Literal translation of questions in KPSC exams, a threat

 Literal translation of words from English to Kannada by those who set question papers for KPSC exams has snatched away the careers of many aspirants, said retired Geology professor P Mallappa.

He was addressing civil service aspirants at the ‘Training for IAS, IPS and other competitive exams workshop’, organised by the Karnataka State Open University Competitive Exams Training Centre, here on Monday. He remarked that those who prepare question papers, were seen making verbatim translation of the words, which had cost the careers of aspirants career at large.

Citing examples he said that in one of the papers, a question was asked about ‘Operation Flood’, (milk revolution), and the person responsible for setting the paper had translated the same to Kannada as ‘Pravaha’, meaning floods in the language. Students who attempted the question in Kannada wrote about floods caused by rains. The matter was brought to notice during evaluation, and it was decided that students should be given marks for same. “There are so many such examples and officials must make note of it, so that the careers of aspirants are not jeopardised,” he said.

On the occasion, two IPS probationers from Karnataka, Dr Bhimashankar S G, and G Radhika gave tips to aspirants about cracking the exams. Radhika, who is an engineering student from Bangalore, said that one should have a holistic approach to competitive exams. “Try to take breaks in between studies, and relax,” she added.

Bhimashankar from Gulbarga district said that percentage of candidates from elite classes cracking competitive exams had come down drastically. He also said that aspirants should not get into civil services thinking that they can make money through illegal means.
Bhimshankar who hails from a poor family, completed his MBBS, and started practicing medicine at a village. He later went to Delhi for IPS coaching. Alongside coaching classes, he also took up a job, and cleared his exams.