Nursing officers recruitment impersonation case: GMCH Chandigarh to introduce biometrics as security check

Chandigarh: Taking cognizance of the instances of cheating during the recruitment of nursing officers at Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH), Sector 32, authorities have decided to introduce biometrics checks for the candidates to enhance security protocols. 

This came after six fraud cases had been detected where substitutes appeared in the exams impersonating candidates while recruiting nursing officers. Although the entrance exam is administered by a third party at Panjab University and not by the GMCH, administrators have requested that the agency should begin using biometrics.

As for now, candidates have to go through a thorough body check and submit writing samples. They are also instructed to sign their names next to recent photos taken during the examination. However, GMCH authorities are going to add a biometrics check as another layer of security check. 

As per a recent media report by the Times of India, one of the GMCH officials stated, "This will be done both during entrance examination and counselling when selected candidates are called for document/certificate verification. They will be cross-matched to avoid malpractices."

GMCH posted job openings in December 2021 for hiring 182 nursing officers. Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India, approved the creation of 323 posts of nursing officers for Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH), Sector 32 last year. Of the 323 posts, 316 posts are of staff nurses, six nursing sisters, and one matron.

The hiring process for December 2021 vacancy solely relies on a written test and there was no provision for an interview. The fraud was discovered and an FIR was filed after GMCH invigilators discovered a discrepancy between one candidate's signature and photograph. When five more such cases were discovered to have inconsistencies, the GMCH officials decided to check the certificates and signatures of the chosen nursing officers. These five submitted a medical leave of absence but did not show up before the committee; they later tendered their resignation with a 24-hour notice.

"After the central service rules which have been initiated in GMCH, most of the people want to get jobs in the institute. There are some false recruitment agencies which have duped candidates," said an official in GMCH. "Therefore, it is crucial to soon start biometrics which can prevent impersonation," he added.