The Rajasthan Staff Selection Board (RSSB) is aiming to give a new-life to Rajasthan General Knowledge (GK) in the recruitment of fourth-grade employees. For months, there has been speculation and related demands from the job aspirants, which are now backed by the board’s decision. An official announcement is imminent after Tuesday’s main meeting. While the board’s move to enhance GK weightage is acknowledged, the percentage is not revealed yet, as the final verdict is expected to be announced soon. The move is being remarked upon as a powerful incentive for more than 20 lakh youths vying for the 53,749 posts in this massive recruitment drive.
Candidates for the Rajasthan Administrative Service Exam had always maintained that more emphasis up to 50 percent should be laid on Rajasthan General Knowledge. Therefore, the decision is taken under prolonged pressure exerted by candidates. The chairman of the board, Alok Raj, has announced that the change is being made, while the details will be shared soon. The timing of the announcement is of utmost importance, considering that online applications began on March 21 and the last date is April 19. Increased emphasis on local knowledge is likely to make the contest fairer for the Rajasthan youths, who have been vocal about their demand.
Protests Loom as Youth Demand Swift Action
Some are not really in a position to wait. Hanuman Kisan, president of the Rajasthan Unemployed Union, gives the government an ultimatum: a hunger strike will be entered on April 14 outside the RSSB office if there is no announcement concerning the weightage hike by April 10. Kisan said, “We have met the ministers, the MLAs, everyone—we can’t postpone any longer,” indicating a storm brewing in case the board is delayed. The grousing of the union resonates with a larger pulse among unemployed youth fervently demanding clarity.
Upen Yadav, a former president of the Rajasthan Unemployed Integrated Federation, added his voice to the cries for justice, approaching the bureaucracy with a memorandum that was submitted to the top officials on Tuesday. Stiff competition is bound to arise, with an estimated 20 lakh applications expected. For now, the RSSB acts as the focus, racing against time and tempers to ensure the promised changes are put in motion. Dainik Bhaskar
