Mizoram student body protests MPSC recruitment process, seeks scrapping of OTR system

Mizoram Public Service Commission (MPSC) faced a demonstration in Aizawl on Aug 10 as students and members of the Mizo Zirlai Pawl (MZP) pressed for changes to the commission's recruitment and administrative processes.

The protesters gathered outside the MPSC office and demanded structural reforms, more staff, and measures to improve the commission's functioning and credibility.

The demonstration was largely peaceful, although a brief confrontation broke out between police and some protesters when officials tried to enter the office.

A major point of contention was the commission's One Time Registration (OTR) system. MZP alleged that administrative lapses in recent recruitment exercises had affected job seekers and called for the existing system to be discontinued.

The student organization instead proposed post-specific application forms based on individual recruitment requirements.

MZP also called for a one-time provision allowing candidates who were disqualified because they had failed to upload complete documents through the OTR portal to submit those documents offline.

The demand particularly covers candidates who had cleared written examinations but were later rejected during document verification.

The MPSC, however, defended the OTR system, saying it was designed to make recruitment applications simpler while ensuring fairness and equality in public employment.

In an official notice released, the commission said, "MPSC is not trying to create difficulties for job applicants but is trying to make the recruitment process fair, transparent, efficient and as permitted by law."

The commission also rejected the demand to replace OTR with separate application forms for each vacancy.

"MZP's request to end the OTR and issue specific application forms for each job vacancy is not acceptable to the MPSC. Since the termination of OTR is more likely to create new problems than solve the problems of candidates, it is not appropriate for the MPSC to terminate the OTR at this stage. The termination of the OTR is not a solution to the problem, but a new problem for applicants," it noted.

According to the commission, OTR helps candidates avoid repeatedly entering the same information, reduces errors and gives applicants continuous access to their application and examination-related details through the portal.

MZP president Dr C Lalremruata said the organization would continue to intensify its agitation until the commission addressed its demands.