Editor,

I wish to draw the attention of the chairman, Arunachal Pradesh Staff Selection Board (APSSB), to certain serious concerns regarding the recently published batch-wise schedule for the physical efficiency test (PET) for the post of special tiger protection guard under the Special Recruitment Drive for Uniformed Services Examination (SRDUSE)-2026.

The recruitment notification clearly mentioned that candidates would be shortlisted for the PET in the ratio of 1:3, based on their written examination performance. However, for 243 advertised vacancies, the number of shortlisted candidates reportedly exceeds 1,300, which is far beyond the prescribed ratio. Such a deviation raises legitimate concerns about transparency, fairness, and adherence to the recruitment rules. Aspirants deserve a clear explanation as to why the notified criterion appears to have been departed from.

Further, I respectfully request the APSSB to ensure that APST candidates who secure sufficient merit are first adjusted against the unreserved (open merit) category, and only thereafter considered against reserved APST vacancies. The 80:20 reservation policy should not be interpreted in a manner that reduces opportunities for meritorious APST candidates or alters the intended reservation framework. Merit should prevail in the unreserved category, irrespective of community, as has been the established principle in public recruitment.

Recruitment to government services must not only be fair but must also be perceived to be fair. Transparency and faithful implementation of notified rules are essential for maintaining the confidence of thousands of young aspirants.

I therefore earnestly appeal to the chairman, APSSB, to either rectify the apparent discrepancy, if any, or issue a comprehensive and reasoned clarification explaining the basis for the shortlisting and the application of the reservation policy. Such a step would go a long way in upholding public trust in the recruitment process.

A concerned aspirant