ITANAGAR, Sep 23: Chief Minister Pema Khandu on Wednesday described the establishment of the Arunachal Pradesh Staff Selection Board (APSSB) as a landmark reform in the state’s public recruitment system, aimed at ensuring transparency, fairness and equal opportunity for candidates.
Khandu made the remark while inaugurating a newly added Conference Hall at the APSSB office premises here. He said the creation of a dedicated recruitment institution was intended to replace the earlier system under which individual departments conducted recruitment for various posts.
The Chief Minister said the earlier decentralised system, despite departments having their own requirements and procedures, could lead to inconsistencies and concerns over fairness and external influence. The creation of APSSB was therefore aimed at providing an equal playing field to candidates irrespective of their social or political background.
He said the reform was conceived after he assumed office in 2016 and was deliberately institutionalised through legislation rather than being implemented merely through an executive or Cabinet order. The APSSB was established under the Arunachal Pradesh Staff Selection Board Act, 2018 (Act No. 14 of 2018).
“I still believe that the reform we brought into the recruitment system by creating the Arunachal Pradesh Staff Selection Board is historic in itself. Perhaps we do not realise its significance fully today, but in the years to come we will understand it much better,” Khandu said.
Highlighting the Board’s achievements, he said APSSB has conducted 38 examinations since beginning its recruitment process in 2019 and recommended 5,836 candidates for appointment against various vacancies. The 39th examination, the Common Higher Secondary Level Examination (CHSLE) 2026, is currently underway.
Khandu said APSSB has emerged as the principal recruitment channel for Group C and D posts, while recruitment to Group A and B posts is undertaken through the Arunachal Pradesh Public Service Commission (APPSC). He also noted that APSSB is an ISO-certified organisation.
According to the Chief Minister, the impact of the recruitment reform extends beyond the selection of candidates. He said the system has encouraged young people to recognise that securing government employment requires preparation, study and hard work, thereby creating a healthy competitive environment among aspiring candidates.
He also highlighted government initiatives to create better pathways for Arunachali youth preparing for higher-level competitive examinations. Referring to the introduction of the CSET preparation framework, Khandu said the initiative was developed after consultations with experienced civil servants and an assessment of the difficulties faced by candidates from the state in transitioning from state-level examinations to UPSC examinations.
He said the intervention had subsequently helped more Arunachali candidates qualify for All India Services and Group A services through the Union Public Service Commission.
Khandu further said APSSB is increasingly becoming a stepping stone for young government employees aspiring to higher services, with some recruits subsequently appearing for APPSC and other competitive examinations.
He also said the government had accepted a proposal of the Board to increase the weightage and duration of relevant experience for career progression. The move, he said, would help reduce repeated disruption in the recruitment cycle.
“The workforce that will come into the Arunachal government in the coming years will be a very strong workforce. The young people joining through the Staff Selection Board are brilliant, digitally equipped and part of a new generation,” he said.
Emphasising the need to strengthen the Board’s institutional capacity, the Chief Minister said APSSB would have to handle an increasing recruitment workload as new posts are created across government departments.
He directed the Chief Secretary to immediately examine the requirement for dedicated infrastructure for APSSB, including the possibility of shifting the existing establishment if necessary. He also stressed the need for adequate technical manpower and staff support to enable the Board to effectively discharge its responsibilities.
Khandu said the growing number of government posts would require the recruitment system to be equipped with appropriate infrastructure, personnel and technology.
“There can be no compromise when it comes to the Public Service Commission and the Staff Selection Board. Strengthening these two institutions is the responsibility of the government,” he said.