Special cell in Nagpur to collect public suggestions on recruitment exam reforms

The state government has set up a high-level committee headed by an additional chief secretary to make government recruitment examinations more secure, transparent, credible and candidate-friendly, and to curb malpractice in exams. The committee will visit Niyojan Bhavan, Civil Lines, Nagpur, on September 16 at 11 am. Ahead of the visit, the administration has invited suggestions and feedback on reforms to the recruitment process.

As part of its mandate, the committee will hold discussions with students, candidates, representatives of educational institutions and other stakeholders to gather suggestions and feedback for reforms, and is visiting Nagpur for this purpose. A special cell has been set up at the Nagpur district collector's office for the visit, and will remain open for work from Wednesday, September 9, to Tuesday, September 15.

All concerned have been urged to submit their suggestions, recommendations, objections and representations in person or by email so that the state's recruitment examination system can be made more effective and transparent. Between September 9 and 15, these suggestions and feedback will be accepted at the personal assistant's cell of the nodal officer, who is also the resident deputy collector, at the Nagpur district collector's office. Those unable to come in person can send their written feedback to the email address nagpur-examreformstaskforce@maharashtra.gov.in.

Suggestions can be given on the current examinations and procedures of various state government departments, authorities and examination-conducting bodies, and on measures needed to make exams more secure, credible, fair and candidate-friendly. Views can also be shared on the effective use of technology in areas such as setting question papers, moderation, digital or printed distribution, confidential transport, management of examination centres, recording of responses, evaluation and results processing, biometric authentication, access control, audit trails and CCTV monitoring. Suggestions can also cover strict preventive measures and fixing accountability to stop paper leaks, breach of confidentiality, impersonation of candidates, collusion and misuse of electronic devices; studying successful and secure examination systems used in other states or countries for possible adoption; setting minimum standards for selection of examination centres, infrastructure, security and manpower; building a framework for coordination between the district collector's office, police, the education department and examination bodies; and creating a fast and transparent grievance redressal system for candidates.

All the suggestions and feedback received will be compiled and submitted to the state's high-level committee. The committee will study these recommendations in depth and submit a comprehensive final report to the state government. Students, candidates preparing for competitive exams, parents, teachers, educational institutions, coaching classes, those running study centres, elected representatives and citizens of the district have been urged to actively participate and submit their suggestions and feedback.