Did Nearly Three Lakh Candidates Compete for 12,472 Police Positions in Gujarat?

Ahmedabad, June 15 (NationPress) The recruitment initiative for 12,472 police positions in Gujarat has reached a pivotal moment, with over 2.72 lakh candidates participating in a written examination on Sunday. This exam aims to fill vacancies in the Lokrakshak cadre, which includes roles such as Unarmed and Armed Police Constables, Jail Sepoys, and personnel from the State Reserve Police Force (SRPF).

The examination is taking place at 825 centres in major cities, including Ahmedabad, Surat, Vadodara, Rajkot, Bhavnagar, Anand, and Gandhinagar. This recruitment drive follows an earlier written test on April 13, where 1,02,935 candidates participated for 472 posts of Unarmed Police Sub-Inspector (PSI).

The Lokrakshak examination comes after the state police department completed physical efficiency tests over recent months.

To guarantee the smooth and secure administration of the exam, a comprehensive security and organizational framework was established. More than 26,000 personnel were assigned to exam centres, comprising 8,000 police officers and 18,000 officials from the education department.

Each examination centre was subjected to CCTV surveillance, and candidates were required to undergo biometric and photographic verification prior to entry. Candidates were instructed to arrive by 7.30 a.m. to accommodate the detailed pre-exam verification process.

The substantial turnout illustrates the fierce competition and elevated ambitions among Gujarat's youth for government positions, particularly in the security domain. With more than 2.72 lakh aspirants competing for merely 12,000 Lokrakshak positions, the selection procedure is anticipated to be stringent.

Officials from the Gujarat Police Recruitment Board stated that the examination process is being carried out with complete transparency and strict adherence to guidelines to avert malpractice and ensure fairness. The outcomes of the written examination will dictate which candidates advance to subsequent stages of the selection process, which may involve additional physical or medical assessments.

The Lokrakshak recruitment exam is of considerable significance in Gujarat, socially and administratively. It stands as one of the largest state-level competitive examinations aimed at recruiting constables for the maintenance of law and order, internal security, and prison management.

With over 2.72 lakh candidates vying this year for approximately 12,000 posts, the exam not only reflects the high demand for stable government jobs among the youth but also symbolizes the state's ongoing efforts to fortify its police force amid increasing urbanization and security needs.

The last Lokrakshak recruitment occurred in 2021, where over nine lakh candidates registered for the exam. However, it was plagued by controversy following a paper leak incident, resulting in the cancellation of the exam and damaging public trust in the recruitment process.

The state government subsequently conducted the exam again under enhanced security and revised guidelines. In that cycle, around 10,459 posts were successfully filled, including roles for Unarmed and Armed Police Constables and Jail Sepoys.