How to become a Government Translator?

 How to become a Government Translator?

       Translators are recruited from time to time in the Government of India. The Government of India has laid down the criteria for creation of posts of translators in Government offices according to which translators are recruited by each Government office through recruitment agencies like Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), Staff Selection Commission (SSC), National Testing Agency (NTA), and Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS) or at the level of its offices. The posts of Official Language cadre in the Ministries and Departments of the Government of India and Public Sector Undertakings, Tribunals, Autonomous Bodies, Boards etc. under them are in different names. The hierarchy in Ministries and Departments etc. are Junior Translation Officer, Senior Translation Officer, Assistant Director (Official Language), Deputy Director (Official Language), Joint Director (Official Language) and Director (Official Language). At the same time, the hierarchy in Public Sector Undertakings and Banks etc. is Official Language Officer, Assistant Manager (Official Language), Deputy Manager (Official Language), Manager (Official Language), Deputy General Manager (Official Language), General Manager (Official Language) etc. Recruitment Advertisements are issued for appointment on direct recruitment/promotion/deputation basis keeping in view the provisions made in the Recruitment Rules relating to the posts of Official Language cadre prevalent in the Ministries and Departments of the Government of India and their subordinate offices. These advertisements are published in Employment News and reputed English and Hindi newspapers and are also published on the website of the respective offices. Presently, most of the online applications are invited.

Recruitment process of Government Translators

Candidates aspiring to become Translators in the Government of India generally prepare for applications and examinations under the advertisement issued by SSC every year for recruitment to the posts of Junior Hindi Translator (JHT)/Senior Hindi Translator (SHT). Recently, for the first time UPSC released advertisements for recruitment to Junior Translation Officer (JTO) posts and appointments were made for Employees Provident Fund Organization (EPFO) and Employees State Insurance Corporation (ESIC). Two examinations (Paper-1 and Paper-2) are conducted by SSC. In Paper-1 examination, Hindi and English language knowledge are evaluated, and in Paper-2, translation from English into Hindi and vice versa and the art of essay writing in Hindi and English are evaluated. Candidates who pass on the basis of cut off in Paper-1 are given an opportunity to appear in Paper-2. After this, the final merit is prepared on the basis of the combined result of Paper-1 and Paper-2 and the selection process is finalized. UPSC conducts the selection process on the basis of a single written test and interview under its prescribed recruitment process. UPSC has a very comprehensive exam syllabus. It includes the official language policy of the Union of India, constitutional provisions related to official language, President Order, 1960, Official Language Resolution, 1968, Official Language Act and Rules, Annual Program, Hindi to English and vice versa translation, Hindi general knowledge, Hindi language and literature etc. IBPS, NTA and other selection organizations have their own selection process and exam syllabus. Apart from these, many government organizations conduct examinations at their own level which vary in the examination syllabus. Some such organizations can prepare their exam syllabus according to the exam syllabus of SSC, UPSC, NTA, and IBPS.

Educational Qualifications to Become a Government Translator

      To become a translator in the Government of India, according to the recruitment rules of each office, the minimum essential educational qualifications and desirable qualifications and experience etc. are different, but in general in SSC, UPSC etc. these qualifications are as follows: –

1.     If the candidate has done post-graduation in Hindi subject from a recognized university, then he/she should have English as a compulsory or optional subject at graduation level or the medium of graduation examination should be English; or

2.     If the candidate has done post-graduation in English from a recognized university, he/she should have Hindi as a compulsory or elective subject at graduation level or should Hindi be the medium of graduation examination; or

3.     If the candidate has done post-graduation from a recognized university in any subject other than Hindi or English subject and is Hindi the medium of examination, English should be a compulsory or optional subject at graduation level or the medium of graduation examination should be English; or

4.     If the candidate has done post-graduation from a recognized university in any subject other than Hindi or English subject and the medium of examination has been English, then Hindi should be as a compulsory or optional subject at graduation level or should Hindi be the medium of graduation examination; and

5.    Candidate should have done Diploma or Certificate Course in translation from English into Hindi and vice versa or two year experience in translation from English into Hindi and vice versa in Central or State Government offices including Government of India Undertakings.

To become a government translator, a candidate must have a Post Graduate Translation Diploma (PGDT). While in some cases a two year experience in translation from Hindi to English and vice versa in a Central or State Government office, including Government of India Undertakings, is sought as an alternative to PGDT, but PGDT is mandatory in most cases. This diploma course is offered as a regular course by many universities including Delhi University, while some government or government-aided institutions also offer as part-time courses. In addition, many Open Universities including Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) also provide facility to conduct this course through correspondence mode. Diplomas obtained from all these Universities/Open Universities/Institutes are valid for becoming Government Translators.

Age Limit to become a Government Translator

     In general, the age limit to become a government translator is 18 to 30 years. However, as per Government rules, relaxation in maximum age limit is granted to SC (5 years)/ST (5 years)/OBC (3 years)/PwD (Unreserved) (10 years)/PwD (OBC) (13 years)/PwD (SC/ST) (15 years)/Ex-servicemen (3 years) category.

How do you prepare to become a Government Translator?

    Candidates wishing to become a Government Translator should first ensure that they have the necessary educational qualifications to become a Government Translator. Many a times it is seen that due to lack of clarity about the essential educational qualifications and experience, wherever required, the candidates are excluded from the selection process at the time of final stage of selection process i.e. Verification of Documents (DV). When you are sure that you are eligible to apply as per the recruitment advertisement then apply carefully. This way, once you have applied it is certain that you will get an opportunity to appear in the examination(s) under the selection process. Therefore, one should start preparing according to the syllabus given in the recruitment advertisement. The syllabus related to the recruitment of translators in government organizations may vary, so preparations should be done according to the prescribed syllabus. It has been seen many times that in cases where there are two papers (Hindi and English language knowledge etc. and practical translation and essay writing etc.), the candidates initially pay attention to only question paper one and think that when they pass the first question paper and enter the second round when they will prepare for paper two. There is not a long gap between the result of paper one and the examination of paper two due to which there is not enough time for preparation of paper two and final selection is not done despite getting good marks in paper one. So, preparation of both the papers should be done simultaneously.

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