Inspired by PM's vision, Army warms up for digital recruitment drive

Bengaluru, July 22: The Indian Army's Head Quarter (HQ) Recruiting Zone, Bengaluru, is warming up to launch a massive online recruitment drive targeting the youth of Karnataka and Kerala. The new recruitment drive is in tune with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's recently-launched ‘Digital India' initiative.

Brig V Rajamani D, Deputy Director, General Recruiting (States) said on Wednesday that the recruitment for Junior Commissioned Officers (JCOs) and Other Ranks (OR) entry to Indian Army has been made online now.

"The candidates can apply via www.joinindianarmy.nic.in for JCOs and OR vacancies. We are doing away with ‘Open Recruitment Rally (ORR) system. The candidates will have to apply online and those shortlisted will be called for the regular rally. The eligibility details are available on the website," Brig Rajamani said.

Indian Army has been conducting ORRs since April 1998. Through the digital drive, the Army aims to filter a considerable amount of candidates who don't meet their requirements.

Better control over rallies

"The recruitment process is transparent and there's no room for any malpractice. The public must be aware that touts and agents have no role to play here. We hope to have a better control over the situation at rallies now, with the candidates knowing when to appear and from which district," he said.

To a specific query from OneIndia on the pattern of recruitments in Karnataka and Kerala, the officer said: "The response from North Karnataka is overwhelming. Kerala too is catching up with NCC playing a huge role."
From April 2016, the Indian Army is also planning to outsource part of the recruitment drives to an agency.

The Army Headquarters is currently in the process of finalizing the agency, which will primarily look into online screening of applicants.

Minimum qualification is 12th pass

To another question from OneIndia, he said that the current drive is mainly targeted on youth between 17-and-a-half-years to 23 years.

"We are recruiting soldiers under general category, technicians and store keepers. The minimum qualification is 12th pass. We hope to recruit around 2000 soldiers from both states. The recruitments are based on RMP (Recruitable Male Population) of each state. For Karnataka, the RMP is 4.97 per cent of the national average," Brig Rajamani said.

While filing online applications, candidates must carry their education qualification certificates including matriculation certificate, personal details, including permanent address with PIN number, domicile certificate, valid email, personal mobile number and recently taken passport size photograph.

Massive preparations are being undertaken in liaison with the state governments of both states ahead of the online drive. Candidates can use central and state government kiosks like the Central Government Common Service Centre (CSC), India Post (Post Offices) and IT Education Centres for uploading their application forms.

Recruitment Rally schedule for Karnataka, Kerala

Rally 1: October 6 to 13; Venue: Haveri (Karnataka); Districts covered: Uttara Kannada, Shivamogga, Udupi, Chikmagaluru, Dakshin Kannada, Davangere, Bijapur, Dharwad, Haveri, Gadag and Bagalkot; Application open on website: August 6; Application closes on: September 22.

Rally 2: October 31 to Nov 5; Venue: Malapuram (Kerala); Districts covered: Calicut, Kasargod; Palakkad, Malapuram, Wayanad, Thrissur, Kannur and Union Territory of Lakshadweep and Mahe; Application open on website: August 28; Application closes on: October 14.

Rally 3: December 10 to 15; Venue: Kottayam (Kerala); Districts covered: Trivandrum, Kollam, Idukki, Alleppey, Kottayam, Pathanamthitta and Eranakulam; Application open on website: October 10; Application closes on: November 15.

Rally 4: January 6 to 16; Venue: Bidar (Karnataka); Districts covered: Belgaum, Raichur, Bidar, Koppal, Gulbarga and Yadgir; Application open on website: November 6; Application closes on: December 23.

Rally 5: February 1 to 4; Venue: Bellary (Karnataka); Districts covered: Bengaluru Urban, Bengaluru Rural, Kolar, Mandya, Tumkur, Mysore, Chamrajanagar, Ramanagara, Chikkaballapura, Kodagu, Chitradurga, Hassan and Bellary; Application open on website: December 1; Application closes on: January 18.

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