In a significant move to accelerate government hiring processes, the Odisha state cabinet has given its approval for major changes in recruitment rules that will now allow the Staff Selection Commission (SSC) to conduct recruitment drives twice every year instead of the current single annual cycle.
Cabinet Nod for Faster Recruitment Process
The decision was taken during a cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Monday. The council of ministers cleared amendments to the rules governing the Combined Graduate Level Recruitment Examination for Group B and Group C posts, marking a substantial shift from the existing Service Rules of 2022.
Under the previous system, the SSC advertised vacancies only once per year. However, with the revised provisions, the commission can now issue a second advertisement within the same year if the government sends requisitions for additional positions, according to an official government statement.
Expansion of Eligible Posts and Employment Targets
The cabinet also approved another crucial amendment that brings four more types of posts under the combined graduate level recruitment examination. This expansion increases the total number of such posts to 24 different categories, widening the scope of employment opportunities for graduate candidates across various government departments.
Government sources revealed that this initiative is part of a larger plan to fill over 96,000 vacancies across multiple departments. Since the BJP government assumed power in Odisha, significant progress has already been made with more than 28,000 posts filled to date.
The current administration has set an ambitious target to recruit 85,000 individuals within the next two years, which would substantially surpass the BJP's election manifesto promise of providing 65,000 government jobs.
Supplementary Budget for Development Schemes
In parallel developments, the council of ministers also approved a substantial Rs 10,000 crore supplementary budget that will be presented in the assembly on November 28 during the winter session, scheduled to commence from November 27.
This additional budgetary allocation will primarily fund ongoing flagship schemes across critical sectors including healthcare, education, social security, and urban infrastructure development. The main budget for the fiscal year 2025-26 already features an impressive outlay of Rs 2.90 lakh crore, indicating the government's commitment to comprehensive development initiatives.
The combination of accelerated recruitment processes and substantial budget allocations signals the state government's focused approach toward both employment generation and infrastructure development, addressing two critical aspects of Odisha's growth trajectory simultaneously.
