'B' for 53 consecutive questions; Controversy erupts over PSC's answer key

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The controversy intensified when the final answer key for the PSC's Economics and Statistics Department's Research Officer exam was published the other day. The question paper was prepared in a way that the answer to 54 consecutive questions was option B. Four out of a hundred questions were cancelled.

There were allegations that it was a collusion to help those 'favourites' who did not know the answer. The PSC published the final answer key the other day without caring much about the allegations. Questions also remain over the hurry shown in preparing the shortlist. Permission for the shortlist is allowed only after publishing the normal answer key and conducting the evaluation. This procedure was also violated despite the Crime Branch investigating the PSC.

The answer to question number 20 was corrected to A according to the A code. Question numbers 14, 38, 43, and 88 were cancelled.

The candidates had filed a complaint with the PSC, the Chief Minister, and the Special Investigation Team of the Crime Branch. The final answer key was published after the expert committee appointed by the PSC reported that the complaint was not valid. The shortlist will be published soon after the evaluation.

The fact that the proposal for the Research Officer examination was presented in the Selection Proposal Commission meeting before publishing the final answer key, and the meeting giving permission to publish the shortlist paved the way for another controversy.

The candidates alleged a mystery in the move to publish the shortlist before the Crime Branch began its investigation into these examination irregularities.