The National Recruitment Agency is a recent change or rather shift that has been made for recruitment in the government sector. The government headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has created a new pathway for recruitment. Especially for the non-technical, Group B & C posts in the Central Government. In this article, you will get a detailed information understanding of the National Recruitment Agency. Firstly, what is the NRA exactly. Secondly, the role of the NRA in the recruitment process. Thirdly, how will the NRA work and its various stages? Lastly, the various benefits of the NRA.
[speaker-mute]- What is the National Recruitment Agency (NRA)?
- Role of the National Recruitment Agency
- Benefits of the National Recruitment Agency
- Applying & Giving only One exam
- Separate CET conduction for different levels
- Exam in Multiple Languages across India
- Shortening the recruitment cycle
- Unlimited attempts
- Efficient Financial Usage
- How will the National Recruitment Agency Work?
- FAQ | Understanding of National Recruitment Agency (NRA) 2020
- COVID-19 Update | Understanding of National Recruitment Agency
What is the National Recruitment Agency (NRA)?

The National Recruitment Agency is established by the Central Government for the recruitment process. In addition to that, it was approved by the Union Cabinet on the 19th of August,2020. Furthermore, a Common Eligibility Test (CET), helps in the selection of candidates. The selected candidates are provided jobs in non-technical Group B & C posts.
Initially, the chief representatives for recruitment are from three sectors. Firstly, the Ministry of Railways (RRBs). Secondly, the Ministry of Finance/Department of Financial Services (IBPS). Lastly the Staff Selection Commission (SSC).
The NRA is focusing on state-of-art technology along with the best practices. Therefore, inculcating these in the Central Government. The NRA comes under the Societies Registration Act,1860. The CET score is the most important. The role and how will the NRA work are given below.
Role of the National Recruitment Agency
Understanding the National Recruitment Agency is easier if one knows the roles, benefits, importance, and how exactly the NRA works. The various roles of the NRA are as follows:
Exam Centers are easy accessible
Exam centers in every District of the country would greatly increase the chance. Secondly, increases access to the candidates located in remote areas of the country. The government’s focus on creating exam base centers in the 117 Districts would highly benefit the candidates. Furthermore, making the exam centers convenient and reachable ( place nearer to where they reside). The proposal will not only ease access to those coming from rural areas. But, it will also motivate the rural candidates to take the examination. Which they have never even considered previously. Moreover, this also increases their representation in Central Government. This is an extremely vital role and benefit of the NRA.
The role of the NRA is extremely important in this aspect. Easy access to jobs leads to a greater chance of availing. Most importantly, chances & benefits are for rural people. who really need it.
However, in a diverse and populated country like India, it is definitely a challenging task. After implementation, the immense benefits of the NRA can be availed. To know more about how the NRA will work, scroll down.
Providing better chances to Rural Candidates

Presently, the candidates have to appear in multiple examinations for various different agencies. Each exam has a particular registration fee. Although, it could be a small amount, for some yet it is a huge sum of money. Other than the exam fees, candidates have to make additional expenses. For instance, costs for travel, food, and accommodation in the exam center city or town. Attempting for only one exam will reduce the registration costs drastically. Applying and attempting multiple exams is not affordable to many rural students. Therefore, availing this option is beneficial for them.
Standardized Testing
CET will be for three levels. Firstly, the graduate level. Secondly, higher secondary (12th pass). Lastly, the matriculate (10th pass). Candidates will be competing for non-technical posts that of Group B & C posts. Recruitment has always been carried out by the Staff Selection Commission (Official Website). Secondly, by the Railway Recruitment Boards (RRBs), and lastly by the Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS).
The final scores of CET are required for further process. The respective recruitment agencies conduct further procedures. The syllabus for this test would be common as would be the standard. This method of standardized testing is one of the main roles of the NRA. Firstly, saving of resources takes place. In addition to that, exams are easy and conveniently given.
The testing system proves that one of the main benefits of the NRA is this. However, how the NRA will work efficiently, will be known in the future.
Benefits of the National Recruitment Agency
Applying & Giving only One exam

The NRA takes the Common Eligibility Test (CET) which is a first-level test. Therefore, aspirants need not give and apply for multiple exams in various departments and ministries. This CET score is valid for 3 years. Moreover, the NRA sends the scores to the respective departments based on the eligibility of the candidates. After this, the respective departments continue with the selection process. Basically, the CET is a common pathway for entry to various departments in the government.
Separate CET conduction for different levels
The CET exam will have a different syllabus for the tenth standard, twelfth standard & graduates. Separate conduction of exams takes place. The syllabus is common for that level. Furthermore, the screening is based on the CET score of the candidate in the preliminary round.
Exam in Multiple Languages across India
The CET can be given in multiple languages. This would greatly help people from different parts of the country to take the exam. Equal chance is a great benefit provided by the NRA.
The availability of giving the exam in a language known and convenient to the candidate is highly beneficial. This boosts confidence in the aspirants wanting to get a government job. Furthermore, the NRA has opened a gateway for those people who have missed opportunities like these only due to the language barrier. This is another significant role & benefit that really helps those who are not fluent in English.
Shortening the recruitment cycle

