March 27th 2025.
The Parliamentary Committee proposed a new measure to enhance the credibility, fairness, and confidence of candidates in the civil services preliminary examination. They suggested that the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) release the answer key immediately after the exam. This exam is conducted annually by the UPSC in three stages - prelims, mains, and interview - to select officers for prestigious positions like the Indian Foreign Service, Indian Administrative Service, and Indian Police Service.
During a meeting, the Commission informed the committee that they currently publish the answer key only after completing the entire selection process. However, the committee raised concerns about this practice, stating that it delays the candidates' ability to challenge any potential errors before proceeding to the next stage. This can undermine transparency and fairness and even demoralize the candidates. The committee emphasized that releasing the answer key immediately after the preliminary exam and giving candidates the opportunity to raise objections would address these concerns.
The committee also recommended that the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) set a clear timeline for implementing the recommendations of the Baswan Committee. This committee was formed to study the impact of changes made in the civil services exam's scheme and syllabus on both the administration and candidates. The DoPT informed the committee that the Baswan Committee has submitted its report, which is currently under examination. The committee further recommended the formation of a dedicated team to prioritize key issues such as answer key disclosures and examination structure. They also suggested conducting stakeholder consultations, including candidates and subject experts, to bring about effective and visible reforms.
The report stressed the importance of regular progress updates to maintain transparency and accountability. It also recommended that if any of the recommendations require policy changes, they should be promptly escalated for government approval. The committee believes that a structured implementation roadmap will not only modernize the UPSC examination process but also address concerns about fairness, transparency, and efficiency. Overall, these measures will help in maintaining the credibility and confidence of candidates in the civil services examination.
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