Assam's Recruitment Model Gains National Attention as Other States Follow Suit

Assam's Innovative Recruitment Framework

Guwahati, Jan 10: Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced on Saturday that over 15 states are looking to adopt Assam's transparent recruitment approach, known as the Assam Direct Recruitment Examination (ADRE).

During a press conference held after distributing appointment letters to 6,182 Grade III candidates at Sarusajai Stadium, Sarma highlighted that Assam's recruitment model has garnered significant national interest, prompting various states to study and implement it.

“At a national meeting of Chief Ministers, I showcased Assam’s ADRE model. Following this, more than 15 states visited Assam to learn about its execution and have started to incorporate it into their own systems,” Sarma stated.

He noted that the model is increasingly being accepted across the country. “Many states are now following the path laid out by Assam. In time, this could become the standard recruitment framework throughout India,” he added.

Sarma explained that the government intentionally shifted from the previous APSC-centric and department-specific recruitment system, which he deemed ineffective.

“The APSC model was not suitable for us. We enacted a comprehensive law to ensure that no department independently conducts Grade III or Grade IV examinations,” he explained.

According to the new legal framework approved by the Assembly, all departments must report vacancies to the ADRE Commission, which oversees recruitment examinations centrally.

Sarma mentioned that the process has been streamlined by conducting exams based on pay scales rather than by department.

“There are three to four pay scales within Grade III. By organizing exams according to pay scale, we have simplified a previously complex process into a more efficient and transparent system,” he remarked.

The Chief Minister also revealed that the third phase of ADRE recruitment will commence after the Assam Assembly elections.

“Once Bihu celebrations conclude, election dates will be announced, and ADRE Phase III will follow,” he stated.

Sarma confirmed that the current recruitment phase is on track to conclude by February 10, which will bring the total number of regular government appointments to over 1.56 lakh in the last five years, potentially reaching 1.7 lakh soon.

“Today, we distributed appointment letters to 6,182 Grade III candidates, including 154 from the tea tribe community. Achieving over 1.56 lakh recruitments in five years without a single High Court case is a significant milestone,” he noted.

On the previous day, appointment letters were given to 4,369 Grade IV recruits under ADRE at the Jyoti–Bishnu Antarjatik Kala Mandir.

With these new appointments, the total number of individuals recruited into various Assam government departments over the past five years has reached 1,56,215, according to the Chief Minister, who clarified that this number pertains only to regular appointments.

“Additionally, there have been around 50,000 to 60,000 contractual job recruitments during this timeframe,” he added.

Among the newly appointed candidates, the Agriculture Department will see the highest intake at 1,764, followed by Panchayat and Rural Development with 799, School Education with 493, and Deputy Commissioners’ offices with 456. Other departments have fewer than 100 recruits each.

This recruitment phase marks the second significant round under ADRE. In May 2023, the government had previously distributed appointment letters to 24,787 candidates, which included 11,048 Grade III and 13,739 Grade IV recruits.