The Himachal Pradesh Rajya Chayan Aayog (HPRCA) is the primary recruitment body for the state government of Himachal Pradesh, headquartered in Hamirpur. Established as a successor to the abolished Himachal Pradesh Staff Selection Commission (HPSSC), the HPRCA was created to restore public trust and integrity in the state’s hiring processes following concerns over past recruitment irregularities.
When was HPRCA Established?
The HPRCA was officially established on 30 September 2023. Its formation was authorized under Article 192, read with the proviso to Article 309 of the Constitution of India.
The decision to set up this new body followed recommendations from a committee led by retired bureaucrat Deepak Sanan. This move came after the previous recruitment body, the HPSSC (originally established in 1998), was abolished on February 21, 2023, due to investigations into paper leak cases and a perceived loss of transparency and confidentiality.
What is the Work of HPRCA?
The Himachal Pradesh Rajya Chayan Aayog (HPRCA) represents a significant advancement in the recruitment landscape of the Himachal Pradesh government. Formed on September 30, 2023, the HPRCA aims to ensure a transparent and efficient recruitment process for Group-C (Class-III) services, addressing the shortcomings of its predecessor, the HPSSC. The establishment of this new body underscores the commitment to upholding integrity and confidentiality in recruitment practices, as recommended by the advisory committee led by Deepak Sanan.
- Merit-Based Selection: Identifying and selecting the most deserving candidates through impartial recruitment.
- Technology-Driven Process: Utilizing modern Information Technology (IT) tools to streamline procedures, enhance transparency, and expedite hiring.
- Transparency and Integrity: Ensuring all recruitment activities are conducted fairly to regain public confidence.
- Workforce Efficiency: Recruiting highly skilled individuals to improve government effectiveness.
Scope of Work and Exclusions
While the HPRCA handles most Group-C recruitments, certain categories and departments are excluded from its purview:
HPRCA recruits for most Group-C (Class-III) Services, including positions like Assistant Staff Nurses, Junior Office Assistants (JOA), Steno Typists, Patwari (Job-Trainee), and Special Educators.
However, some positions are excluded from HPRCA’s purview:
- Posts for the High Court of Himachal Pradesh and the Himachal Pradesh Vidhan Sabha (State Assembly).
- Positions for the Himachal Pradesh Public Service Commission (HPPSC).
- 50% of Class-III posts filled through batch-wise recruitment, such as Junior Basic Trained (JBT) Teachers and PWD Surveyor posts.
Operational Procedures
The Aayog functions under the direction of the Department of Personnel and operates with a focus on online processes. Departments submit requisitions online, and candidates apply through a dedicated portal using a Single Sign-On (SSO) profile. The HPRCA uses Computer-Based Testing (CBT) and provides practice links for candidates. A help desk at the Hamirpur headquarters assists candidates with queries. The body is currently chaired by Rajiv Kumar and follows the Himachal Pradesh Rajya Chayan Aayog, Hamirpur (Business and Procedure) Rules, 2024.