Recently, the Jammu and Kashmir Public Service Commission (JKPSC) released the result of the Combined Competitive Examination (CCE) 2023 preliminary exam which was riddled with errors. JKPSC has earned the trust of aspirants over the years due to its efficient working. Therefore, when aspirants, such as I, found glaring errors in the final key, it came as a huge surprise to us. Over 10-12 questions in the new key have been revised incorrectly according to many serious aspirants. The errors are so obvious that they can be easily identified by sources as basic as the NCERTs. How experts have overlooked such evident errors is baffling.
Two answer keys were issued by JKPSC for the CCE prelims examination. In the key considered final, many answers have been unexpectedly revised and are incorrect. This has played against aspirants who have found themselves out of the final selection list even after performing well in the examination.
What’s important to note is that aspirants are judicious and careful in the number of questions they attempt. Therefore, 10-12 questions are decisive in their selection. Even one oversight can jeopardise their chances in an exam where each incorrect answer earns candidates negative marks. With questions being deleted and revised willy-nilly, many aspirants lose the opportunity to compete fairly.
As per media reports and aspirants who have filed representations challenging the final key, JKPSC is insisting on entertaining revisions to two questions only. The passion with which the final key is being defended by JKPSC is confusing as the aspirants’ challenges to the revised key agree with the first key issued by JKPSC itself. How is it that the first key was approved by experts and subsequently altered to such an extent? What qualifies the second set of experts (who have evaluated the final key) over the first set of experts (who had evaluated the first key)?
While it is normal for a few revisions to happen, how is it that such extensive revisions have been made with so many aspirants vouching for the first key with proofs?
An institution trusted by the young in a place where opportunities don’t come easy, must prioritise aspirants’ concerns instead of being unnecessarily protective about its image or the fear of some extra administrative work.
It is admirable that JKPSC has been democratic and welcoming towards aggrieved aspirants. One can only hope that it remains committed to the interests of aspirants and ensures that it meets the standards it has set for itself.
- An Aggrieved Aspirant
Views expressed in the article/letter are the author’s own and do not necessarily represent the editorial stance of Kashmir Observer
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