Government has decided to launch a special recruitment drive to fill up the backlog in reserved vacancies for persons with disabilities, and has asked various ministries and departments to complete the task by the middle of next year.

A detailed plan of action has been chalked out by the government to fill up the vacancies existing as on November 15 this year.

Setting a target for the entire process, the ministry of personnel said various ministries and departments will issue instructions to all appointing authorities in this regard by December 4.

While the ministries will identify the backlog in reserved vacancies by December 31, UPSC, Staff Selection Commission and other recruiting agencies will advertise them by February 28 next.

The recruiting agencies will receive the applications by April 15 and hold tests and interviews by May 31, the ministry directive said, adding that letters offering appointment may be issued to the selected candidates by July 15.

All ministries and departments have been asked to monitor the drive and review its progress from time to time, as the government has to file a report to the Supreme Court in this regard, it said.