Kozhikode: The trial by the Public Service Commission (PSC) to conduct the same examination in different stages has served as a backlash for the candidates.
The RTI data revealed that mass failures were reported in the third and fifth stages of the preliminary exams conducted by the PSC for the posts with Class 10 as the minimum eligibility. These are the candidates who had to face relatively difficult questions compared to the other 4 stages.
The exams were conducted from May through July last year. Of these, the candidates who got the cut-off marks would only be shortlisted for the main examination. The shortlist has been published for the candidates who are eligible to write the main exams for the positions of Beverages Corporation (BEVCO) LD Clerk, Village Field Assistant, and Last Grade Servant.
The lowest number of candidates shortlisted for all three positions is from the fifth stage. The next is the third stage as per the number of candidates who cleared the exam. The highest number of eligible candidates who cleared the prelims are from the fourth stage. Only half the number of candidates shortlisted from the fourth stage could clear the fifth stage.
The candidates have decided to move the Court alleging that this change was not fair for all. The PSC had decided to conduct the examination in 6 stages pointing out that there are about 12 lakh applicants. Complaints had risen then itself that the standard of examination for all stages was not the same.
However, the then PSC chairman M K Sakkeer had said it was a mere apprehension and concern. He explained that the candidates from all stages would get an equal opportunity when the marks were consolidated. However, this ‘statement’ is not true, reveals the RTI data.
The system of conducting one preliminary exam for all the positions with the same eligibility criteria, and a main exam for the candidates who qualify from the preliminary exam with minimum cut-off marks, was implemented two years ago. Allegations had surfaced earlier that the mark consolidation was not accurate in both years.
Earlier, if one candidate could not clear the exam for one particular position, he or she could attempt the exams for other positions with the same eligibility. With the implementation of the new system, the candidates lost that opportunity too.