This time PSC leaves candidates in wrong question dilemma

Recruiting agencies do it again

PS Bali JAMMU, Oct 3: Score of aspirants, who took the Combined Competitive Exam (CCE) Preliminary Examinations 2013 on September 29, were disappointed with some questions made by the Jammu and Kashmir Public Service Commission (JKPSC). Aspirants claim that all answers given as the options in several multiple choice questions were wrong. "It is disappointing on the part of JKPSC. The political science optional paper carried some questions, either with altogether wrong options or wrongly typed options, leaving aspirant in State of confusion," said an aspirant, wishing anonymity. He added that they (JKPSC) chose particular set of question papers without further scrutinizing it, which is very unfortunate. He feared that in competitive exams, even a single point counts and, "JKPSC has made a blunder by putting couple of wrong questions, which may decide merit and throw meritorious aspirants out of list," he rued. Most aspirants lamented that besides wrong answer options; some questions had typing error, which provided two correct answer options for same question. "Now, it is not known which option would be considered as correct," said aspirants. Citing few examples from the question paper, aspirants said that one question of political science asks "The three lists dividing powers between the State and the Union are described in the schedule: and its options were a) 4th b) 6th c) 9th and d) 10th. But, the right answer for this question is 7th schedule, which was missing from the options," said aspirants. Quoting another example of typing error, aspirants said that one question, "The joint sitting of Parliament is prescribed by, a) President of India: b) Vice President of India, c) Speaker of Lok sabha and d) senior most member of Parliament." Aspirants claimed that in this question they get confused with the question itself as it invites two correct answers. One is president (if paper setter has used term prescribe) and another is Speaker, if there is a typing error in the question. "Because as far as the question is concerned 'Prescribe' is not the word and it is used instead of 'Preside'," claimed aspirant. However, political science aspirants cried over couple of more such wrong questions. They demanded full points for aspirants for every such question after proper scrutiny of the questions. Various coaching centers also supported plight of aspirants and demanded justice for aspirants. Number of aspirants from other subjects also protested ill-structured question papers and expressed worries pertaining to irrational system of setting question papers. However, official sources in JKPSC revealed that question paper is not devised in the State and is brought from outside. "Only Chairman and controller of the examinations know about the content of the question papers. JKPSC receives more than two sets of question papers from different sources, which is finally decided by Chairman," said official sources on the condition of anonymity. He even disclosed that most of the times, the entire paper is copied from previous question papers of UPSC and other competitive books. "The paper setters are not habitual of setting papers for Jammu and Kashmir Public Service Commission, therefore take this exercise lightly. They copy questions from previous question papers and sometimes copy the entire streak of question from regular books available in the market," shared sources. It is pertinent to mention here that over 21,000 aspirants at 35 centers including 22 in Jammu and 13 in Srinagar appeared in the exam vying for total 99 administrative posts, across the State. This is not the first time a recruiting agency has left candidates in state of confusion due to its callousness. Earlier, BOPEE had invited sharp criticism for leaving candidates in similar quagmire. Q: The three lists dividing powers between the State and the Union are described in the schedule: a) 4th b) 6th c) 9th d) 10th Q: The joint sitting of Parliament is prescribed by: a) President of India: b) Vice president of India, c) Speaker of Lok sabha d) Senior most member of Parliament." Q The President of India has power to suspend: a) Fundamental Rights described in article 19 b) Fundamental rights and directive principles c) Directive principles d) All fundamental rights Q The resolution for the impeachment of President of India must be supported by: a) 1/3 members b) 1/4 members c) 1/2 members d) 50 members