The Lokpal of India comprising acting Chairperson Justice Pradip Kumar Mohanty and two members Dinesh Kumar Jain & Dr Indrajeet Prasad Gautam in its communication to the Centre has advised to see the possibility to put recruitments in all labs under CSIR on hold until the new recruitment rules and revised recruitment process are finalised. Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR) has approximately 39 laboratories and is considered as India’s premier scientific research institutions in various streams of science.

The decision came in the backdrop of Central Vigilance Commission’s extensive study of complaints against rampant perpetual irregularities and lobby driven recruitments. As of now, recruitment processes in two of the Labs of CSIR have been put on hold. While passing the order, Lokpal has given a six-weeks’ time to the Department of Science and Technology to revert with the progress and the Action Taken Report (ATR) in this regard.

It will prove to be a turning point in India’s scientific research if irregularities in the recruitment process meet a course-correction. It may be underlined that Lokpal has appreciated the suggestions made in the report of the CVO; especially the suggestion of a written test to be conducted before an interview, wherever the number of applicants against vacancies advertised is very large as compared to the number of vacancies. The Lokpal has directed to consider the suggestion of written exams while framing the revised recruitment rules/recruitment process.