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(SSC PLANNER) Digital Initiatives Taken by SSC

1. Online Application System

The first step taken by the Commission towards digitazation was the introduction of online application. The online application system was first introduced in the year 2010. The system has been reviewed and updated from time to time. During the year 2015-16 about 94% applications were received online.

2. On-line Vacancy Collection

Manual collection and compilation of vacancies was a tedious and time consuming process, often leading to double and incorrect reporting of vacancies by the User Departments. A major initiative taken in this area by the Commission during the year 2014-15 was introducing online collection of vacancies for All India Open Competitive Examinations for making the process time bound, hassle free and fool-proof which was continued during the year 2015-16 also.

3. On-Line Data Verification

Another major initiative taken by the Commission in the area of digitization was introduction of online data verification. Accuracy of data is an essential pre-requisite for accurate results. One of the major challenges faced by the Commission was to eliminate inaccuracies in the data base caused by wrong filling up of forms by the candidates and sometimes incorrect data entry by the outsourced data processors. A major initiative taken by the Commission in this regard was introducing online data verification which has been continued, resulting in near error-free data.

4. On-Line Finger Print Collection

The Commission has started capturing online the finger prints of candidates called for document verification. The finger prints enable the Commission to detect possible attempts at impersonation. The finger prints so collected are proposed to be shared with the User Departments for identification of the candidates by them after their nomination.

5. Extension of CCTV Camera coverage

Activities relating to examinations are sensitive in nature and require close monitoring. Accordingly, surveillance through CCTV Cameras is being done to keep a watch on visitors in the Office premises of SSC HQs and also to monitor the handling of sensitive examination materials in the Confidential Halls.

6. Online RTI Portal

The Commission’s Headquarters and its Regional Offices have been successfully aligned to the Online RTI Portal of DoPT for receiving and handling of RTI applications and appeals. RTI applications / appeals are now being received and processed online also. This has resulted in a more efficient handling of RTI applications besides reducing paper work and achieving considerable saving of time. During the year 2015-16, 15,410 RTI Applications and 919 Appeals under the Right to Information Act, 2005 were received in the Commission’s HQs and were expeditiously addressed within the stipulated period.

7. Video Conferencing with RDs/DDs

Larger policy issues and modalities for conduct of examinations, etc. are discussed by the Commission with the Regional Directors / Deputy Directors before arriving at decision. Earlier the Regional Directors / Deputy Directors were required to be called to the Commission’s Headquarters for such consultation. The Commission has introduced Video Conferencing with the Regional Directors during the year, which has contributed to a meaningful real time exchange of information between the Regional Offices and Headquarters and has streamlined and speeded up the decision making processes in the Commission.

OTHER INITIATIVES

1. In order to make the examination system user friendly, the Commission periodically reviews the same and introduces reforms. An Expert Group was constituted with the approval of the Government for reviewing the existing examination system and making recommendations. The Expert Group submitted the Report in October, 2014. The Report was deliberated in an All India Workshop with stakeholders and conclusions of the Workshop along with Commission’s recommendations were submitted to Government on 7.11.2014.

2. Videography of opening of examination materials and conduct of Examinations

In order to ensure free and fair conduct of examinations, in consonance with the guidelines / instructions of the Commission, the Commission introduced videography at the stage of the opening of the examination material and during the overall conduct of examination.

3. Modernisation of Facilitation Centre

In pursuance of Government policy of quick and effective redressal of public grievances, the Commission took the initiative of setting up a full-fledged Facilitation Centre by improving its ambience and posting trained manpower to cater to the different needs of the candidates. In addition to attending to public grievances, the Facilitation Centre also receives applications for SSC, Northern Region, accepts RTI Applications, issues duplicate Admit Cards and attends to complaints, etc. The Facilitation Centre has been provided with seating arrangements and drinking water facility for the convenience of visiting candidates.

4. Chairman’s Public Grievances Cell

In addition to the normal grievances redressal mechanism at the Facilitation Centre, a Special Chairman’s Public Grievances Redressal System has also been put in place where the candidates can directly e-mail their grievances to the Chairman. The grievances so received are attended to and responded under the direct monitoring of the Chairman.

5. Bringing out Hindi Publication “Jharokha”

With a view to promote the use of Hindi in official work and to provide channel for employees to express their hidden creativity, the Commission started an in-house library quarterly publication in Hindi named Jharokha. The publication has been well received not only in SSC but in other Ministries as well. The publication is circulated among all Ministries/Departments of the Government of India.

6. Facility to use Credit/Debit Cards for payment of Examination Fee

The examination fee for various examinations of the Commission was earlier collected through SBI Challans / Internet Banking / Credit Cards / Debit Cards of SBI and its Associate Banks. In addition to this, with effect from 2014-15, the Commission introduced the receipt of payments through Debit/Credit Cards of all Banks. This facility has been continued during the year 2015-16. This initiative has offered more choices to the candidates, which is also a step forward towards digitisation of payments by Government.