KPSC exam pattern to change

Modified system includes five compulsory papers, sans optionals

A sub-committee constituted by the Commission is likely to table its report recommending the new system in a couple of weeks and gazette notification is expected by January next year.

Transparency

The new structure aims to put an end to unnecessary delay in completing recruitment process, reduce scope for political intervention in government appointments, bring in more transparency, introduce corporate work culture and enable candidates to equip themselves with latest administrative skills such as e-governance.

The proposed structure comprises limited number of subjects, negative marking system and restricted ratio for mains and interviews. It eliminates optional subject system (at present there are 30 subjects) and will have five papers, all compulsory.

Prelims

There will be one paper in the preliminary round with 150 questions, each carrying two marks. Half a mark will be deducted for each wrong answer.

The main examination comprises five compulsory papers in three categories - Essay, Humanities and Science. Excluding the Essay paper, other will have 20 units dealing with varied issues instead of specific issues. The units in the papers are such that candidate of any background will find it comfortable to study and answer.

There will be 40 questions in the examination, two from each unit. But, it is compulsory to answer questions from all 20 units. Each paper will be for 200 marks, each question carrying 10 marks. Limited number of answer sheets will be given to candidates for answering within the given space. Three different evaluators will evaluate answer scripts.

Another feature is change in the ratio for mains and interview. Instead of the 1:20 from prelims to mains, it will be 1:5 and instead of 1:5 from mains to interview it will be 1:3.
The Commission is planning to invite applications for several posts early next year and candidates will have to follow the new structure, highly placed sources in the KPSC told Deccan Herald.

It took nearly one-and-half years for the sub-committee to finalise the report. The committee members held deliberations with retired vice-chancellors, experts and professors and visited Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala and other states to study the structure of their public service commissions, added the sources.

“We have come with the new structure to reduce political intervention in appointments and ensure justice to meritorious and eligible candidates,” said a KPSC member.
The modification of the examination process was taken up following demand by the candidates that the testing system should meet the present-day requirements.