Editor,
The Arunachal Pradesh Public Service Commission (APPSC) has issued Advertisement No 01/2026 for the Assistant Professor Examination-2026, inviting applications for 145 posts across various disciplines in government colleges.
The notification clearly lays down transparent, merit-based criteria for shortlisting and selection. Any deviation from these rules under external pressure would undermine the integrity of the recruitment process and demoralise genuine aspirants who have prepared diligently.
According to the official advertisement, the selection will be made through viva voce/interview only (total 100 marks). A screening committee will shortlist eligible candidates for interview based on the academic score as specified in Appendix-II (Table 3B) of the UGC Regulations, 2018.
Crucially, eligible candidates shall be invited for interview in the ratio of 1:3 (subject to availability) on the basis of their score/marks obtained in the said Academic Performance Indicator (API) table. This provision ensures that only candidates meeting the required academic threshold are considered, maintaining fairness and quality in appointments.
The 1:3 ratio serves as a vital filter to uphold merit. If the commission succumbs to pressure from candidates with lower API scores to alter this ratio or dilute the shortlisting criteria from the prescribed notification, it would set a dangerous precedent. Such a move would not only violate the spirit of the notified rules but also open the floodgates for further demands, which will erode trust in the institution.
The notification explicitly states that the number of vacancies and reservations are based on the requisition from the Department of Education, and the commission’s decisions on eligibility are final. Allowing post-notification changes through lobbying would amount to favouritism and injustice towards sincere candidates who have adhered to the published guidelines.
The APPSC has a reputation for conducting fair recruitments. In the interest of transparency, academic excellence, and the future of higher education in Arunachal Pradesh, the commission must firmly stand by the original notification. Any dilution of the 1:3 merit-based shortlisting would not only invite legal challenges but also discourage talented youths from aspiring to teaching positions.
Concerned aspirants
