National Recruitment agency

Last year, the central government decided to set up a common recruitment body called National Recruitment Agency (NRA).
The Agency aims to conduct a single online ‘Common Eligibility Test’ or CET, the scores of which will be used for various central government recruitment.
Initially, the Agency will conduct exams for Group B and C (non-technical) posts. There is a proposal to expand the purview of the exams.
Currently, the Group B and C recruitment is done by Staff Selection Commission (SSC), Railway Recruitment Board (RRB), and Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS).

NRA will conduct a common preliminary exam and based on the scores received by the candidates, IBPS, SSC and RRB will conduct the Tier II and Tier III examinations. This means that these agencies will remain in place; however, the preliminary exams will be conducted by the NRA.
NRA aims to conduct separate exams for graduate candidates, 12th pass candidates, and 10th pass candidates. The scores received in these exams will be valid for 3 years which can be used to apply for Tier II recruitment.
There is no restriction on the number attempts a candidate can make but there will be an upper age limit for candidates. The best valid score will be considered as the current score.
Initially candidates will have an option to appear for the exams in 12 languages. There are plans to expand the number of languages in which the exam will be conducted in the future.
The examination will be conducted based on a common curriculum.
Special focus would be given on creating examination infrastructure in the Aspirational Districts.

As of now, aspirants have to take different exams that are conducted by various agencies for central government jobs. Currently, around 2.5 crore candidates appear for these exams for around 1.25 lakh vacancies.
The Agency aims to streamline the process of recruitment for various central government positions.
NRA will have representatives from the Ministry of Railways, Ministry of Finance/Department of Financial Services, the SSC, RRB & IBPS.

Candidates applying for these recruitments will no longer have to pay repetitive fees to multiple agencies.
The CET score would be generated immediately and shall be made available for both the candidate and the recruitment agency. This would help in ensuring better transparency.
Every district across states will have at least one CET exam centre to help disadvantageous sections, rural candidates and women.
The exam will be conducted twice a year, for different educational levels and in multiple Indian languages.

Reduction in cost of conducting the examination.
Better Transparency- Currently, the recruitment cycle takes at least 18 months and is often marred by clashing dates, leaked papers and examination scams.
Standardized exam pattern
Faster recruitment cycle

Government has dismissed the fake news circulated in social media that the National Recruitment Agency has announced direct recruitment for more than 8 lakh posts without any examination.

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