KPSC revised interview ratio upsets candidates

Bengaluru: The state government's decision to increase the ratio (from the existing 1:3 to 1:5), for the appointment to posts of gazetted A and B group probationers, has evoked resentment. The gazetted probationers’ examination, which is popularly called the KAS examination, has been marred by accusations of nepotism and corruption for the last few years.

While the Karnataka Public Service Commission (KPSC) was gearing up for the interview process of the 2014 batch, the state government decided to increase the interview ratio. This means the number of candidates called for interviews will be 1:5, in proportion to the number of vacancies, which many allege would only increase corruption.

According to sources, the state government's last-minute decision has forced the KPSC to once again delay the interview process. The source alleges that this increase will allow vested interests to bargain and demand more money from the candidates in the name of ‘stiff competition’.

For the record, the state government has justified the decision, saying it will allow more candidates from rural areas to get selected for the interview and that they will be given the opportunity to perform well in the personality test. But there are other officials who feel that it will lead to more corruption.

“More candidates simply means more bargaining power for vested interests. The 1:3 ratio was fixed on a scientific basis,” explained an officer. Even the candidates who have appeared for the 2014 examination are upset with the revised ratio. They allege that this decision may have been made to favor a few.  "There was no such proposal in the notification. Why has it been changed now? Definitely a few vested interests are trying to push some of their candidates,” alleged a candidate.