Union Cabinet gives nod to set up National Recruitment Agency to conduct Single Common Eligibility Test (CET) for railways, bank and SSC

The Union Cabinet on Wednesday gave approval for setting up of a National Recruitment Agency which aims to replace the multiple job examinations with a Common Entrance Test (CET). Union Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Prakash Javadekar said at a briefing that the new decision will benefit job seekers of the country and help in selecting candidates for different sectors. 

The CET proposal seeks to cut costs, inconvenience and time for the government, recruiting agencies and candidates

With the approval of NRA, nearly 2.5 job seekers in India who apply for multiple examinations to various government and public sector agencies will now have to appear for a single online entrance test, the Common Eligibility Test (CET) for the recruitment in railways, bank and SSC.  It will also make the process to apply for government jobs easier. 

Secretary to the government C Chandramouli said, “At present, there are more than 20 recruitment agencies currently under the Central government. Although we are taking exams of only three common agencies as of now, in course of time we will be able to have one Common Eligibility Test for all recruitment agencies in the country.” 

Major changes under the new National Recruitment Agency will be as follows

  • There will be no separate examinations but a single online CET for recruitment in non-gazetted posts in the government and public sector banks.
  • The CET scores will be valid for up to three years from the date of result declaration.
  • Each candidate will get two additional chances to improve their scores. The best out of the three scores will be considered.
  • CET merit list by the NRA will also apply for recruitment to state government jobs on a cost-sharing basis.
  • The NRA will be similar to the National Testing Agency (NTA) that conducts common entrance exams for admissions to undergraduate courses in medical and engineering colleges across India.