Aspirants oppose JKPSC's decision to conduct only mains exam

Srinagar, Aug 2: The aspirants for the post of Assistant Director Planning in Jammu and Kashmir are opposing the Jammu and Kashmir Public Service Commission (JKPSC) decision to conduct only the mains examination, skipping the preliminary exam entirely in the recruitment process.

The aggrieved candidates questioned the JKPSC decision to conduct mains directly saying that it was the first time that such a decision was taken despite having a huge number of applicants.

“Last year there were only 3000 applicants but this year the number of applicants is over 6500. How can they directly conduct Mains exams for the posts? The decision will ruin the future prospectus of the aspirants,” an aggrieved aspirant told Greater Kashmir. Earlier in January 2024 the JKPSC issued notification and announced the conduct of the preliminary exam of the aspirants.

The aspirants said that in the initial examination calendar released by JKPSC, it was explicitly stated that the selection process would begin with a preliminary examination, followed by mains and an interview. “This standard three-tier process is widely recognised for its thoroughness in assessing candidates,” the aspirants said.

However, two months later, aspirants were taken aback when JKPSC issued a revised calendar, announcing the decision to eliminate the preliminary examination and proceed directly to the Mains. “This sudden shift in the selection procedure has left all the candidates in a state of despair,” the aspirants said.

They said that the aspirants approached JKPSC to seek clarification, but since the commission was without members until June, they were informed that a decision would be made once the new members get appointed. “But, even before the new members assumed their roles in June, JKPSC had already released the updated calendar, confirming that only the mains examination would be conducted,” the aspirants said.

Following this, the candidates filed a case with the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) in Jammu. “The tribunal issued a directive to JKPSC, instructing the commission to adhere to the original three-tier examination process, which includes the preliminary exam. But despite the tribunal's directive, JKPSC is adamant to conduct only the mains examination and the interview,” the aspirants said. The aspirants said the move has sparked widespread frustration and anger among the candidates who are apprehensive about their career aspirations and hard work being undermined by the Commission.

"The decision taken by JKPSC to bypass the preliminary examination is unjust and unfair. We demand that JKPSC respect the tribunal's order and conduct the exam as originally planned," another aspirant said. The candidates have also submitted a representation to Chairman JKPSC and submitted that for previous recruitment of the same post in 2011 and 2017, JKPSC had conducted prelims.

“This is for the first time that JKPSC is conducting Mains directly without prelims for the said posts. This decision raises serious questions about the integrity and transparency of the current process, particularly in light of the substantial number of applicants—over 6500 for just 98 posts,” the application reads.

It reads that according to the JKPSC Conduct of Business Rules, a preliminary examination should be conducted when the number of candidates is unduly large, with more than 70 candidates competing for each post.

“The current situation clearly meets this criterion. Historically, JKPSC has maintained a ratio of 1:25 for the mains examination, conducting mains for only 25 candidates per post. However, bypassing the preliminary examination this time means conducting mains for all 6500 candidates, which seems impractical and inconsistent with past practices,” it reads.

Secretary JKPSC, Bashir Ahmad Dar when contacted said that the recruitment process was being executed as per the appointment rules of 1976 wherein it is clearly stated that exam for the posts will be held in two stages. “It has been mentioned that there will be a written examination and interview. We are following the same rule,” he told Greater Kashmir.

Referring to the claims that previous exams were held in a three- tier system he said the rules in the past would mention about preliminary, mains and interview. “The rules in vogue are of 2022 in which there is no special provision for aspirants of Assistant Director Planning,” he said.

On CAT directions Secretary JKPSC said that the Court has stated that PSC should consider application of the applicants and issue a speaking order regarding the same. “In compliance with the directions received from CAT, we dispose of their application which the aspirants have preferred before the Court. Later, we will take further decisions,” he said.