Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu has highlighted the long-term importance of merit-based recruitment reforms in strengthening government employment, encouraging healthy competition among youth and improving governance in the state. Reflecting on changes in the recruitment system, Khandu said government jobs were once allegedly used as election promises, while recruitment lacked a formal and transparent merit-based framework. He pointed to the establishment of the Arunachal Pradesh Staff Selection Board (APSSB) and reforms in the Arunachal Pradesh Public Service Commission (APPSC) as key steps that brought greater emphasis on merit. According to Khandu, the changes were also reflected in the 2019 and 2024 elections, which he said marked a shift away from earlier job-for-vote practices. The Chief Minister said merit-based recruitment has created a healthier competitive environment among young people and contributed to a more capable, professional and quality government workforce. He acknowledged that administrative reforms may not always generate major headlines but stressed that their impact would be significant over the long term, particularly for young people, democratic processes and the quality of governance. Khandu said a transparent and merit-based recruitment system would benefit future generations by strengthening public institutions and increasing public confidence in government.