RRB NTPC 2021: RRBs releases FAQs; protesters block roads in Bihar Bandh

Railway Recruitment Boards (RRBs) have released Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs), to resolve issues raised by job aspirants over alleged irregularities in RRB NTPC and RRB Group D 2021 recruitments. The FAQs have been released to explain the recruitment procedure, ways to file grievances, formation of high power committee and many more.

On the other hand, student union on January 28 observed Bihar Bandh over the alleged irregularities in the RRB Group D and RRB NTPC exams. Protesters blocked roads in Patna and other places in the state.

In the FAQ notice, it is mentioned that since 2018, RRBs have notified 2.85 lakh vacancies and have given appointments to more than 1.32 lakh candidates. RRRs have conducted CBTs for about four crore candidates in last three and half years despite COVID 19 pandemic.

Addressing questions over the two stages of the CBT, RRBs said that it was done to make the process fair.  “In case the number of candidates who have applied against the notification are large and are more than one crore, then it is advisable to conduct CBT in two stages with first being used to screen candidates and the second conducted with limited candidates so that extensive normalisation is not involved and the final merit is more just and fair,” the notice reads.

Check here FAQs-https://www.rrbkolkata.gov.in/file/FAQs on Recruitment Process.pdf

Check here-https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetail.aspx?PRID=1793259

Addressing the concern raised by students that shortlisting should be done for seven lakh candidates and not seven lakh roll numbers, RRB notice reads, “Nowhere was it mentioned that seven lakh distinct candidates will get shortlisted for second stage CBT. Since a second stage consists of CBT of five different levels and a candidate can be shortlisted for more than one level as per eligibility, merit and option, the lists of seven lakh roll numbers will have some names appearing in more than one list.”

Regarding the concern raised by students that shortlisting has been done only four to five times the notified vacancies, RRBs said, “Shortlisting has been done level or post-wise at the rate of twenty times notified vacancies. The lists contain close to 7.05 lakh roll numbers which are 20 times of the 35,281 notified vacancies. Finally, 35,281 distinct candidates will be selected and one candidate will be appointed against only one post depending upon merit and preference. Hence no post will remain vacant.”

Responding to claims that graduate candidates are getting the undue benefit of becoming eligible for both graduate and 10+2 level posts, the Railways said the integration of recruitments for Graduate and 10+2 level posts have been done to save time, energy and effort which has been proved useful during COVID-19 pandemic. Standards of CBT 1 have been kept at 10+2 level so as not to put disadvantage to 10+2 level students and it is only in CBT 2 that standards will be different across levels.

Addressing the concern of protesting candidates, Railways have formed a high-power committee comprising senior officials has been formed to look into the concerns and doubts raised by candidates regarding the results of first stage CBT of NTPC exam without affecting existing shortlisted candidates and introduction of second stage CBT.

Regarding delay in the recruitment process, RRBs have said that the recruitment process has got delayed due to COVID-19 pandemic since March 2020 and various restrictions imposed on that account by various states. The capacity that can be utilized for CBT has also got impacted because of social distancing norms leading to increase in number of shifts. The first stage CBT of RRB NTPC was conducted in 133 shifts.

Read More:

• RRB NTPC & RRB Group D 2021 Latest Updates

• RRB NTPC 2021 Exam: How to submit grievances