From 2021, CET for bank, railway and Central government jobs

From the year 2021, applicants seeking jobs in banks, railways and lower levels of Central Government will only need to appear for a common eligibility test (CET). This is being done to streamline the hiring process for government agencies as well as the 2.5 crore candidates who apply each year. The Centre is going to establish an independent National Recruitment Agency (NRA) to hold this online test. It aims at offering a level playing field for all candidates by deleting the hurdles involved in sitting for numerous examinations. As the exam dates for 2020 have already been declared (for the prevailing individual exams), so this will be effected from 2021.

The CET will take place for the first level exams held by the Staff Selection Commission (SSC), the Railway Recruitment Board (RRB) and the Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS). As of now, there are approximately 1.25 lakh vacant posts in the Central government, at the Group B and C level.

Common platform

As a part of the new NRA system, candidates will register through a common registration portal, giving a single entrance fee. They will prepare for a common curriculum. In each district, examination centres will be established. The Centre is likely to invest in the essential infrastructure for 117 willing districts. With numerous questions of similar difficulty levels, a standardised question bank will be formed in a central server. Scores will be marked rapidly, provided online and will have validity for a three-year period. Students can write the test numerous times as long as they are within the permissible eligible age limit, with their best score being considered.

Eventually, the target is to permit examination by appointment at the suitability of candidates. However, for the time being, the examination will be conducted once a year.

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