Dimapur, June 6 (MExN): Candidates have expressed resentment at what they called the frequent changes that Nagaland Public Services Commission (NPSC) keeps affecting on its syllabus every year according to its ‘whims and fancies’.
A group of peeved NPSC candidates from various parts of the state, in a joint letter to the premier state services recruiting agency, have expressed resentment at the NPSC advertisement dated Kohima, 12th April 2006, 6/93 No., where it was stated that the list of subjects will include General English. However on receiving the main examinations’ admit card, the aspirants said they were shocked to see that the General English Paper would be held only on June 30 from 1:30 pm to 4:30 pm after the General Knowledge and Current affairs paper ( from 9:30 am to 12:30 noon).
“We would like to state clearly to the Controller of Examinations that why is this premier recruiting service body in the state changes its syllabus every year at its whims and fancies like a chameleon changing its colors” the letter questioned. The candidates maintained that in no printed dailies, publications or any of its departmental bulletins has the NPSC stated that General English paper would be included for the Mains 2006 and rather, it just stated in its advertisement mentioned earlier to collect the syllabi from its office from April 20, 2006 onwards. “When the aspirants applied for it, only the optional paper syllabus was given. We want to question the NPSC why no proper/prior notification was given beforehand and the inclusion of General English made known only in the admit card?” the candidates asked. “Thanks to the postal department as we got our admit cards and came to know about it sooner. But look at the plight of others who are yet to get theirs and do not know about this yet” it was added.
The candidates also related the changes the syllabus had undergone over the years. In 2001, the NPSC had felt the need to adapt with the changing times so preliminary examinations were introduced with General English Paper and General Studies (Objectives), the candidates informed. In 2002 and 2003 it introduced the Negative Marking System to select only the ‘serious candidates’ with General English and General Studies (Objectives) and descriptive type in the Mains, it pointed out. Then in 2005, the examination pattern and ‘style’ was changed with no Negative Marking System in the General Studies paper and General English. “Whereas this year 2006, the preliminary exam was conducted on April 1, 2006 with only General Studies’ paper without the General English paper sans negative Marks. Results were declared within a week” the candidates stated.
