DIMAPUR, OCTOBER 4 (MExN): The Public Service Aspirants of Nagaland (PSAN) today submitted a representation to the Nagaland State Chief Secretary proposing suggestions towards revamping the NPSC examination system.
A press note from the PSAN informed that it had set up a subcommittee to “study the loopholes and find out areas of improvement in the NPSC examination system.”
As part of the subcommittee’s suggestio0ns, the PSAN asked that the NPSC reduce the total interview marks from the present 75 to 50.
It also suggested that in line with the system practiced by the UPSC, the NPSC should also set maximum and minimum benchmarks in the viva voce examination. It may be noted that the UPSC maintains a minimum of 50 per cent and a maximum of 75 percent in the viva voce with marks ranging from 140 to 206 out of the total 275 marks.
“The current practice of awarding marks in the viva voce by the NPSC is irrational, random and unbecoming of the highest recruiting body,” the PSAN viewed and said that NPSC should maintain a mark range of minimum 50% and a maximum of 75% in the viva voce.
It further stated that as followed by UPSC, marks scored by candidates in all the exams conducted by NPSC (NCS, NPS,NSS & Allied Services Exam, Combined Technical Exam, Common Educational Service Exam and any other examinations conducted by NPSC) should be declared on the day of result declaration.
Meanwhile, it also suggested that the mains marks should be kept out of NPSC Board members' knowledge as a precautionary measure against manipulation. “The Secretary and the Controller of Examination (COE) NPSC should be held totally accountable in case of any discrepancies in this issue; and the government should device a mechanism to monitor it,” it added.
The PSAN also called for declaration the waiting list in order of merit on the day of result declaration and that if any candidate does not accept the post, the Commission should declare it in print media/NPSC website and accommodate the candidates in the waiting list in order of merit.
It further stated that the government’s recommendations to the Governor should entail only those persons who are “well qualified, possessing good track record and absolute integrity as NPSC members.” Towards this, the PSAN suggested setting up a screening committee headed by the Chief Secretary.
Other suggestions included the call for the NPSC to complete the entire process of examination in a calendar year unlike the 2016 and 2017 Civil Service exams. It further said the NPSC should consider the aspirant’s convenience while scheduling the examination routine.
Lastly, informing that the UPSC maintains a ratio of one post to 13/14 and that most of the State Public Service Commissions maintain a ratio in the range of 1:9 to 1:13 irrespective of the number of posts advertised, the PSAN urged that the ratio of selection in the NPSC preliminary should be increased to at least 1:10 from the current ratio irrespective of the number of posts advertised.
