- Prologue
- UPSC’s petition in Delhi HC
- UPSC’s grounds for seeking Relief against CIC’s order
- UPSC’s Prayer to Delhi HC
Prologue
- Those who have been in this competition business long enough, know that whenever you file RTI to UPSC seeking answerkey for CSAT, IES, IFoS, CDS, CAPF, APFC or any exam, UPSC doesn’t give the answerkey saying “examination process is not yet complete.” And as you’re aware most of these examinations take average 8-11 months to finish.
- In August 2012, I had filed an RTI seeking answer keys for CSAT 2012 (prelims), UPSC didn’t provide. Finally CIC heard the matter in March 2013, ruled in my favor and ordered UPSC to disclose the answerkey. (Click me for more)
- UPSC decided to challenge his order in the Delhi High court.
- After final result for 2012 was out, UPSC willingly disclosed the answerkey but that’s a different story- the issue was to get the answerkey without having to wait for some 11 months until the entire examination process is over.
- Yesterday (15th July), I received a notice from Delhi HC because UPSC has listed me as respondent. The hearing date is 4th October 2013.
- It also contains copy of the UPSC writ petition: in which UPSC explains why they don’t release the answerkey before the entire examination process is over. I’m copy pasting that portion here:
UPSC’s petition in Delhi HC
……The Learned Central Information Commissioner (CIC) had issued notice to both the parties and thereafter heard their submission; the contentions and genuine concerns raised by the petitioner (UPSC) to the CIC were neglected and unheard and the Learned CIC was please to pass an order dated 01.03.2013 in favour of the respondent (Mrunal).
It is humbly submitted that the CIC has erroneously allowed the Appeals of the respondent (Mrunal) by way of the non-speaking order without properly appreciating and addressing the contentions, genuine concerns and practical difficulties of the Petitioner (UPSC). In view of this, it would be in the fitness if the decision of the Hon’ble Central Information Commission (CIC) regarding the answer keys for the Preliminary Examination 2012 to be supplied to appellant be challenged in this Hon’ble Court by citing the following grounds:-
UPSC’s grounds Seeking Relief against CIC’s order
- That the Learned CIC failed to appreciate that the Petitioner (UPSC) has not denied to disclose the information sought completely rather the Petitioner had informed that once the entire examination process is over the said answer keys will be disclosed to the Respondent (Mrunal). It is submitted that no prejudice shall be caused to the Respondent if the said information is disclosed at the end of the examination process in as much as in any case the answer keys will be relevant to him for the next exam and not the current one.
- There is no larger public interest involved in insisting on disclosure of the answer keys when the examination process is not yet over. It is however, pertinent to point out that larger public interest demands that the information sought is disclosed only once the entire examination process is over and there is not even the remote possibility of the information seeker to use the said information in any adverse manner so as to stall/ impact/ affect the examination process adversely.
- That by divulging the information about the preliminary stage of examination before completion of the entire process of Civil Services Examination (all three stages) could adversely affect the entire examination process on account of frivolous objections/representation from the unsuccessful candidates at this intermediary stage.
- That the impugned order based on the erroneous observation that the preliminary examination is only a qualifying stage having no bearing on the subsequent stages of examination is unfounded in the backdrop that the Rules/notification of the Examination issued by the Government/ Commission considers and treats the entire examination process as one and mentioned as Civil Service Examination which consists of three stages namely 1) Preliminary 2) Main 3) the Personality test.
- That the Rules/notification of the Examination issued by the Government/ Commission are mentioned as Civil Services Examination consisting of three stages of examination. Therefore, each stage cannot be considered as solitary and each stage cannot be singled out as to point out and put as an end of examination.
- That the present case pertains to preliminary stage of Civil Services Examination and is considered to be the first stage of the entire examination process as the said examination consists of Preliminary, the Main and the Personality test, thus forming a part of single continuum and are not standalone.
- That each stage of the Examination is based on certain ratio to be followed so that the unqualified candidates can be eliminated and qualified candidates can be selected from the total number of candidates appeared at each stage.
- Therefore, the process could be considered as complete only after conducting the interviews and finalization of the list of the candidates recommended by the Commission to be forwarded to the Government.
