Test for Group-I services held after 11 years

HYDERABAD: The first recruitment test for over 500 Group-I services since the formation of Telangana state, conducted by the TS Public Service Commission (TSPSC), was held smoothly on Sunday. Many aspirants found the difficulty level to be quite high.

The notification for recruitment to Group 1 services was last issued in 2011 in erstwhile Andhra Pradesh. Several aspirants were eagerly awaiting another notification, and welcomed it when they got a chance to write the exams. This was reflected in the large number of candidates — 3,80,081 — who registered for the prelims test.

The test was conducted from 10.30 am to 1 pm in 1,019 centres. At some centres, candidates who came later were refused entry.

The commission had notified 503 Group-I posts, which include those of mandal parishad development officers, deputy superintendents of polcie, commercial tax officers, deputy collectors, municipal commissioners-Grade-II and 40 assistant audit officers.

Several candidates said that it was an encouraging sign when the test was announced after a gap of 11 years. They hoped that the next notification would be issued soon.

Thoda Srinivas, who appeared for the test at Loyola Academy Degree and Post Graduate College, Alwal, said, “Many in-depth questions were asked, which can only be answered by those enrolled in coaching centres.”

Partha Saradhi, another aspirant, said that due to many difficult questions, he was unable to attempt all the questions. He said some questions were at UPSC levels.

This sentiment was echoed by many others who wrote the test.