Global technology major Google has joined ranks with Indian Railways to provide Google's navigation tool Google Maps and link the location of candidates appearing for Railway Recruitment Board (RRB) exams to test centers.
In a first, Railway Recruitment Board (RRB) exams will provide candidates examination centers within a 300-km radius. The move is aimed to cut travel time.
For years, candidates appearing for the Railways exams have complained about test centers being far away from their homes. This not only means they travel long distances, but also spend on lodging and food.
“With this, we are linking the pin codes of each candidate to an exam center within 300 km of their residences through Google Maps. Also, we are ensuring that the centers have easy access to different modes of transport like buses and trains. If this works, we will be able to solve one of the most frequent and perennial complaints of candidates,” a senior official said.
According to the tech major, the process to digitally link the exam centres will starts soon. The process will be rolled out in the Level 6 and Level 4 computer-based tests to be held at the end of this month (July 30). Around 60,000 candidates are likely to appear for the test at approximately 90 centers for 7,026 posts.
“As of now, we have been able to accommodate around 99 per cent of candidates who have been provided centers within a 300-km range, while 100 per cent of female candidates have been accommodated within 400 km,” Railway official added.
Most of the candidates took to Twitter after the RRB released the exam city links for the last set of exams, raising concerns about far away centres allotted to them.
The officials said candidates would get centres within the range, but it could be in a neighboring state with good connectivity. However, in North-eastern states, the Railways is finding it difficult to accommodate candidates within the 300-km range as there are only a few test centers, they said.
