No interviews: PSBs to strengthen exam for clerical posts

This follows PM Modi's recent directive that there was no need for holding interviews for lower level posts

Finance Ministry has asked Public Sector Banks (PSBs) to strengthen written examination for recruitment of clerical and sub-staff posts as there will be no interviews for such appointments. 

The decision to change the recruitment process follows Prime Minister Narendra Modi's directive that there was no need for holding interviews for lower level posts. 

"PSBs may explore other alternatives to strengthen written examination such as by including psychometric tests, etc. to replace interview mechanism," the Department of Financial Services said in a communication to Chief Executives of all the 27 state-owned banks. 

The PSBs were asked to take "necessary action" to discontinue interviews in the recruitment process for the clerical and sub-staff posts by December 31, 2015. The Committee of Secretaries chaired by Cabinet Secretary in its meeting held on November 13 had recommended discontinuation of interviews in PSBs for junior level posts. 

Modi had announced that from January 1, 2016 there would be no interviews for central government jobs in Class-III and IV categories. He had termed it as a "New Year Gift" to the youth and a major step to curb corruption. 

Recently, the Department of Personnel and Training had said that skill test or physical test may continue as it is different from interview. "However, these tests will only be of qualifying nature. Assessment will not be done on the basis of marks for such tests," it had said. 

In case of specific posts where a ministry or department wants to continue with interview as a process of recruitment, a detailed proposal seeking exemption has to be sent to the DoPT with the approval of the minister or minister in-charge. 

The ministries have been asked to send a consolidated report to the DoPT by January 7 in this regard.