Andhra Pradesh - Vijayawada   

Army to introduce biometric system in recruitment

VIJAYAWADA: The Indian Army is contemplating to introduce biometric system in the recruitment process shortly. The Army is toying with the idea to put an end to the problem of possible impersonation and malpractices in the recruitment process, said Ravi Varman, Deputy Director General (Recruiting) of the Chennai Recruitment Zone.

The biometric system would help in preventing impersonation during physical tests. Sometimes, it happened that physical tests were attended by persons other than the actual candidates. Such malpractices could be minimised with the proposed biometric system, he explained.

The Army has also introduced psychological tests for all posts on “trial basis” from the current year. Until now, these tests were being conducted only for the posts of officers. Depending on the results of these tests, the Army would decide whether to continue with the tests.

About the response to recruitment rallies in Andhra Pradesh, Brigadier Varman says that though the State Government is giving a lot of importance to these rallies, the aspirants are not completely aware of the opportunities available for a career in the armed forces.

They are unaware of the fact that candidates with +2 or equivalent qualification could appear for the National Defence Academy (NDA) examination, he said.

The aspiring candidates are unable to clear physical tests like the 1.6 km qualifying run within the prescribed time limit.

Citing the example of the week-long recruitment rally conducted here, Brigadier Varman said while 10,000 candidates had tested their luck, only 2,500 could clear all the preliminary tests. Inability to meet the Army’s requirements of height and chest expansion are some of the common problems candidates encounter in the rallies conducted in the State.

“Lack of physical activity in schools is hindering the attainment of the height required for the defence forces. Schools should encourage sports, particularly outdoor games,” he feels.

Brigadier Varman opines that the State Government should make it mandatory to publish the eligibility criterion for entry into armed forces on the backside of notebooks and text books, so that students can have a fair idea of what they should do to join the armed forces.

Pointing out that many candidates who completed vocational courses were missing the bus as the army looks for candidates with only +2 or equivalent qualification, he feels that the Government should take necessary steps to treat vocational courses on a par with +2 examination.

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