The Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission (JSSC) has announced the results of the physical eligibility test conducted for the recruitment of excise constables, declaring 1,48,054 candidates as successful in this crucial first round. However, the commission has kept the results of 84 candidates pending due to various unspecified reasons, creating uncertainty for these applicants.
Massive Selection Process and Tragic Incidents
The physical test, which was conducted between August and September 2024, witnessed elaborate arrangements across the state. The JSSC formed seven selection boards to carry out the extensive testing process at various locations throughout Jharkhand. The recruitment drive aims to fill 583 excise constable positions, making the competition extremely tough with thousands of applicants participating.
Tragically, the physical test process was marred by the deaths of at least 15 candidates during and shortly after the rigorous examination. The original physical test requirements mandated that male candidates complete a 10 km run within one hour, while female candidates had to run 5 km in 40 minutes. These demanding standards led to numerous health emergencies, with a large number of participants being hospitalized due to exhaustion and breathlessness following the tests conducted in August.
Government Intervention and Revised Standards
Following the unfortunate incidents and growing public concern, Chief Minister Hemant Soren intervened decisively. The CM postponed the entire selection process until September and implemented crucial safety measures. His directives included ensuring better food and drinking water facilities at all test centers to prevent dehydration and health complications.
Additionally, the administration reduced the number of candidates undergoing testing each day and scheduled the process to complete during the early morning hours when weather conditions were relatively cooler. In a compassionate gesture, the government distributed Rs 4 lakh each as compensation to the families of the deceased candidates, acknowledging the tragic loss of life during the recruitment process.
The most significant change came in the form of revised physical test standards. The government substantially modified the requirements, now mandating that male candidates cover 1600 meters in six minutes, while female candidates must complete the same distance in ten minutes. This revision aimed to balance the need for physical fitness with candidate safety and well-being.
Next Steps in Selection Process
The JSSC has provided an opportunity for candidates who appeared in the physical tests but were not selected to file their objections against the results. The commission has set December 12, 2024, as the deadline for submitting these objections, allowing unsuccessful candidates to challenge the outcome if they believe there were discrepancies in the evaluation process.
With the physical test completion, the selection process will now proceed to the written examination and medical test stages for the final selection of candidates. The physical test served as the first qualifying round in the comprehensive appointment process for excise constable positions in Jharkhand.
The massive response to this recruitment drive highlights the continuing demand for government jobs in the state, despite the challenges and risks associated with the selection process. The JSSC's announcement brings clarity to over 1.48 lakh candidates while leaving 84 applicants awaiting final decisions on their physical test outcomes.
