Exam Controller arrest: Irregularities, exam cancellations dent UPPSC credibility
Vinod Khanal | TNN | Jun 1, 2019, 21:47 IST
LUCKNOW: The arrest of Uttar Pradesh Public Service Commission (UPPSC) examination controller Anju Katiyar on charges of corruption in the paper leak case and postponement of 10 recruitment exams scheduled till December-end have dented the credibility of the commission already facing CBI probe over allegations of irregularities in exams conducted from 2012 to 2017.
UPPSC has suffered a setback to its image as it postponed, quashed or amended 16 exams in last six years due to controversies.
Following the alleged irregularities, the central government, on the recommendation of state government, had passed an order for CBI inquiry into the selections made by UPPSC between April 2012 and March 2017. Presently, the apex investigation agency is probing 584 results through which recruitment was done for 19,000 posts, including 362 deputy collectors and deputy SP.
SP (CBI) has also filed an FIR against unnamed UPPSC officials after probe. UPPSC, however, failed to take cognisance of the irregularities despite the ongoing probe.
The alleged irregularities in UPPSC started with the appointment of chairman, Anil Yadav, whose tenure from 2013, till his removal by Allahabad high court in 2015, was marred by controversies. He had on May 27, 2013, passed a proposal implementing three-tier reservation policy. As per the new policy, quota had to be implemented in all the stages of exams — preliminary, mains and interview — instead of in final list of selected candidates.
The change was implemented from interviews of Provincial Civil Service (PCS)-2011 examination held from May 26, 2013. Several aspirants filed petitions in Allahabad high court challenging the sudden change in policy.
The court had reserved its order, but UPPSC cancelled the PCS (mains) exams result and interview dates before the judgment.
In 2013, candidates once again moved Allahabad high court after UPPSC asked 15 wrong questions in PCS (Judicial) exams-2013. The court instructed UPPSC to constitute a panel of experts to probe the matter. Later, HC directed UPPSC to amend the result on the recommendation of the panel.
In 2015, question paper of PCS (prelims)-2015 was leaked through messaging apps while exams were being held. UPPSC cancelled the exams and re-conducted them. The result of Combined State Lower Subordinate Exam-2013 was also cancelled after Supreme Court issued a direction while hearing a petition on non-inclusion of overage candidates in the exam.
In 2016, around 100 candidates filed a petition in court after UPPSC failed to address the discrepancies in PCS (prelims)-2016 exams. The court directed the commission to re-evaluate answer copies of all the candidates who had appeared in the exam.
In 2017, state government had to order CB-CID probe in the review officer/assistant review officer exams-2017 when irregularities surfaced in the exam.
Now, 10 exams, including PCS (mains)-2018, have been cancelled since the examination controller was found conniving with printing press owner in leaking question paper.
UPPSC secretary Jagdish told TOI that there have been lapses but efforts are being made to remove them by introducing transparency.
UPPSC has suffered a setback to its image as it postponed, quashed or amended 16 exams in last six years due to controversies.
Following the alleged irregularities, the central government, on the recommendation of state government, had passed an order for CBI inquiry into the selections made by UPPSC between April 2012 and March 2017. Presently, the apex investigation agency is probing 584 results through which recruitment was done for 19,000 posts, including 362 deputy collectors and deputy SP.
SP (CBI) has also filed an FIR against unnamed UPPSC officials after probe. UPPSC, however, failed to take cognisance of the irregularities despite the ongoing probe.
The alleged irregularities in UPPSC started with the appointment of chairman, Anil Yadav, whose tenure from 2013, till his removal by Allahabad high court in 2015, was marred by controversies. He had on May 27, 2013, passed a proposal implementing three-tier reservation policy. As per the new policy, quota had to be implemented in all the stages of exams — preliminary, mains and interview — instead of in final list of selected candidates.
The change was implemented from interviews of Provincial Civil Service (PCS)-2011 examination held from May 26, 2013. Several aspirants filed petitions in Allahabad high court challenging the sudden change in policy.
The court had reserved its order, but UPPSC cancelled the PCS (mains) exams result and interview dates before the judgment.
In 2013, candidates once again moved Allahabad high court after UPPSC asked 15 wrong questions in PCS (Judicial) exams-2013. The court instructed UPPSC to constitute a panel of experts to probe the matter. Later, HC directed UPPSC to amend the result on the recommendation of the panel.
In 2015, question paper of PCS (prelims)-2015 was leaked through messaging apps while exams were being held. UPPSC cancelled the exams and re-conducted them. The result of Combined State Lower Subordinate Exam-2013 was also cancelled after Supreme Court issued a direction while hearing a petition on non-inclusion of overage candidates in the exam.
In 2016, around 100 candidates filed a petition in court after UPPSC failed to address the discrepancies in PCS (prelims)-2016 exams. The court directed the commission to re-evaluate answer copies of all the candidates who had appeared in the exam.
In 2017, state government had to order CB-CID probe in the review officer/assistant review officer exams-2017 when irregularities surfaced in the exam.
Now, 10 exams, including PCS (mains)-2018, have been cancelled since the examination controller was found conniving with printing press owner in leaking question paper.
UPPSC secretary Jagdish told TOI that there have been lapses but efforts are being made to remove them by introducing transparency.
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