Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh): The recruitment process in the police has revealed a startling trend — candidates are not too keen to join the Special Armed Force (SAF) after clearing the exam.
The SAF hoped to fill 2,600 vacant posts through the constable recruitment exam-2023. However, only 1,600 successful candidates joined the SAF; others chose to opt out.
In all, out of the 6,423 candidates (5,090 males, 1,333 females) selected for final joining in different forces, around 3,600 have reported at various police centres across the state for the joining process (which involves checking their character certificate, Aadhar ID, and medical examination).
Officials said it is the hard work involved in the SAF that deters many. They said the difference between the District Force (DF) and the SAF is that those with the former have the privilege to live with their family under their police station. They oversee law and order and are also assigned VIP duties. Sometimes, they are even allowed time off after being on duty for over 10 hours.
On the other hand, the SAF personnel live in battalion lines and are posted at stations. Every time there is a VIP movement, the SAF is deputed for a long time. Similarly, during calamities or elections, it is the SAF personnel who are deployed.
Officials said that many personnel, once they have joined the SAF, try to shift to the DF as it offers more freedom.
Eye on waiting list
SAF IG Irshad Wali said to Free Press that for the 2,600 posts in the force, only around 1,600 candidates had given their joining.
He said that out of the 1,000 candidates who did not join, some of them got selected for other forces, while others got selected for other posts. He said the waiting list was awaited so they could fill the remaining posts.
