Kerala: Public Service Commission asks its panel to study exam changes

Thiruvananthapuram: The Public Service Commission has asked its academic committee to study the proposed changes in the conduct of examinations, including a two-tier system consisting of a qualifying examination and a final examination, introducing aptitude test for posts needing professional skills and preparation of question banks. Mr Lopez Mathew, convenor of the academic committee of the PSC, told Deccan Chronicle that a final decision on the changes would be taken only after the committee studied the proposal. However, there was need to change the system as it now helped only students who attended coaching classes, Mr Mathew said.

Sources said that the proposal was to conduct a preliminary examination and prepare a shortlist and conduct the final selection examinations for those included in the shortlist. The commission would do away with the present system of conducting different examinations for recruiting candidates for various posts in various departments with the same salary scale and qualifications. One examination will be conducted for all these posts as per the proposal. It is proposed to prepare questions to test the domain knowledge needed for each job instead of asking general questions from subjects like history, language and general knowledge.

The jobs would be divided into many levels, like posts meant for SSLC-failed and passed candidates, and those who have passed higher secondary, post-graduation, and professional courses. Question banks would be prepared according to the nature and depth needed for each course. The commission would appoint a panel of experts to prepare the questions according to the qualifications prescribed for various posts, the proposal said.