National Students’ Union of India (NSUI) Nagaland state unit has expressed surprise at the collection of additional Rs.100 as an examination fee from candidates, who had already submitted their applications for 154 vacancies in the post of forest guard under the department of environment & climate change.
NSUI Nagaland unit through its media cell pointed out that as per the response to its earlier RTI application, 9,744 candidates applied for 115 Forest Guard posts advertised on January 13, 2023. It said that an examination fee of Rs.200 per candidate was charged, totalling Rs.19,48,800, which was not reimbursed to the candidates despite the examination being cancelled due to a “Cabinet decision” (as per the RTI reply).
The union stated that the department’s recent notification (Serial No. 8 of the advertisement), which states “The balance examination fee of Rs.100 shall be collected during the issuance of admit cards, subject to producing a payment receipt” was “entirely unreasonable”, given the financial burden already imposed on candidates.
NSUI stated that a candidate spends Rs.3,000-5,000 (depending on location) for food and lodging, conveyance to submit forms in Kohima. It said that many aspirants have already incurred significant expenses, and the department’s actions added further strain.
The union questioned whether candidates, who previously submitted their forms but lost their payment receipts (since the exam was cancelled without prior notice), would be required to submit their forms again.
NSUI said that more clarity and flexibility on the matter would be appreciated.
Further, the union questioned whether the examination fee of Rs.200 would be reimbursed if the candidate did not apply again.
Therefore, the union has demanded waiver of additional fee of Rs.100. it also suggested issuing digital admit cards instead of requiring candidates to travel from every nook and corner of Nagaland solely to collect physical copies in Kohima. Meanwhile, NSUI Nagaland unit appealed for timely conduct of examinations once the notification was issued without further delays from the department. The union said that recurring cancellation of exams severely impacted aspirants.