The Rajasthan State Road Transport Corporation (RSRTC) has implemented a significant policy shift regarding the free and concessional travel facilities provided to candidates appearing for competitive examinations. In a move designed to enhance transparency and eliminate the possibility of fraudulent activities, the corporation has now made it mandatory for all such candidates to complete an online registration process before they can avail of the free travel benefits on roadways buses.
Mandatory 36 Hour Advance Registration Requirement
Under the newly issued orders, candidates who are scheduled to appear for competitive exams must register themselves on the official Rajasthan Roadways registration portal. This registration must be completed at least 36 hours before the candidate intends to travel to their examination center, whether the center is located in a different district or within the same city. The administration has clarified that the registration portal will automatically stop accepting new entries once the 36 hour window prior to the exam has passed. This strict deadline ensures that the data can be processed and integrated into the system in time for the journey.
The Registration and Verification Process
Sujal Maharshi, the Traffic Manager of the Didwana Depot, provided detailed insights into the new system. He explained that a dedicated Competitive Candidate Registration Portal has been established on the official website of the corporation. Candidates are required to fill in their complete examination related details on this portal. A critical component of this process is the mandatory uploading of the candidate's admit card. On top of that, the registration process will only be considered complete after the candidate undergoes a mobile based OTP (One Time Password) verification, ensuring that the contact information provided is authentic.
Integration with ETIM Machines for Real Time Verification
The new system introduces a high level of technical integration to prevent the use of fake tickets. Traffic Manager Sujal Maharshi further explained that once a candidate successfully registers on the portal, their roll number is automatically added to the master database of the Electronic Ticket Issuing Machines (ETIM) used by bus conductors. When a candidate boards a bus and requests a ticket, the conductor will enter the candidate's roll number into the ETIM machine. The machine will then cross reference this roll number with the master database, while a concessional or free ticket under the competitive examination category will only be issued if the roll number is found to be valid and present in the system. This mechanism is expected to effectively curb cases of fake tickets and individuals attempting to claim concessions through unauthorized means.
Feedback from Candidates and Future Considerations
The introduction of this digital system has been met with a positive response from the student community, while tanveer Kumar, a candidate appearing for competitive exams, expressed his support for the initiative, stating that such a step is necessary to maintain transparency in the free travel facility provided by the government. However, while welcoming the move, candidates have also raised certain concerns. They've suggested that the Rajasthan Roadways administration should consider keeping an alternative or backup arrangement for candidates who might fail to register within the 36 hour window due to unavoidable circumstances or technical issues. This feedback highlights the need for a balanced approach that ensures security while remaining accessible to genuine students in emergencies.