The physical efficiency test (PET) for the recruitment for the 10th and 11th IRB Jamendar of Manipur was conducted on 5 -30 January, 2019 and the written examination for the same was held at Khuman Lampak, Imphal on January 30, 2020. Even after waiting for 7 years, the recruitment process is yet to be finalised.
While other government departments continue to conduct and finalize recruitments smoothly, the 10th & 11th India Reserve Battalion (IRB) Jemadar recruitment reportedly remains ignored, neglected, and seemingly forgotten by the authorities for over seven long years.
As reported by one of the candidates, the initial recruitment notification for the 10th & 11th MR/IRB Jemadar and Riflemen was officially issued on December 6, 2018 after which the Physical Efficiency Test (PET) for the Jemadar posts was successfully conducted from January 5 – January 30, 2019. Exactly one year later, the written examination for Jemadars was held at Khuman Lampak, Imphal on January 30, 2020. After a staggering five-year hiatus following the written exam, the Interviews/Viva-Voce for 416 shortlisted candidates were finally conducted at the MPHC Ltd. building on 8-18, 2025.
Despite completing the final stage of the selection process over a year ago, the final merit list is yet to see the light of day. Probably one of the longest-delayed recruitment processes in the history of Manipur.
The frustration of the Jemadar candidates is further compounded by the contrasting fate of their counterparts. The IRB Riflemen, who applied under the exact same notification in 2018, saw their results declared in late 2022. Those selected were reported to have completed their training, celebrated their Passing Out Parade on December 23, 2024, at Dergaon, Assam, and have already put in over a year of active service.
Meanwhile, the 416 Jemadar candidates, who cleared their written tests and viva-voce, still waits for their recruitment.
The candidates further stated that over the past seven years, authorities have cited an array of reasons for the unprecedented delay including the disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the implementation of the Model Code of Conduct during consecutive Parliamentary and State elections, the retirement of the Recruitment Board Chairman, the ongoing ethnic violence and volatile law-and-order situation in the state.
While candidates acknowledge these challenges, they point out a glaring contradiction that the Home Department has recently announced 7,000 fresh vacancies.
“If the state has the administrative capacity to initiate massive new recruitment drives and smoothly declare results for other departments, why has a microscopic pool of 416 Jemadar candidates from 2018 been completely sidelined?” questioned one of the candidates who wished to remain anonymous.
”We applied with the genuine hope of contributing to a progressive, peaceful, and secure Manipur. Today, we are left questioning if our dedication and hard work were worth it at all,” they stated.
According to the candidates, the seven-year delay has exacted a heavy toll on the mental, emotional, and financial well-being. Now over age-barred for most other government services, they are worried they may face irreversible career losses.
“In the history of public service recruitment in Manipur, no batch has been subjected to such prolonged negligence,” stated the candidates.
The 10th and 11th IRB Jamendar gave their sincere appeal to the Governor, the Chief Minister, the Home Department, and all responsible authorities to pay attention to the 2018 IRB Jemadar recruitment and declare the final results, safeguard the future of Manipur’s youth, and restore their broken faith in the system by giving them a new hope and a new blessing.
It is also to be noted that from Ukhrul District alone there are 13 candidates from the 10th and 11th IRB Jamendar who still waits for their recruitment.
