Consensus on online test for PSCs; uniform pay scale

Tribune News Service

Shimla, April 19

The three-day 17th national conference of chairpersons of State Public Service Commission (PSCs) concluded today with consensus on introduction of CBRT (Computer-Based Recruitment Test) and uniformity in pay scales and perks of chairpersons and members of UPSC and state PSCs.

“The issue of introduction of online examination system/CBRT was dwelt upon and there was consensus among the members on holding CBRT or online test for selection of candidates for recruitment by various state service candidates in a phased manner,” said KS Tomar, Chairman, Himachal Pradesh Service Commission (HPPSC), which hosted the conference.

Tomar who replaced Bihar PSC Chairman KC Saha as Chairperson of the Standing Committee of State PSC Service Commissions, said the members were also unanimous on uniformity in pay scales and perks of chairpersons and members of the UPSC and state PSCs and raising the retirement age of members from 62 to 65 years.

Besides raising the retirement age of chairpersons and members of state PSCs, issues such as financial autonomy of PSCs, constitutional protection on the pattern of Supreme Court and High Court judges to check political interference by state governments in functioning of PSCs would also be taken up with the Prime Minister, Tomar said.

The issue of online examination dominated the deliberations and UPSC chairman Deepak Gupta and chairpersons of all PSC agreed to introduce new system after creating suitable infrastructure, which will protect the secrecy and sanctity of various written competition examinations.

Deepak Gupta said the UPSC had introduced CBRT as a pilot project in 2011 and conducted 22 online tests in nine cities and “with technological advancements, in the field of hardware, networking, internet speed etc., the possibility of conducting CBRT in normal examinations would also be explored”.

On various interim orders being passed by high courts/administrative tribunals in favour of candidates who fail to qualify for interviews, Maharashtra PSC circulated a paper to chairpersons.