In the Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC), over 900 women have applied for the job of driver-cum-conductor. Currently, MSRTC does not have any woman driver so this could be the first batch of women drivers. A total of 932 women have applied for the post where there is a vacancy for 2,406 people. This could be the first batch of women drivers directly hired by MSRTC. They would go through written and technical tests to get the post.

Currently, MSRTC is training 20-odd tribal women to be drivers under a special category. The women haven't joined as drivers yet. The applicants for the post of driver-cum-conductor posts need to have passed Class 10 and clear a written test on February 24. According to a report in The Times of India, the procedure to get the post has been made simpler this year. The development comes after none of the 450 women who appeared for the tests couldn't clear during a similar recruitment drive in 2017. While some couldn't clear the written tests, some failed the physical or technical requirements. Jammu and Kashmir: Indian Army’s Recruitment Drive in Baramulla District Attracts Kashmiri Youth.

According to recently set norms, the minimum height has been lowered from 160 cm to 153 cm. Also, the experience required in driving light motor vehicles has been reduced from three years to one year. The transport department is also planning to give some selected women training for a year in driving heavy vehicles. During the training period, the selected ones will be given a stipend.

The transport ministry has announced a recruitment drive for 8,022 posts and received over 42,000 applicants. Out of which 2,406 would be for candidates from the state's 12 drought-prone districts. Now, out of 35,000 conductors in Maharashtra, 4,500 are women. If recruited these women will also have to do night shifts like their fellow male colleagues.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Feb 20, 2019 02:21 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).