Itanagar:The Arunachal Pradesh cabinet on Thursday approved uniform eligibility criteria for direct recruitment to all government posts, making a Permanent Residence Certificate (PRC), ST certificate and proficiency in a tribal language mandatory for candidates.
The decision will apply to direct recruitment through competitive examinations under state government departments, public sector undertakings, autonomous bodies and local bodies, among others, an official statement said.
The new provisions will take immediate effect and will be incorporated into the Recruitment Rules and Service Rules for Group A, B and C posts and their equivalents, it said.
Under the new criteria, candidates must be Indian citizens and inhabitants of Arunachal Pradesh possessing a valid PRC. They must also be original inhabitants of the state and hold an Arunachal Pradesh Scheduled Tribe certificate in accordance with the list of STs notified by the Centre.
Candidates will also have to demonstrate proficiency in at least one indigenous tribal language of Arunachal Pradesh from a notified list, the statement said.
The Arunachal Pradesh Public Service Commission (APPSC) and the Arunachal Pradesh Staff Selection Board (APSSB) have been directed to incorporate the eligibility provisions, along with a post-joining language test mechanism, in future recruitment advertisements and rules.
The cabinet decision comes amid sustained demands from various organisations, including the All Arunachal Pradesh Students' Union (AAPSU), for the abolition of the existing 80:20 recruitment ratio in government jobs and stronger safeguards for employment opportunities for indigenous youths.
The 80:20 ratio was a long-standing recruitment policy, reserving 80 per cent of state government jobs for local ST candidates and leaving the remaining 20 per cent open to general competition.
AAPSU has been demanding mandatory PRC and APST certificates for state recruitment and had submitted its recommendations to the High Power Committee examining the issue. The committee accepted the union's recommendations, including the requirement for proficiency in an indigenous language.
AAPSU has given the state government an ultimatum till August 15 to announce its decision on the 80:20 recruitment issue and warned of a 12-hour statewide bandh on August 17 if its demand is not met.
The Arunachal Frontier Tribal Front (AFTF) has also sought complete abolition of the 80:20 ratio and demanded mandatory ST and PRC certificates for government recruitment. It has also called for proficiency in an indigenous tribal language or dialect to be included in the recruitment process.
The cabinet, however, did not state that the 80:20 ratio itself had been abolished. Instead, it approved uniform eligibility conditions aimed at restricting direct recruitment to candidates meeting the newly prescribed residence, indigenous status and language requirements.
In another major decision concerning the Education Department, the Cabinet approved a one-time two-year relaxation in the qualifying service period for promotion to principal and Deputy Director of School Education (DDSE) under the Recruitment Rules, 2010.
The required service period has been reduced from eight years to six years for promotion of headmasters, vice-principals and district adult education officers to the posts of principal and DDSE.
The move is expected to help fill vacant principal posts in government higher secondary schools and address a long-pending demand of public and student organisations. The government said the measure would strengthen administration and improve academic performance in schools.
The cabinet also approved redesignation of the post of forester as Deputy Forest Ranger (Special Grade).
It approved the draft Arunachal Pradesh Industrial Development Area Bill, 2026, for introduction in the state assembly.
The proposed legislation seeks to establish a statutory framework for the planned development, management and maintenance of industrial development areas in the state, which currently does not have dedicated legislation for the purpose, the statement said.
The council of ministers also approved amendments to the Senior Statistical Assistant Recruitment Rules, 2000, under the Agriculture Department.
The changes seek to incorporate modifications made through government orders and notifications and address issues relating to pay scale, age, educational qualification, recruitment method, composition of the departmental promotion committee and consultation with the APPSC.
A one-time relaxation in the qualifying service period for promotion from Executive Engineer to Superintending Engineer in the Public Works Department was also approved.
The decision aims to address a shortage of Superintending Engineers and fill vacancies that have affected cadre management, project supervision and implementation of infrastructure works, the statement said.
The cabinet further approved shifting the existing Rupa Highway Division of the PWD to Nafra in Bichom district and redesignating it as the Nafra PWD Division.
The move follows the transfer of Frontier Highway works from the PWD to the National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Ltd (NHIDCL) and the Border Roads Organisation (BRO), and is also aimed at strengthening administrative infrastructure in the newly created district.
