Itanagar, Aug 13: The Arunachal Pradesh Cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister Pema Khandu, on Thursday approved uniform eligibility criteria for direct recruitment through competitive examinations to all Group ‘A’, ‘B’ and ‘C’ services and posts under the state government.
The decision will apply to posts and services under state government departments, Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs), autonomous bodies and local and urban bodies, among others. The new eligibility provisions will have immediate effect for all Recruitment Rules and Service Rules governing Group ‘A’, ‘B’ and ‘C’ posts and their equivalents.
Under the approved criteria, candidates seeking direct recruitment will have to fulfil three mandatory conditions relating to permanent residence, Indigenous/APST status and proficiency in an Indigenous tribal language of Arunachal Pradesh.
Candidates must be Indian citizens and inhabitants of Arunachal Pradesh possessing a valid Permanent Residence Certificate (PRC) issued by the competent authority. They must also be original inhabitants of the state and possess an Arunachal Pradesh Scheduled Tribe (APST) certificate, in accordance with the list of tribes notified by the Government of India under the Constitution (Scheduled Tribes) Order, 1950, as amended from time to time.
In addition, candidates will be required to speak any one of the indigenous tribal languages of Arunachal Pradesh included in the notified list.
The state's premier job recruiting bodies, Arunachal Pradesh Public Service Commission (APPSC) and Arunachal Pradesh Staff Selection Board (APSSB), have been directed to incorporate the eligibility clauses, along with the post-joining language test mechanism, in all future recruitment advertisements and rules.
Other key decisions
In the Education Department, the Cabinet approved a one-time relaxation of two years in the minimum qualifying service/residency period prescribed under the Recruitment Rules, 2010, for promotion to the post of Principal/DDSE.
The qualifying service has been reduced from eight years to six years for promotion of Headmasters/Vice Principals and District Adult Education Officers (DAEOs) to the post of Principal/DDSE. The decision is aimed at facilitating the filling of existing vacancies of Principals in Government Higher Secondary Schools and strengthening academic and administrative performance.
The Cabinet also approved the redesignation of Forester as Deputy Forest Ranger (Special Grade) to recognise the long-standing services and commitment of frontline forest personnel and motivate them in the discharge of their duties.
The council of ministers also approved the Draft Arunachal Pradesh Industrial Development Area Bill, 2026 for introduction and enactment by the Arunachal Pradesh Legislative Assembly. The proposed legislation seeks to establish a statutory framework for the planned development, management and maintenance of Industrial Development Areas in the state.
The Cabinet further approved amendments to the Senior Statistical Assistant Recruitment Rules, 2000 under the Department of Agriculture. The amendments seek to incorporate changes made through government orders and notifications and address recommendations relating to pay scale, age, qualifications, method of recruitment, composition of the Departmental Promotion Committee and consultation with the APPSC.
A one-time relaxation of qualifying service for promotion from Executive Engineer (EE) to Superintending Engineer (SE) in the Public Works Department was also approved. The move is aimed at addressing the acute shortage of Superintending Engineers and filling vacancies that have affected cadre management, project supervision and timely implementation of infrastructure projects.
The Cabinet also approved shifting the existing Rupa Highway Division of the PWD to Nafra in Bichom district and its redesignation as the Nafra PWD Division. The decision follows the transfer of Frontier Highway works from the PWD to NHIDCL/BRO and is intended to strengthen administrative infrastructure in the newly created Bichom district.
Amendments to the Recruitment Rules for Field Publicity Assistant (FPA) under the Directorate of Information and Public Relations were also approved to rationalise existing provisions and strengthen field-level public communication mechanisms.
To address the manpower gap in the Directorate of Sericulture, the Cabinet approved the creation of one post of Deputy Director of Sericulture under the Sericulture Department.