Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu has described the creation of the Arunachal Pradesh Staff Selection Board (APSSB) as a historic reform in the state’s public recruitment system.
Khandu made the remarks on Wednesday while inaugurating a newly added conference hall at the APSSB office in Itanagar. He said the Board was created to establish a more transparent and equitable recruitment process for Group C and D posts.
The Chief Minister said the reform replaced an earlier system in which individual government departments conducted recruitment for various posts.
Recruitment System Changed Through Legislation
According to Khandu, the idea for the recruitment reform emerged after he assumed office in 2016. The government later gave the reform a legal framework through the Arunachal Pradesh Staff Selection Board Act, 2018.
He said the government chose legislation instead of creating the institution only through an executive or Cabinet order. The APSSB was formally established under the 2018 Act.
Khandu said the objective was to create an equal opportunity for candidates. He also said a centralised recruitment system could reduce concerns linked to inconsistencies and external influence in departmental recruitment.
APSSB Handles Group C and D Recruitment
The APSSB has now become the main recruitment channel for Group C and D posts in the state government.
Recruitment for Group A and B posts continues to come under the Arunachal Pradesh Public Service Commission (APPSC). The APSSB also conducts examinations for subordinate services and posts under government departments and other specified organisations.
The Board’s role has made it an important institution for young people seeking government employment in Arunachal Pradesh.
Board Has Conducted 38 Examinations
Khandu highlighted the Board’s recruitment record since it began conducting examinations in 2019.
He said APSSB has conducted 38 examinations and recommended 5,836 candidates for appointment to various posts. The 39th examination, the Common Higher Secondary Level Examination (CHSLE) 2026, is currently underway.
The Board’s official website also lists several recruitment processes conducted in 2026. These include the Combined Graduate Level Examination, Combined Higher Secondary Level Examination and a special recruitment drive for uniformed services.
Focus on Merit and Equal Opportunity
The creation of APSSB was intended to create a common recruitment mechanism for eligible candidates across the state.
Khandu said the system was designed to provide an equal playing field regardless of a candidate’s social or political background. He linked the reform to the wider objective of making recruitment more transparent and merit-based.
The Board’s official website similarly states that its recruitment process is designed to provide equal opportunities to unemployed youth through a merit-based system.
Recruitment Has Become More Technology-Driven
Khandu also pointed to changes among young people entering government service through the Board. He said recruits selected through APSSB are part of a younger generation with strong digital skills.
The Board’s examination process has also expanded over the years. Its current notices include online examination-related updates, answer-key challenges, document verification and recruitment results.
These processes have created a structured recruitment cycle for candidates preparing for government positions.
Government Plans to Strengthen APSSB Infrastructure
With the Board’s recruitment workload increasing, Khandu has also directed the Chief Secretary to examine the need for dedicated infrastructure for APSSB.
The direction includes consideration of the Board’s growing manpower and technical requirements. The move comes as APSSB continues to conduct multiple recruitment examinations across the state.
The proposed infrastructure support is intended to help the institution manage its expanding responsibilities.
A Major Shift in Arunachal’s Recruitment System
The establishment of APSSB marked a shift from departmental recruitment towards a centralised selection mechanism for subordinate government posts.
Khandu said the significance of the reform may become clearer over time. He described the creation of the Board as one of the major reforms undertaken in the state’s recruitment system.
Since its establishment, the Board has become a regular channel for government recruitment. Its examinations now attract candidates from across Arunachal Pradesh.
Focus on Transparent Public Recruitment
The APSSB continues to play a central role in recruitment for Group C and D positions. Its establishment under legislation has also provided a formal institutional structure for the selection process.
With its examination schedule expanding and thousands of candidates already recommended for appointment, the Board has become an important part of Arunachal Pradesh’s public recruitment system.
The ongoing CHSLE 2026 examination and other recruitment processes will further add to the Board’s record as it continues its role in selecting candidates for government services.