KSU demands Govt to allow PET qualified candidates to appear for written examination for vacancies in Meghalaya police

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaFebruary 19, 2025

The Khasi Students’ Union (KSU) on Wednesday sought the intervention of the state’s Director General of Police (DGP) Iadashisha Nongrang for reviewing the December 1, 2023-office memorandum by allowing all candidates who passed the physical efficiency test (PET) to appear for written examination instead of basing it on the ratio of 1:20 against the total vacancy.

In a letter submitted to Nongrang during a meeting, chairman of the KSU employment cell Rueben Najiar said, “(We) request you to review the Office Memorandum of Home (Police) Department, Government of Meghalaya dated 1st of December, 2023 bearing No. HPL.231/2023/60. That the crux of contention that the Union would like to express is laid down in Para. 18.1 which states that, “The total number of candidates to be called for Written Examination shall be 20 (twenty) times the total number of vacancies belonging to each category of candidates, based on the Reservation Policy of the State Government.”

“The Union is of the view that written examinations should be allowed to all the candidates who have passed the Physical Efficiency Test (PET) and should not be based on the ratio of 1:20 against the total vacancy. Such kind of pre-determined system might prioritize filling of quota over selecting the most qualified candidate and this can lead to suboptimal outcomes as the best talent might be overlooked in favour of meeting the pre-defined ratio. The fixed ratio of 1:20 may not be suitable and ideal for all situations and post(s) that have been advertised as different posts under the police requires a different skill set,” he stated.

He said that the Union agrees with the fact that PET is very necessary under the police department but at the same time other attributes are also to be looked upon.

“Based on this memorandum written examination marks and PET marks are different and plays a crucial role for selection as for the post as for example for the post of UB Constable, total marks in PET is 100 and written examination is 300, thus if a person who just qualify a qualifying marks for PET may still be selected for personal interview if he/she does well in written examination and the fact that more emphasis is made on the written examination for this post states the fact that selection is much preferred based on the knowledge and skills, thus shortlisting the candidates in 1:20 ratio from PET seems illogical.”

Najiar further stated that based on the advertisement dated 6th of March, 2024, a total of 2968 posts have been advertised under different categories and PET has been conducted by the appropriate authorities in the previous months.

“The Union would like to express that the rate of unemployment in the State is very high and the expectations of the youths when such numbers of posts are advertised is beyond measure and not letting them have the opportunity to be employed even after they have qualified the PET is a little cruel and discouraging. The Union would like to humbly request that opportunities must be given to all the candidates who have qualified the PET examination to be able to write the written examination for a thorough selection process,” he added.