Cancel CBRT: 4 Lakh Candidates Protest in Gandhinagar for Forest Dept. Exams

In 2022, the Forest Department in Gujarat announced recruitment, and exams were conducted from February 8 to 27, 2024. For 823 positions, 800,000 candidates applied, and 400,000 took the exam. As soon as the results were declared, candidates expressed outrage. Two days ago, candidates from various districts of the state protested against the CBRT (Computer-Based Recruitment Test) and normalization method, claiming it caused injustice. Today, candidates for the Forest Beat Guard gathered at Ramkatha Maidan in Gandhinagar, where student leader Yuvrajsinh also joined. Candidates are demanding that marks be released along with normalization and that the results of all candidates be published in PDF format.

Government Experiment with Students Failed 

Student leader Yuvrajsinh stated that in 2022, positions were announced for the recruitment of Forest Guards. For 823 positions, 800,000 candidates applied, and 400,000 took the exam. This exam was conducted using the CBRT method, where the normalization system was applied. Now, the marks that should be released are withheld by the Subordinate Services Selection Board. Students are demanding the release of marks before and after normalization, an increase in the vacant positions, and the complete abolition of the CBRT method. The experiment conducted by the Gujarat government on students has failed.

What are the Candidates’ Demands? 

Candidates gathered in Gandhinagar are demanding that for a long time, recruitment for Forest, CCE, Sub-Auditor, Senior Surveyor, Planning Assistant, Work Assistant Junior Engineer Civil, Graphic Designer, and other cadres have been conducted using the CBRT method. This method, first experimented with in Gujarat, was said to be highly reliable, transparent, paperless, and error-free. However, in the recent exams, it did not meet these expectations, leading to many irregularities. The major drawback is that all exams conducted by the Gujarat government are in the Gujarati language.

Lack of Coordination between Officers and Agency Personnel 

Candidates stated that agencies like TCS or other private agencies, contracted for the work, lack experience with the Gujarati language and there is a lack of coordination between the Subordinate Services Selection Board officials and the agency personnel. This results in significant translation errors in setting and checking the papers. The use of Google Translate or other applications does not convey the intended meaning, causing confusion.

Disparity in Paper Difficulty Levels 

Candidates also pointed out another issue: the varying difficulty levels of papers in different shifts. Some papers are too easy while others are very difficult. The normalization method used to prepare the merit list cannot accurately measure the marks, leading to unfair comparisons. This normalization method is harmful and unjust, and it should be abolished along with the CBRT method.

Publication of Categorized Information 

Especially for Forest candidates, there is a demand that the Subordinate Services Selection Board publish the actual marks before and after normalization for each candidate in a categorized and marks-wise manner. If SSC CGL, IBPS, RRB, and the Gujarat Police Recruitment Board can publish merit lists with all information, why can’t the Subordinate Services Selection Board do the same?

Release Marks in PDF Format 

A candidate from Junagadh stated that they have gathered regarding the Forest exam. They demand the release of marks in PDF format and the detailed merit list of 6500 candidates, showing their marks before and after normalization. They also pointed out discrepancies in the difficulty levels of papers in the 48 shifts. They humbly request the government to pay attention to these issues.

Injustice Done to Us 

Candidate Nikesh Ayada stated that the Forest Guard exam has caused injustice to them due to the normalization and CBRT methods. They demand the release of marks and seek justice from the Subordinate Services Selection Board. The exam conducted in February released results after six months, causing further injustice to them.

We Have the Right to Know Our Marks 

Candidate Hetal Vaghela stated that she has been preparing for the Forest exam for two years. The marks have not been released, and only the merit list was published, causing injustice to them. They have the right to know their marks. Additionally, they demand the abolition of the CBRT method.

Authorities Are Not Listening to Our Demands 

Forest candidate Shabana Chotaliya stated that they have been presenting their demands to the government for five days. Despite submitting applications at various places, their demands are not being heard. They have gathered here today to demand the publication of marks before and after normalization for the 6500 candidates. They also demand the abolition of the CBRT method for all exams in Gujarat. There are still 400 vacant positions in the Forest Department, and more candidates should benefit from the next recruitment round. Out of 400,000 candidates, 170,000 scored above 80%. They should be given the opportunity to take the ground test as promised. The exam was initially announced to be conducted offline using the OMR system but was later conducted online using the CBRT method, causing injustice to them.