Till recently, passing examinations with fake and forged documents and question paper leaks in All India examinations have created sensations in our country. This has not only put a question mark on the integrity of our system but has also proved to be demoralizing for the youth of the country who are aspirants for better prospects after getting higher educational qualifications. Let us now search for the reasons leading to such cases. It is seen that after independence, the population of our country has increased considerably. Though the quality of higher education has often been subject to criticism, it can hardly be denied that there has been a boom in the growth of educational institutions, mostly in the private sector. The craze for technical education has increased as the students and their guardians have taken it to be an easier medium for getting good and paying jobs. It is obvious that institutions offering technical education have started outnumbering institutions meant for general education in the country. There has been an increasing demand for medical, engineering, and other professional courses. Amid stiff competition, students are seeking admission to these courses through All India Entrance Tests conducted by different organizations. Passing out in these tests and then in open competitive examinations by hook or by crook has turned out to be the tendency amongst certain candidates. Large-scale unemployment and the rise in the number of educated and qualified candidates have caused such a scenario. After being familiar with the main reason behind the scams, let us now seek the other reasons and find out their probable solutions.
- Recruiting Agencies – There are recruiting agencies throughout the length and breadth of the country. There are the Union Public Service Commission, the State Public Service Commissions, the Staff Selection Commission, the Railway Recruitment Board, the Banking Services Recruitment Board, and other agencies both in the government and private sector. Certain agencies like the UPSC and the State Public Service Commissions are even endowed with a constitutional status with respect to their status, formation, and functioning. The private bodies and agencies follow their own set of rules and regulations in the recruitment process, while the government and public sector agencies do so conforming to the basic government guidelines.Both the government and non-government agencies should follow utmost integrity and transparency in the recruitment process. The government should see to it that the agencies get the right appointment of dignitaries like the chairman and members after whose appointment it is their duty to act in the most neutral and impartial way. There can be no substitute for honesty and integrity. They should stand above all petty and vested interests. All the agencies should have competent panels to check and countercheck the details of candidates, their educational qualifications, caste, and disability claims before the final selection and appointment. Keeping the scam cases in view, the recruitment agencies should examine where and at what stage the concerned candidates are creating the problem and accordingly take remedial measures.
- The Examination Pattern – The recruitment agencies, through experts, should set and from time to time evaluate the examination pattern keeping in view the type of talent they want to recruit. Agencies recruiting students in general should see to it that the examination pattern suits the interests and skills of all kinds of students. The inclusion of an Aptitude Test in the Civil Services Preliminary Examination by UPSC has sparked large-scale protests amongst students on the ground of its being beneficial for certain students. This must be kept in mind by the agencies. The examination pattern, setting of question papers, and checking of answer sheets by experts in the most professional and confidential way should be given utmost priority. The tendency amongst the agencies to test what the student knows instead of trying to test what he does not know should be there. Reforms where necessary must be brought about from time to time. Since certain subjects are more mark-fetching than others, the examination pattern should be such that it suits all kinds of students. Though nothing much can be done in the optionals as these are open to all candidates, care may be taken in the compulsory papers at all stages. Years back, English literature was not included in the Civil Services Preliminary Examination as an optional. Students of English literature and language were definitely at a disadvantage. They had to compete with other candidates by opting for an optional new to them. Since certain subjects are more mark-fetching, the marks of the Preliminary Examination may be added to the total marks instead of making it a qualifying test. Marks for the interview may also be increased. Otherwise, it is seen that if a candidate has secured cent percent or maximum marks in the written test, he is likely to pass out in the final selection even if he does not score or do well in the interview. Marks scored in objective tests, subjective tests, and interviews in totality may give an overall view of the performance of the candidates. It can also be known as to how a candidate doing extremely well in the subjective written test is scoring in the preliminary objective test. The recruiting agencies are the best judge in the matter and should take steps accordingly as the trends in scoring marks in the various tests are available at their disposal. Changes are a must from time to time in the examination pattern keeping in view the situation. The government may also set up committees and commissions to look into the matter, evaluate the system and come out with suggestions to rectify its ills.
