Army to introduce biometric mapping for recruitments: Lt Gen Balbir Pama

CHANDIGARH: The recruitment procedure for jawans in Indian Army is set for a drastic change as the Army's recruiting directorate has proposed to introduce biometric mapping of candidates during the selection process, to put an end to impersonation cases.

According to Army's director general (recruiting) Lt Gen Balbir Pama, candidates appearing for selection process for soldier posts would be mapped through the biometric system in all stages of recruitment. Verification of the candidate would be conducted during medical examination, review of medical examination at the military hospitals and till he joins the regimental centre for training, he said.

Pama, who was in Ambala on Monday to review the recruitment rally, said that the directorate was also working on introducing computer-based entrance test for selection of jawans, where the written test would be conducted with the help of computers to ensure transparency and timely completion of the process.

"The decision has been taken following a large number of complaints regarding involvement of touts influencing the selection process and complaints regarding candidates adopting unfair means during recruitment," Pama added.

Asked about the deadline for introducing the system, Pama said the process was in pipeline and expected to be implemented in the next training calendar.

Recruitment in the Army is carried out throughout the year through an open rally system that consists of seven phases starting from checking of documents, physical, medical and written examination to enrolment and despatch of selected candidates to training centres.

The recruiting directorate has also reduced the maximum timings for the 1.6 km run from 6.20 minutes to six minutes for soldiers. Timings for all other categories of jawans would remain the same as earlier.