ITANAGAR ,Aug 13 : The State Cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister Pema Khandu, today approved the adoption of uniform eligibility criteria for direct recruitment through competitive examinations to all Group ‘A’, ‘B’ and ‘C’ services/posts under the Government of Arunachal Pradesh.
The decision will cover posts/services under State Government departments, Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs), Autonomous Bodies and Local/Urban Bodies, among others. The new eligibility provisions will apply with immediate effect to all Recruitment Rules/Service Rules of Group ‘A’, ‘B’ and ‘C’ posts/services and their equivalents.
Under the approved criteria, every candidate seeking direct recruitment will have to fulfil three mandatory conditions: Permanent Residence, Indigenous/APST status and Indigenous Tribal Language proficiency.
A candidate must be an Indian citizen and an inhabitant of Arunachal Pradesh possessing a valid Permanent Residence Certificate (PRC) issued by the designated competent authority. The candidate must also be an original inhabitant of Arunachal Pradesh and possess an Arunachal Pradesh Scheduled Tribe (APST) Certificate, as per the list of tribes notified by the Government of India under the Constitution (Scheduled Tribes) Order, 1950, as amended from time to time. The candidate must additionally be able to speak any of the Indigenous Tribal Languages of Arunachal Pradesh as per the notified list
The Arunachal Pradesh Public Service Commission (APPSC) and Arunachal Pradesh Staff Selection Board (APSSB) have been mandated to incorporate these eligibility clauses and the post-joining language test mechanism in all future recruitment advertisements and rules.
Other notable decisions:
In a significant decision concerning the Education Department, the Cabinet approved a one-time relaxation of two years in the minimum qualifying service/residency period prescribed under the Recruitment Rules, 2010 for promotion to the post of Principal/DDSE.
The qualifying period has been reduced from the existing eight years to six years for promotion of HM/VP and DAEO to the post of Principal/DDSE.
The decision addresses the long-pending demand of public and student bodies and will facilitate filling up existing vacancies of Principals in Government Higher Secondary Schools, with the objective of ensuring robust, responsible and accountable administration and improved academic results.
The Cabinet also approved the proposal for redesignation of Forester as Deputy Forest Ranger (Special Grade). The decision is aimed at motivating, encouraging and recognising the long-standing commitment and services of these frontline forest personnel.
The Cabinet also approved the Draft Arunachal Pradesh Industrial Development Area Bill, 2026 (APIDA, 2026) for introduction and enactment by the Arunachal Pradesh Legislative Assembly.
At present, Arunachal Pradesh does not have a dedicated legislation to regulate the planned development, management and maintenance of Industrial Development Areas. The proposed legislation seeks to provide a statutory framework for systematic development of industrial areas in the State.
The Cabinet approved amendment of the Senior Statistical Assistant Recruitment Rules, 2000 under the Department of Agriculture. It seeks to regularise changes already made through Government orders and notifications from time to time and incorporate recommendations of the Department of Administrative Reforms and Training relating to pay scale, age at recruitment, qualification, method of recruitment, composition of the Departmental Promotion Committee (DPC) and consultation process with APPSC, among other provisions.
The Cabinet approved a one-time relaxation of the qualifying service prescribed under the Recruitment Rules for promotion from Executive Engineer (EE) to Superintending Engineer (SE) in the Public Works Department. The decision has been taken in public interest to address the acute shortage of Superintending Engineers, which has resulted in a large number of vacancies remaining unfilled and adversely affected cadre management, project supervision and timely implementation of infrastructure works across the State.
The Cabinet, meanwhile, has approved shifting of the existing Rupa Highway Division of the Public Works Department to Nafra in Bichom District and its redesignation as the Nafra PWD Division, following the transfer of Frontier Highway works from the PWD to NHIDCL/BRO, as well as the need to strengthen administrative infrastructure in the newly created Bichom District.
The Cabinet approved amendment of the Recruitment Rules for Field Publicity Assistant (FPA) under the Directorate of Information and Public Relations, Government of Arunachal Pradesh. The amendment seeks to rationalise existing provisions and strengthen field-level public communication mechanisms. Also to address the manpower gap in the Directorate of Sericulture, the Cabinet approved creation of one post of Deputy Director of Sericulture under the Sericulture Department. (CMO)