- Coaching Institutions – Two to three decades ago, coaching institutes and tuition classes, particularly for higher education, hardly existed. The increase in the number of students, rise in unemployment problem, craze for technical education and examinations like the Indian Civil Services have led to a boom in such institutions, which may not be bad in the changing circumstances. But integrity must be followed by these institutions instead of doing business and trying to attract students through temptations like procuring question papers and sure seats in All India entrance examinations. It will be good for themselves and the interests of the country if they put stress on quality coaching with experts, classes, and study materials so that they can properly groom the candidates. Some of their involvement in the distribution of false and forged certificates has often come to light, thereby tarnishing the image of even good and reliable institutes. They should desist from it and concentrate on quality coaching.
- Issue of Caste Certificates – Government offices and organizations dealing with the issue of caste certificates must be alert and careful in the matter. They must examine thoroughly the background details of the candidates applying for caste certificates while issuing the same. This should not pose much of a problem when the government issues lists of Scheduled Tribes, Scheduled Castes, and Other Backward Castes and revises the same from time to time. Cases of changing from one category to the other often come to the fore. The issue of creamy and non-creamy layers must also be examined thoroughly. The government can reserve seats in courses and jobs as per the provision and quota of respective castes. But the issuing authority and the recruiting agencies should take utmost care in the matter. The concerned government offices and organizations dealing with it must follow integrity and be corruption-free.
- Medical Board – Medical fitness is a must for any job. The recruiting agency must have its own Medical Board or authorized centers. Medical certificates from unauthorized centers must not be accepted. The students claiming physical disability must be checked thoroughly. The percentage of disability must be closely examined as it involves the rank of the candidate. The provision of the government for the upliftment of physically challenged candidates must not be misutilized. It is often seen that medical tests in the case of successful candidates play a secondary role. So why not keep it prior to the interview for final selection, what to speak of prior to placement. The integrity of the medical board and the panel of doctors appointed for it is a must. The medical test has often been taken as a passing and casual test for the successful candidates. The recruiting agency should thoroughly overhaul the system. The medical test may very well be kept before the final stage like the interview or group discussion so that it is also taken seriously by the candidates. Only the medical board appointed at the venue where the interview is held may be made the final authority in considering the fitness and disability of the candidates. The board with its qualified doctors will thoroughly go through the documents and in case of any doubt may refer the case to the issuing authority. Medical certificates should be issued by only authorized hospitals in the country as listed by the recruiting agencies. Otherwise, there is every possibility of fake and forged certificates being issued.
- Training – In the case of government servants, it is thought that they have entered secured service and will not have any problem in the future. Certain government jobs are cadre-based and have even constitutional status and guarantee. Under no circumstances are they going to lose their job. This may be partly true. But it must not be forgotten that this security of service and even constitutional sanctity is given so that the government or civil servant can serve the interests of the people and the country efficiently and in the best possible way. A government servant or civil servant, as the name signifies, is a servant of the government at the service of the people. A government servant is a servant of the people who in turn elect the government. So in addition to professional training, the idea of service must be inculcated in him and this should be given priority in the training. This will show the right path to the government servants who in turn pass on the message to their children, thereby leaving an indelible impression on society in general and also cementing the idea that government or civil service is not merely a medium for money and power but one to be at the service of the people and the country. This will have an indirect impact on countering the examination scams as the students will stop toying with the idea of hankering after money and power.Ours is a vast country with a huge population. It will really be a Himalayan task to ask for an immaculate system. But awareness, efforts at all levels, transparency, honesty, and integrity along with reforms in the system from time to time may save the situation and make society stay away from most evils of the day.
(The views expressed are the writer’s own)
Mr. Prafulla Kumar Majhi,
Retired Asst. Director, A. I. R, is an eminent Scholar and freelance writer in English & Odia. His areas of interests are sociocultural, economic, literary, historical and analytical studies and writings.
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