New government site: Single portal being planned for UPSC, SSC, RRB exams to simplify applications and avoid exam date clashes

The Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) is working on a unified portal aimed at making it easier for government job aspirants to manage applications and examination schedules across multiple recruitment agencies.

The proposed platform is expected to bring notifications for exams conducted by agencies such as the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), Staff Selection Commission (SSC) and Railway Recruitment Board (RRB) onto a single platform. State government recruitment boards could also be included.

The portal is also being planned with an integrated examination calendar designed to minimise clashes between recruitment tests conducted by different agencies.

One-Time Registration For Government Job Applications

Under the proposed system, candidates would be able to register once and use their details while applying for different government recruitment exams listed on the portal.

Sources in the Ministry of Personnel said discussions over the platform are at an advanced stage. Central recruitment bodies including UPSC, SSC, RRB, Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS), Public Enterprises Selection Board (PESB) and National Recruitment Agency (NRA), along with various state governments, have reportedly been approached to participate.

“Modalities of the proposed unified portal are still being worked out; it may take final shape in a month or so," a senior DoPT official told TOI.

Aadhaar, Photo And Signature Details To Be Uploaded Once

Candidates would reportedly need to complete a one-time registration (OTR) by providing personal information such as their mobile number, email address and Aadhaar ID. They would also upload their photograph and signature during the registration process.

Once registered, the candidate's details, photograph and signature would automatically appear when they apply for any government recruitment notified through the portal. The information would be authenticated by the relevant issuing agencies, including the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI).

Integrated Calendar To Help Avoid Exam Date Clashes

Since many government job aspirants apply for examinations conducted by several recruitment bodies, the proposed portal would coordinate examination schedules and publish a consolidated calendar.

The objective would be to reduce instances where major recruitment examinations are scheduled on the same date. Candidates would also be able to receive updates about postponements, delays or other changes to examination schedules through notifications on the portal.

Plan Comes After Recruitment Exam Disruptions

The proposal comes after several disruptions affected recruitment examinations earlier this year.

The Civil Services Examination notification, for instance, was deferred on February 4, with administrative reasons cited for the delay. The Departmental Competitive Examination for postal and sorting assistants was also postponed by a week to June 28 after its schedule clashed with the revised NEET-UG dates.

The SSC also cancelled or rescheduled examinations at some centres following technical problems.

[With TOI inputs]