Candidates concerned over PSC preliminary exam question cancellations

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Candidates are expressing concerns over the cancellation of questions in the PSC Graduate Level Preliminary Examination, especially with differing numbers of cancelled questions in Phase I, II and III exams. This discrepancy is causing anxiety about how mark equalization will be effectively implemented.

A total of 31 questions were cancelled after the evaluation was finalized. Specifically, 16 questions were canceled in the third phase, including 9 out of the first 10 questions. Consequently, the scoring will be based on 84 marks instead of the full 100.

In the first phase, 7 questions were cancelled and in the second phase, 8 questions were cancelled. This results in scoring based on 93 questions in the first phase, 92 in the second phase and 84 in the third phase. Candidates worry that preparing the rank list under these circumstances will be challenging.

The preliminary examination was conducted during MK Zakir's tenure as PSC Chairman. Due to issues with mark equalization, the preliminary examination was waived for class 10th and plus two-level exams.

PSC has a procedure to omit questions if no correct answer is found among the four options, based on complaints received post-exam. Previously, omitting questions was rare, but it has become more frequent in recent years, undermining the credibility of the PSC. Candidates argue that the inconsistent number of omitted questions across different exam phases will impact the cut-off marks.

The examination dates were May 11, 25 and June 15, with a total of 3,35,290 candidates. The exam covered 11 posts, including Secretary in the Local Government Department, Excise Inspector, Sub-Inspector of Police, Assistant Manager at Kerala Bank and Marketing Organizer at Milma.