A single eligibility test would greatly reduce the lengthy selection procedure. Some Departments have indicated their intention to get rid of any second-level test. Therefore, they will directly take CET scores into consideration and take further medical & physical tests as per requirement. This would greatly reduce the cycle and benefit a large section of people & youth across India.
In India, every competitive exam has a lengthy selection procedure. Excessive documents & in addition to that, a long duration of time passes by waiting for results. As we all say time is precious, this NRA system of recruitment saves a lot of time. Especially benefitting both, firstly, the government & private departments planning on recruiting candidates. Secondly, the aspiring candidates themselves, who have been patiently waiting for their results.
Unlimited attempts
The Common Eligibility Test (CET) is valid for three years. In addition to that, there is no hindrance to the number of attempts an individual can give. The test score is applicable for three years.
There is the availability of any number of attempts, but there is an upper age limit for the test. In other words, there is an age limit for the exam. For the SC/ST/OBC and reservation categories, there is relaxation in the upper age limit. This is as per the rules & policies of the Government
Efficient Financial Usage

The Government has provided a sum of Rs. 1517.57 crore for the NRA. The expenditure is over a span of three years. Other than setting up the NRA, costs & expenditure for setting up exam infrastructure in the 117 Aspirational Districts are considered.
The NRA is something like a one-time investment from the Government’s side. Competitive exams are conducted every year. There is a high requirement for staff and incurring plenty of costs. The NRA removes these expenditures. The finances are used efficiently as this one exam is providing a pathway to many departments. Furthermore, the resources and expenditure of various resources also decrease significantly.
How will the National Recruitment Agency Work?
Here is a brief description of how the NRA will work. Furthermore, you will realize the various benefits the NRA holds. The following are a few pointers on how the NRA will work?
- There is one common exam for all applicants. Conduction of exam in around 12 languages and the syllabus is based on the curriculum of the particular level.
- The government is planning on creating centers in approximately 117 districts. Therefore, even those from rural areas do not need to travel to distant places.
- In a central server, a standardized question bank will be created. This question bank will have similar levels of difficulty. Through this mode, applicants will equally get difficult questions.
- Out of the question bank, each applicant will get different questions in a jumbled format. This will reduce the chances of cheating during the exam.
- The score of the test will be generated immediately. After the generation of the scores, it is valid for 3 years from that moment.
- Unlimited attempts are allowed. But this is subject to the maximum age limit for the exam. The best score will be considered for your selection in any job post.
- The NRA is conducted for three-levels. Namely 10th students, 12th students & Graduates.
The Government has made new changes in the education policy as well. For more details on the New Education Policy of India (2020), click here.
Everything you need to know about the National Recruitment Agency is given in the article. Hope you have received information on the NRA. Furthermore, the benefits & role of the NRA will help India grow immensely. How NRA will work, can only be properly understood once the recruitment process starts.
FAQ | Understanding of National Recruitment Agency (NRA) 2020
NRA is the National Recruitment Agency. A government-established agency for recruitment purposes. The NRA focuses on a single exam for recruitment in various departments of the Central Government. The NRA proposal was accepted by the Union Cabinet on 19th August 2020. It comes under the Societies Registration Act,1860. The CET score is the most important.
CET- Common Eligibility Test. It is a test taken by the NRA for government recruitment. Yes, it is a compulsory test. The NRA mainly focuses on this test for further selection procedures in the government. The CET test is a single test that is different for levels. CET is the most important. Due to the complete weightage of it, in the selection process further.
A candidate is allowed unlimited attempts. But, this is subject to the upper age criteria for the exam. Age limit relaxation is given to reservation categories according to Government rules. The NRA is an agency that provided access & opportunity through unlimited attempts.
The NRA is the National Recruitment Agency. It is a new pathway created by the government for recruitment. It conducts the CET, which is the first step to the recruitment process. Thereafter, the respective departments take over the selection process. Its main aim is to construct 117 aspirational districts for test conduction. Therefore, it is convenient and easily accessible to the rural population as well.
COVID-19 Update | Understanding of National Recruitment Agency
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, there is a standstill in all activities. The selection and complete process will take a little time to start. The approval of the NRA was on 19th August 2020. It provides a new pathway for recruitment in the Central Government. A new but strongly beneficial change & shift. A much-required shift needed for the recruitment procedure. The NRA will be easily accessible and provide even better opportunities.