially, it will organise a CET to screen/shortlist candidates for the Group B and C (non -technical) posts, which are now being conducted by the Staff Selection Commission (SSC), Railways Recruitment Board (SSC) and Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS). Later on, more exams may be brought under it.

The agency will have representatives from SSC, IBPS and RRB. The test will be conducted for three levels: graduate, higher secondary (12th pass) and the matriculate (10th pass) candidates. However, the present recruitment agencies– IBPS, RRB and SCC — will remain in place. Based on the screening done at the CET score level, final selection for recruitment shall be made through separate specialised Tiers (II, III, etc.) of examination which shall be conducted by the respective recruitment agencies. The curriculum for CET would be common.

What is National Recruitment Agency (NRA) ?

How long will the CET score be valid?

The CET score of a candidate shall be valid for a period of three years from the date of declaration of the result. The best of the valid scores shall be deemed to be the current score of the candidate. While there will be no restriction on the number of attempts to be taken by a candidate to appear in the CET, it will be subject to the upper age limit. However, the relaxation in the upper age limit shall be given to candidates of SC/ST/OBC and other categories as per the extant policy of the Government.

What will be the medium of CET?

The CET will be conducted in multiple languages. According to Minister of DoPT Jitendra Singh, the exam will be conducted in 12 languages that are in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution of India.

How much money will be spent on the NRA?

Initially, the Union Cabinet has approved an amount of Rs 1517.57 crore for the NRA, for a period of 3 years. The money will be used for setting up of NRA, and examination centres in ‘aspirational districts’.

Here’s all you need to know about the new government decision:-

1. Examination centres in rural districts of the country would help students living in far-off areas get access to the entrance examination. Students will benefits in terms of expenditure, effort and safety.

2. It will also motivate rural candidates to take the examination and hence increase their chances of getting a Central government job.

3. Currently, candidates have to appear in multiple examinations conducted by multiple agencies. Apart from the examination fees, candidates have to spend additionally on travel, boarding, lodging and a lot more. A single examination would reduce the financial burden on candidates to a large extent.

4. Women candidates from rural areas go through a number of hardships in appearing for multiple examinations since they have to arrange transport and also find accommodation in places that are far away. The location of test centres in every district would help such women candidates from rural areas.

5. The CET score of the candidate shall be valid for a period of three years from the date of declaration of the result. The best of the valid scores shall be deemed to be the current score of the candidate.

6. There shall be no restriction on the number of attempts made by a candidate to appear in the CET subject to the upper age limit.

7. Relaxation in the upper age limit shall be given to candidates of SC/ST/OBC and other categories according to the existing policy of the government.

8. The National Recruitment Agency shall conduct a separate CET each for the three levels of graduation, higher secondary and the Class X board examinations for candidates for those non-technical posts to which recruitment is now carried out by the Staff Selection Commission (SSC), the Railway Recruitment Boards (RRBs) and by the Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS).

9. Based on the screening done at the CET score level, a final selection for recruitment shall be made through separate specialised Tiers (II, III etc) of examination which shall be conducted by the respective recruitment agencies.

11. Candidates will soon have the facility of registering on a common portal and given a choice of examination centres. Based on availability, they would be allotted centres.

12. The NRA will also work towards a stage wherein a candidate can schedule his or her own test at an examination centre of his or her choice.