MP plans to collect ₹15 cr from unemployed youth:Charging ₹200 per candidate for police recruitment physical test adds to existing recruitment fee burden

Millions of unemployed youth aspiring for government jobs are facing an extra financial burden in the state of MP. For the first time state, candidates applying for police constable recruitment have to pay an additional Rs 200 for the physical fitness test, along with the written exam fee. What is most surprising is that this fee is not only for those who qualify for the physical test-every applicant must pay it. Around 10 lakh youth are expected to apply this time, which means the Police Department could collect an extra Rs 15 crore from candidates. Youth are unhappy with this new system, asking why this fee is being introduced now when it was not charged in earlier recruitments. Officials explain that technology is now being used in the physical tests, which is costly, and that is why the extra Rs 200 fee has been imposed. Double fees charged in MP Constable recruitment The Madhya Pradesh Employee Selection Board (ESB) recently announced recruitment for 7,500 constable posts in the police department. The application process began on September 15, with the last date initially set as September 29, later extended to October 6. When candidates applied online, they were surprised to find they had to pay two separate fees: An investigation revealed that this second “departmental examination fee” was actually being charged for the physical test. Previously, no fee was ever required for the physical examination. 10 lakh applicants, only 35,000 will Be tested but fees collected from all For 7,500 constable posts, the police recruitment rules allow only about five times the number of posts to be called for the physical test. This means roughly 35,000 candidates will appear for the physical fitness test. However, the department plans to collect the fee from all estimated 10 lakh applicants, not just those selected. Even if we assume half the applicants are from general and half from reserved categories, the total collection from this fee exceeds ₹15 crore. This system is not limited to constables; the upcoming Sub-Inspector recruitment for 500 posts in December also mentions similar departmental exam fees. Candidates say: A double blow for the unemployed This new fee is a heavy burden on youth from small towns and villages who stay in rented rooms in big cities to prepare. Balram Patil, a candidate, said that with rent, food, library, and other expenses already high, paying extra fees for 10–15 exams a year is extremely difficult. Until now, no department charged for physical tests. If police recruitment begins this, other departments – including jails, forest department, and even the army – may follow, adding further burden. Rohit Kumar said the biggest expense is just running and doing the shot put; charging fees for this seems unnecessary. Experts call it a new way to earn
Nitin Lauvanshi, a competitive exam trainer, said this is ironic. While the Chief Minister offers a one-time exam fee for all departments, the police are introducing a new fee for physical tests. He warned that if other departments follow, candidates will face double financial pressure. Candidates are already struggling to meet basic expenses, so they feel compelled to pay the fee, borrowing from family or friends if needed. Officer claims it is a technical cost ADG Mohammad Shahid Absar of the Police Selection and Recruitment Branch explained that the fee is for technology expenses. Chips are used to mark running times, which incurs costs. He added that the fee is collected at application submission so the cost is spread across all applicants. Charging only the 35,000 selected candidates would make the amount too high. When asked why fees are being charged now, despite chips being used in 2017, 2021, and 2023 without fees, the officer initially said it was the first time. Later, he claimed fees were charged in 2023. Fact Check: Officers’ claims misleading Dainik Bhaskar team investigated and found both claims false. Official notifications for the 2023 constable recruitment mention only the regular examination fees- ₹500 for unreserved and ₹250 for reserved categories. No “departmental examination fee” was ever mentioned or collected, as confirmed by candidates. Claim: Fees are needed to cover the expensive RF chip used in physical tests. Reality: This claim is misleading. Technology expert Shobhit Chaturvedi says RF (Radio-Frequency Identification) chips are simple and inexpensive, working much like a TV remote. A single chip costs around Rs 300, and bulk purchases lower the price further. For 35,000 candidates, the total cost would be only a few lakh Rs, yet the fees collected amount to Rs 15 crore. The chips are durable and reusable, with only 5–10% possibly damaged due to heat or moisture; the rest remain fully usable. ​