- That the unqualified candidates may make use of the information received by them in respect of the answer keys before the entire selection process/ examination process is over and may institute frivolous complaints/ file court cases without any bases and make false and baseless allegations with the sole malafide intention of stalling the entire process midstream and interfere with the discharge of the Constitutional duties of the Commission within a time bound manner.
- That in I.A No. 1 of 2011 in Special Leave Petition (C) No. 32443 of 2010 passed an order dated 30.09.2011 by the Apex Court whereby it was observed that :
In case, in future the UPSC is faced with any difficulty with regard to supplying information in relation to the examinations, the process of which remains incomplete, it will be open to it to seek appropriate remedies in accordance with law. With the aforesaid observation, IA No.1 stands disposed of.
- Therefore, the information to be disclosed to the respondent will be appropriate after taking due care and diligence only after the completion of the entire process and declaration of the final results of the Civil Services Examination 2012.
- That the Petitioner (UPSC) has not filed any other Petition against the impugned order before this Hon’ble Court or any other competent Court.
- The Petitioner (UPSC) has no other equal efficacious remedy except to file this appeal before this Hon’ble Court against the impugned judgment.
UPSC’s Prayer to Delhi HC
It is, therefore, most respectfully prayed that this Hon’ble Court may be pleased to:
- Allow the present Petition.
- Set aside and quash the impugned order dated 01.03.2013 passed in File No. CIC/SM/A/2012/001599 (Right to information Act-Section 19) passed by the Central Information Commission, New Delhi; and/or
- Pass an appropriate order(s)/ direction(s) as are deemed fit and proper in the facts and circumstances of the present case.
Ref
Scanned copy of the notice received from Delhi HC, on 15th July 2013
https://files.secureserver.net/0sXYYvUJGZSNB6
ok
Hi Mrunal,
While there is no doubt that your effort for bringing in transparency is commendable but I am afraid in this case I think UPSC has a better point.
Being a serious candidate who has left the job and is preparing for civil services, it would be very frustrating if some unsuccessful candidate is able to stay the exam process.
There is no way that every question has an unambiguous answer and I think in such cases we should give the benefit of doubt to paper setter for his answer key.
But if a candidate appeals before the court, the court has to hear his petition and that definitely means a delay.
I gave the Punjab Civil Services exam and cleared the preliminary.
And PPSC conducted the pre with complete transparency and the answer keys and scanned OMR sheets were put up on the website. They even asked for any corrections in the answer key.
Still the result was challenged, there was a delay of 5 months. And whats more even after the court verdict there were petitions challenging that verdict.
Even a week before the mains we were not sure whether mains would be conducted or would there be a further stay. And for someone who is serious in preparation this is mental torture.
There would be many who can’t clear prelims just by 1 or 2 marks. They should accept it and come back stronger the next time rather than file cases and waste everybody’s time (including the judiciary’s).
I am sorry but on this case I hope UPSC wins
How UPSC assumed that complaints that would be filed would be without any bases? I remember, for example, in APFC exam, there was a question in which the options were wrong; that was something Mrunal also talked about.
UPSC is making assumptions. Whether the bases are valid or not would be decided by the court. I think UPSC is unnecessarily apprehensive.
Though they are talking about their own constitutionality, I think they have doubt and lack of faith in the other constitutional body, i.e. judiciary. If court accepts a petition, that means there is a validity in the argument of the petitioner………
Sir, I want to give CSE-2014 with Mechanical Engineering as Optional subject. Can you provide me a source of guidance or strategy for the same?
It seems here r too many votes r on UPSC side, praying 4 the commissions victory, but sorry my friends I may disagree with u most:) As my friend Randeep has earlier given one face of situation, that’s really a nightmare for any serious candidate. But why don’t u look at the other side of the coin?,
this is a way democratic system should work? Perhaps this move by Mrunal would make the whole process more transparent and that too, not only for the UPSC but for All the National and State level Gov. Recrt. For example , UPSC is by far is conducting a large no. of exams through the whole year , and equipped with all the resources and infra, why don’t they set a multi-membered vigilance committee by law(pls Look at Some recent Proceedings and Judgements Spl. In last Couple Of days there u will find many instances A Higher Court Constituting such a body) ,
1.) to look over and monitor the whole process of examination,
2.) to be held responsible for the authenticity for the final-answers,this would save too much precious time and money as this would prevent any immediate stay on the proceedings without being impartial and any Petitioner would think twice before filing any malafide-complaint.
