'Conduct online exams to avoid Vyapam-like scam'

State Public Service Commissions' meet explores use of technology in curbing malpractices

With irregularities such as Vyapam scam seriously denting the image of Public Service Commissions in a number of states, use of technology for developing a transparent on-line examination process has been identified as one of the remidies at the 18th National Conference of chairpersons of state PSCs being held here through February 4-5.

Apart from debating use of technologies in conducting on-line examinations, the PSC chairpersons will also hold meeting with a group of IT companies to understand technologies available for creating a fool-proof examination system for admissions and job recruitment.

Currently only 3-4 states are conducting on-line examinations for government jobs and more state PSCs are expected to take a cue from these states to create a system that eliminated or minimised scope for such large scale irregularities.

"We have conducted 9 tests between September and December, 2015 after launching a computer-based recruitment test( CBRT), an on-line system that eliminates human interference and discretion in the selection process. We have also introduced bio-metric system to record the details of candidates at the test centers to avoid the scope for impersonation. We are going to share our experience with the PSCs of other states at the meeting," Ghanta Chakrapani, chairman of Telangana State Public Service Commission said on Monday.

Officials of several IT companies that have already engaged in offering products and services to set up on-line examination systems, would also be interacting with chairmen of state PSCs during the two-day conference, according to him.

Among other issues, chairpersons of the state PSCs will be seeking enhancement of retirement age to 65 from the present 62 level, at par with the Union Public Service Commission chairman and also ask for a greater autonomy in the functioning of the commissions.