The Staff Selection Commission which is popularly known as the SSC is the key organization that conducts recruitment of service staff for the different ministries and departments of Government of India and offices under it.
The SSC works in liaison with the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) which is headed by a chairman along with a team of two members and secretary who also executes the duty of Controller of examinations.
The early initiation of the SSC was suggested by the Estimates Committee of the Parliament in its 47th report presented in the year 1967-68. This was suggested specifically for recruitments to various categories of lower posts. On closer assessment of the working class in government sector, the ARC or Administrative Reforms committee brought to light the fact that majority of workers in government departments belonged to the Class III and Class IV categories. It was also realized that educational requirements for most of the non-technical staff was almost the same for different departments. The idea to conduct joint recruitment through examinations or a recruitment board was hence strengthened. This is where the Government of India took measures to form a Subordinate Services Commission on November 4, 1975.
This Subordinate Services Commission was later redesigned into Staff Selection Commission on 26th September, 1977 for recruitments to Class III (now known as Group C) for various non-technical posts. The Staff Selection Commission has been reformed time and again and its functions are extended to recruiting for Group B posts. These posts are characterized by a pay scale of Rs.9300 to Rs.34800 and the entailing grade pay is Rs.42000.
All the constitutional changes and work functions of SSC became prominent from June 1, 1999.
As priory mentioned, SSC is lead by a Chairman, two members working under him and Secretary-cum-Controller of Examinations. There is an additional support staff of officers working at the HQs.
The Headquarters of SSC are centred in Delhi with various other regional centres. These regional centres are established to facilitate smooth functioning of exams throughout the country.
Regional Centres: Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata, Allahbad, Guwahati, Chennai, Bangalore.
Sub-Regional Offices: Raipur and Chandigarh.
Types of Examinations undertaken by SSCRecruitments for 'Group C non-technical' and 'Group B non-gazetted' posts which do not fall under any open examination. Generally undertaken where number of vacancies is small.
The Staff Selection Commission has incorporated provision of RTI to maintain transparency in all aspects of selection procedures of different examinations. The results of SSC examinations are published on its website ssc.nic.in
The Staff Selection of the North has recently announced recruitments for 30 posts. These include posts speech therapists, Junior Chemists and research assistant. The candidates will be judged on basis of a personality test and personal interview. Details are available on the SSC website.