3.) at the same time making it certain they themselves don’t indulge in any kind of malpractices. (i.e. as the five membered panel which takes the personality test, have nothing to do with Preml. or Mains)the point is not to give them direct exect. powers .
4.) THE REAL THING IS WE ALL WOULD LOVE TO SEE THE TRANSPARENCY IN THE SYSTEM (as for Randeep Today, Punjab’s PPSC ex-CHAIRMAN has been convicted for 6 yrs. in the related bribery case ) BUT we r too afraid to clear the mess(may be for we don’t want our hands get messy), & If Some One Is doing that We should at least praise him.
WISH YOU GOOD LUCK MRUNAL!
My friend,
you didn’t understand my point. I am not against transparency. I am against useless and time wasting writs by candidates on the basis of their whims.
The stay on this year’s PCS was not because it was not transparent but because some people found some answers to be ambiguous.
Infact this time PPSC uploaded the answer keys, even the marks of each and every student who appeared in the exam for all to see. Even UPSC is not so transparent.
Still what happened ? No exam setter can ensure that each and every answer is completely unambiguous. Even some questions in UPSC exam do not have clear answers. Now if people file cases the courts would take 3-4 months to decide whether UPSC’s key is right or not.
There’s a difference between ensuring transparency and trying to satisfy everyone who has doubts.
Every one has a right to know their performance, and as long as the exam process is not stayed I don’t have any problem with anything.
One more thing, at the exam center one could see a lot of mature guys sharing their experiences from the year before or may be 2 or so , they could be found repeatedly bragging how they missed the mark last year because they think they were not correctly marked in the Prem. or mains ? perhaps such a move may be remedy for them too.
hi
anyone having idea when will the result for pt 2013 will be declared?
hi aspirant, it ll be declared n july 22nd as enquired and got reply fom upsc.
i am copy pasting a news from pib published on 3rd may 2013″Important Highlights of Civil Services Examination, 2012″
13,092 candidates were declared qualified for the Main written examination held in October, 2012 out of which 2674 candidates were selected for the Personality Test conducted in March-April, 2013. Finally 998 candidates (753 Male & 245 Female) have been recommended for appointment to the IAS, IFS, IPS and other Central Services against 1091 reported vacancies. Vacancies unfilled presently are on account of 92 reserved community candidates qualifying on general standards.
CAN MRUNAL or anyone explain why 92 seats remained unfilled..though in job profiles all seats should be filled that is instead of cutting some general seats Govt should filled all these. Whats the policy here??
What UPSC has claimed is true that if they declare the answer key soon after prelims or after prelims results, there may be candidates who can find an alternate answers and file a petition on the court. This may lead to stalling of entire examination. Im not complaining about those candidates. Given a situation even I will also do that. This is because out of 100 questions 95 questions will be accepted by all. But there will be those 5 to 6 questions where everyone will have a doubt. This is evident from our own murnal blog’s 2013 prelims question analysis. Where people have different opinion on certain questions & they debate about it. Thus there are chances that a question may have more than one answer and that best answer which we select may not necessarily match with UPSC’s key. And with the recent introduction of decision making questions it will make the situation all the more difficult. Each & everyone have their own answers. Already UPSC exam takes one whole year to complete the process if answers declared earlier it may stretch the exam further (through court stay). Also unlike other Public service commission which conducts examinations irregularly like once in every two or three years, UPSC conducts exam regularly i.e. annually. So the point is how to rationally find a solution to it. Where on the one hand we need the exam process to happen regularly (so that atleast some of us will get through lead to reduction of unemployment) on the other hand we need answers immediately after exam or pre results to verify with ours to know where we stand or what went wrong or atleast to get that satisfaction that i am not up to the mark this time and concentrate on next time. Need more thoughts.! Comments are welcome.
1)upsc is right in its argument that disclosing the prelims scores would lead to frivolous complaints(nature of prelims questions are such that scope of debate exists)..this would unfortunately delay the already long process.However this cannot be used to support no-disclosure of prelims keys.The larger public interest clause of RTI which overrides most constraints must facilitate disclosure,atleast by mains exam..administrative inconvenience shouldn’t be used to prevent disclosure in public interest…….. but to ensure that the process remains practically operational,something like disclosure of prelims keys with the safeguard that no complaints would be entertained can be adopted…..
