New Delhi, Dec.17 (ANI): Government of India has decided that there will be no interview for appointment to junior posts in the Central Government from 1st January, next year.

Responding to a question in the Rajya Sabha today, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER), MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh stated that by December 31 this year, Government will dispense with and discontinue interviews for all Group C and Non-Gazetted Group B category posts in Central Government. However, if some department considers interview absolutely necessary for appointment to any specific post, then in that case, clearance will have to be sought from the Department of Personnel and Training (DOPT), he added.

Dr Jitendra Singh further stated that the State Governments had also been requested on 4th September and again on 29th September to undertake a similar exercise in their respective States in consultation with the State Public Service Commissions or other recruitment agencies to identify such junior level posts where the interviews can be discontinued. In addition, he recalled that the issue was discussed during a meeting held on 8th September 2015 with representatives of State Governments and later, a one-day workshop was organised on 16th November in which Secretaries of General Administration Department (GAD)/Personnel from different States participated.

Pertinent to mention that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had, during his Independence Day address from the ramparts of Red Fort, suggested that interviews should be abolished for appointment to such posts where it was not required. Taking the cue, the Department of Personnel & Training (DoPT) immediately followed it up and Dr Jitendra Singh also wrote personal DO letters to Chief Ministers of all the States requesting them to take a lead in carrying forward this initiative.

DoPT was of the opinion that in Central Government as well as in State Government departments, interview should be forthrightly abolished for appointment to such posts where it was not required as this would help in overcoming the inconvenience and harassment faced by several young aspirants. In addition, this move will also provide a level playing field for all aspirants, regardless of their socio-economic status or background which, in turn, would ensure equality and transparency in the process of appointments. (ANI)