New Delhi: Central Government has issued an order exempting women candidatesfrom paying the entrance exam fee, while appearing for competitive exams conducted by Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) and Staff Selection Commission (SSC). The step is taken in order to increase participation of women in central government jobs. Moreover, the government also has asked recruiting agencies, like UPSC and SSC, to make this clear in all advertisements to be released for this purpose.
According to a statement made by senior ministry official, the idea is to increase the number of women in central government jobs, from existing 7.52% to at least 15%-20% of total strength of workforce, in the next couple of years. It is supposed that the presence of women members in various selection committees will ensure sensitivity towards finding more and more women for government jobs, proportionate with their educational qualification.
The decision was notified by the ministry of personnel on July 15, a week after the government made it compulsory for employment panels to keep at least one woman member in the Board. This is done so that these agencies could endeavor to have a workforce which reflects gender balance in the central government jobs. Moreover, the ministry of personnel, on July 8, had issued guidelines, asking all central government departments and recruitment bodies to guarantee better participation of women members on various CommitteesBoards concerned with appointments to various posts.
