Physical test for ‘Pashu Mitras’ as per policy, social media reports false

The Animal Husbandry Department today clarified that reports circulating on social media and in some sections of the press regarding the physical test for the selection of ‘Pashu Mitras’ were misleading and belied facts. The department stated that the selection process was being conducted strictly in accordance with the Pashu Mitra Policy, 2025, notified on August 14 last year. The videos of candidates running while carrying weight during the recent physical test conducted for the recruitment of ‘Pashu Mitras’ have gone viral on social media.

A spokesperson for the department said that the physical test was a basic functional fitness check conducted to ensure that the selected candidates could safely perform essential duties in veterinary institutions and livestock farms. “These duties include handling animals, lifting sick sheep or goats (around 25 kg) and carrying cattle feed bags as part of the routine veterinary support work,” he added.

He said, “The test was not an endurance competition and was not intended to humiliate or discriminate against any candidate, including women.”

The spokesperson said, “The honorarium of Rs 5,000 per month was for a part-time (four hours a day) multi-task role. While the engagement was part-time, the nature of the livestock-related work involving manual handling and minimum physical capability was therefore essential.”

He said that to ensure transparency, the physical test was conducted by a committee headed by the Sub-Divisional Officer (Civil) and was videographed. “Candidates may carry a prescribed weight in any manner comfortable to them and carrying weight on the head is not required. Any deviation from the notified procedure will be examined,” he added.

He said, “So far, 315 candidates have undergone the physical test and no injuries have been reported. The department is committed to fairness, safety and dignity of all candidates and the public should rely on the notified policy rather than selective or misleading portrayals.”