TV
The Odisha government is preparing to reintroduce application and examination fees for candidates appearing in recruitment tests conducted by public service commissions and selection boards in the state.
According to The New Indian Express, the move comes over two years after the state scrapped all such fees in a bid to make government jobs more accessible to all sections of society.
This time, however, the model includes a conditional refund with a provision that candidates who appear for the exam will get their fees back, while absentees will forfeit the amount.
Such an arrangement is being done to deter ‘non-serious’ applicants and help reduce the logistical burden and cost of holding exams across the state.
Consultations Underway with Key Recruitment Bodies
A formal communication was sent by the General Administration and Public Grievance department on June 20 to the Odisha Public Service Commission (OPSC), Odisha Staff Selection Commission (OSSC), and Odisha Subordinate Staff Selection Commission (OSSSC), seeking feedback on the proposed structure and a viable refund mechanism.
The proposal follows a high-level meeting chaired by Chief Secretary Manoj Ahuja, where it was discussed that filtering out non-committed candidates could significantly reduce absenteeism, as per the TNIE report.
Vacant seats in exam halls not only waste resources but also increase unnecessary infrastructure costs.
Previous Fee Waiver Policy Had Widespread Support
In April 2022, the Odisha government abolished application fees for all recruitment exams across categories, a decision welcomed for reducing barriers to public employment. The waiver was seen as a progressive step in levelling the playing field for aspirants from all socio-economic backgrounds.
However, recent reports suggest that despite the waiver, absenteeism remained high across several exams.
In response, the state earlier this week reiterated that candidates who appeared for recent exams conducted by OPSC, OSSC, and OSSSC would still receive fee refunds.
