Students strive hard to crack SI recruitment test

Students of Osmania University seriously prepare for the physical test of the recruitment of Sub-Inspectors. Ever since the Government notified recruitment of Sub-Inspectors in large numbers students have thronged the OU grounds to prepare for the physical tests. Photo: Nagara Gopal.

They spring into the air with all their force as if it's the route to a prosperous life and the mighty leap over the bar is a hurdle that they must cross. When the body hits the sand clearing the bar there are cheers all around and jeers when they fail to do it. Neither the chilly winter winds nor body-aches dishearten them.

Osmania University main grounds is witness to these interesting scenes every morning as students throng the ground in their preparation for the Sub-Inspector examinations. “It's tough. We are not used to such physics tests. But this is our best opportunity,” says Nagesh, who just finished his MCA. The physical test is the toughest and they have to clear it before being eligible for the written test.

Every candidate has to necessarily finish the five km run in 25 minutes and those clearing it will be eligible to be part of five other tests. The 100 meters sprint has to be cleared in 15 seconds and 800 meters run in 170 seconds. In the long jump they have to clear 3.80 meters and the high jump 1.20 meters. Shot put has to be thrown a distance of minimum 5.60 meters. Those passing these tests will get a chance to appear for the written test.

Biggest recruitment

There are 2,200 – odd posts this time making it the biggest recruitment in recent times and the numbers have infused lot of confidence and generated hope of cracking the test. “We had enough of agitations and its time to prepare now,” feels Ravi Prakash, another aspirant.

The university pedigree too is a positive sign.

“Earlier, recruitments prove that a majority of SI posts are taken by campus students who prepare seriously when it matters.

Every police station in the city and districts has at least one SI from OU campus at any given time and that is definitely an inspiration,” says Rudra Reddy, a research scholar.

OU Physical Director Surender Reddy says students are pretty determined. “Seeing their enthusiasm we have provided sand pits for high jump and long jumps apart from guiding them on the sprints.

Coaching centres

After their practice all the students go to the coaching centres in Vidyanagar, RTC X Roads and Dilsukhnagar. Of course, they turn up in the evening for another round of practice”.

A senior teacher sums up the contrasting mood: “Till the other day they were throwing stones on the police and now they want to get into those shoes!”