The Kerala Public Service Commission (PSC) is all set to host the National Convention of PSC chairpersons from across the country on April 15 and 16, after a gap of 14 years.
In an interview to The Hindu ahead of the convention, PSC Chairman M.K. Sakeer says that the event that is aimed at sharing the best practices among the various PSCs will provide a platform for the Kerala PSC to showcase its achievements, which includes maximum number of job selections, a new examination management system, and expansion of its online examination facilities.
"Many other States have several recruitment boards, with the PSCs carrying out a lesser number of recruitments. Compared to that, in Kerala, the PSC is carrying out most recruitments, following the principle that civil or public service recruitments have to be done through Constitutional bodies. When it is done this way, we can ensure reservation as a whole to backward communities and the physically handicapped. Instead of outsourcing the conducting of examinations to private agencies, the PSC is doing it on its own. Now, the responsibility of recruitment to most universities and the Kerala Bank has also been added to the PSC," says Mr. Sakeer.
According to Mr. Sakeer, the PSC conducts more than 300 examinations annually, with 80-90 lakh people appearing for these. The implementation of the preliminary examination, despite protests, has helped in reducing malpractices. While around 17 lakh people appear for the preliminary examination, 25,000 are shortlisted for the final examination. The system is a paradigm shift from the earlier method of elimination to meritorious selection.
"All posts, from last grade servant to the Kerala Administrative Service, are selected through the same process, as they are all dealing with issues related to the public," he says.
On the protests for extension of various rank lists and the PSC's reluctance to do the same, he says that the PSC also has to think about the lakhs of aspirants waiting for inclusion in the next list.
"There is a legitimate period of expectancy around a rank list. It is unfair to the others waiting in the line for the next rank list to extend the existing list beyond the stipulated period. Maximum number of recruitments possible are made during this period. Around five times the number of openings are included on the rank list, to ensure adequate representation for reservation categories," he says.
The examination pattern has been changed to a descriptive model for KAS and gazetted posts. The online examination facilities across the State that has 15,000 seats at present will be expanded to 30,000 seats. Digital evaluation will also be implemented.
