Itanagar: Arunachal Pradesh CM Pema Khandu on Friday reiterated the govt’s commitment to merit-based governance.Speaking after felicitating and presenting appointment orders to 461 candidates selected through the Combined Secondary Level Examination (CSLE) 2025 conducted by the Arunachal Pradesh Staff Selection Board (APSSB), Khandu said, “Merit is respected, hard work is rewarded, and honesty is non-negotiable.”A total of 47,132 candidates appeared for the examination for Group C and Group D posts across 26 departments, including seven deputy commissioners’ offices, making the selection highly competitive, an official report stated.Khandu expressed confidence that the newly inducted workforce would play a crucial role in realising the vision of Viksit Arunachal 2047.The CM praised the APSSB for ensuring a transparent and merit-based recruitment process over the years. He said the board has emerged as a key institution in strengthening governance and has also received ISO certification for its recruitment procedures.Recalling that recruitment reforms were initiated after he assumed office to ensure fairness and equal opportunity for all aspirants, Khandu said earlier practices often lacked transparency, depriving many deserving candidates of opportunities.He added that the establishment of the Staff Selection Board has helped create a level playing field and ensured that merit and competence determine selection.Calling upon the newly appointed candidates to uphold the highest standards of public service, Khandu said the govt employees are “servants of the people” and must serve with compassion, humility, and professionalism. He urged them to create a positive and citizen-friendly work environment where people visiting govt offices feel respected and heard.He also encouraged the candidates to adapt to emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence and machine learning, stressing that govt employees must remain aligned with changing times. He directed departments to introduce technology-based training modules in collaboration with the administrative training institute to strengthen capacity-building efforts.
