Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Wednesday approved the creation of National Recruitment Agency (NRA) to conduct computer-based common eligibility test for central government jobs, Information and Broadcasting Minister Prakash Javadekar said.

Briefing media persons about the decisions of the Cabinet, Mr Javadekar said,'' Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved the creation of National Recruitment Agency (NRA) to conduct computer-based common eligibility test for central government jobs.'' With this, the preliminary exam for all non-gazetted posts comprising Group B and C (non-technical) posts will be held in common.

Candidates who qualify the exam will apply to any of the recruitment agencies for a higher level of examination. The validity of the test score will be for three years and there will be no bar on the number of attempts subject to the upper age limit.

At present, the exams conducted by three agencies: banking personnel selection agency IBPS, railway recruitment board RRB and the Staff Selection Commission (SSC) will be unified.

Addressing reporters, Union Minister Jitendra Singh said the setting up of the agency will bring ease of recruitment, ease of selection and thereby ease of living for aspirant candidates.

Briefing media persons about the National Recruitment Agency, C Chandramouli, Secretary to the Government, said, ''there are almost more than 20 recruitment agencies in central government.

Although we are making exams of only three agencies common as of now, in the course of time we will be able to have Common Eligibility Test for all recruitment agencies.