In recent developments, a Parliamentary Standing Committee (PSC) in India has proposed the awarding of statutory status to the Staff Selection Commission (SSC). SSC is among the most substantial recruitment agencies in the nation. Unlike the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) and all State Public Service Commissions that carry constitutional or legal status, the SSC, even though it performs similar functions on a larger scale, lacks statutory status. This proposition was also recommended by an expert group formed by the government in 2014 to review the SSC examination system.
The History of Staff Selection Commission
In 1975, the Government of India established the Subordinate Services Commission that was later renamed the Staff Selection Commission in 1977. The SSC functions as an attached office of the Department of Personnel and Training and consists of a Chairman, two Members, and a Secretary-cum-Controller of Examinations who are assigned roles based on the terms and conditions determined by the Central Government.
The concept of establishing a Service Selection Commission for carrying out the examinations for lower-category post recruitments was recommended in the Estimates Committee of the Parliament’s 47th Report (1967-68) and the First Administrative Reforms Commission (ARC) in 1968. The primary objective of creating the SSC was to lessen the workload on UPSC by taking over the recruitment for posts below the Group ‘A’ level.
SSC’s Growing Responsibilities and Workload
Over the years, the workload and responsibilities of SSC have multiplied incredibly. In 2008-09, it handled approximately 9.94 lakh candidates, which exponentially grew to over 2 crore in 2016-17.
Yet, despite having the approved staff strength of 481 officers, the SSC operates with only 75% of its sanctioned capacity.
| Year | Number of Candidates |
|---|---|
| 2008-09 | 9.94 lakh |
| 2016-17 | 2 crore |
Advantages of Granting Statutory Status to SSC
Awarding statutory status to the SSC is anticipated to contribute significantly to its operational autonomy. It will foster faster decision-making and bolster efficiency in overall performance as well as in delivering results during the recruitment process. Policymakers and experts believe that this step can help tune the commission’s functioning with the ever-increasing recruitment needs of the country.