2)upsc has done wonderful job (thanks to mrunal and co)in disclosure of prelims info but one year delay is too long a time..hope it cuts down on it..particularly since is only qualifying in nature
3)upsc is perfectly justified in non-disclosing mains answer-sheets…a subjective exam has to remain subjective and aspirants have to have trust in the subjective-analysis of the invigilator….disclosure would more hurt than benefit public interest as open-disclosure of answer-sheets would result in yet another scramble of mimicking the so-called tried-tested methodology of answer-writing of successful candidates…something which would further fuel coaching-effect.
UPSC has been fair enough till now.Seedhe ka poonch kaat ke bahut labh nahi milega.Kam se kam saal bhar me result to deta hai.UPPCS etc ka to government hi maai baap hai .Saala 2008 ka result 2012 me aata hai.Its gud that pre results are not revealed before entire process.
im reading indian economy by ramesh singh in page 1.16..it s given that governments announcement of higher rate of depreciation will boost the sales of goods..can any1 explain hw it s does??
1)transparency,accountability at the cost of intervention of one organ into the conduct of other(for unnecessary delay )
2)only thinking for those who are going to clear by 1 or 2 marks but not those who work day night and score good marks through out the process…
3)as you know whole process is inter-dependent i.e. suppose somebody clears preliminary and scores good marks in mains but doesn’t have intellect understanding to become an officer will also be allowed because by bringing transparency there will be no need for personality test
4)don’t compare this exam process with other exams
yaar tum yeh baat tab tak nhi smjhoge jab tak tum uss situation me nhi aaoge…agar tumhara 1 number se prelims reh jaye aur ek sahi question tumhara galat kr diya jaye to tum chillaoge ke nhi…???…dnt be a hypocrite…
Mrunal is doing a favour for all of us…n as for ‘frivolous complaints’…its upto UPSC to ask controversy free questions…they let ppl to take question ppr wid dem after xam…so its no harm to upload answerkeys too…they themselves are checking wid keys no…???…in this way…RTI related queries aayengi hi nhi…
@Mayank is Right. WHy not compare this UPSC exam with others. Thought it is the most hardest exam in India it is still a exam & future of lakhs of students depends on it. BY not disclosing anything & not being transparent to aspirants; UPSC is not just being admant but also playing with aspirants like us.
What is that they are afraid off ?
@Amit Kumar – I can understand that whole process is inter-dependent. But personality test will still be needed which will be in the hands of UPSC. NO student has objection to it. If UPSC thinks in the personality test that a particular student is not fit for UPSC posting via interview they can reject him. Every other process except personality test should be made transparable to students.
Dear Mayank,
First of let me make it clear that I am a big fan of Mrunal. My preperation is dependent on his website to a huge extent. Also I have been waiting for the KPSC exam to release the notifications for a long time now. The agony of the wait and the tension wether I will be able to write the exam or not is very painful. Also If this year I would not be able to write the exam, since I am a general candidate in 2 years I will lose one of my attempts. Is that fair?Someone losing one of their attempt because of the delay caused by unrelenting number of petitions. We understand the perspective that it is not fair that people do not clear exam because of the mistake by UPSC.Let us be rational in our perspective that UPSC cannot tone down the level of questions asked.There has to be some questions which tests people and there is some some ambiguity. For example in decision making questions people will always have issues. So how can we deal with it if 50 people file cases against it feeling that their answer was right. You cannot stop it. People will think differently. In case of passages it is an even bigger possibility that you will not agree with the examiners point of view. And in my experience UPSC has not done such gross errors anywhere. There will be an element of luck everywhere my friend and sometimes it might be because the author or the examiners thought process did not match.Last time mains many of the exams got preponed.When we applied for the mains the date given in the notification for electrical exam was 27th oct but in the hal ticket it was 17th october. lot of exams like law etc were preponed too.So I named UPSC “Unpredictable public service commision” and moved on!!! Best of luck!
What a bluf it is what UPSC has said to Delhi High Court. How not disclosing the answer keys can be in larger interest of people ? UPSC should take example of MPSC (Maharashtra Public Service Commission) which follows following method regarding exam:
1. Exam is conducted.
2. Answer key to that particular exam is uploaded within 7 days which is provisional (WEEK 1).
3. Students (WEEK -2, one week alloted for this) are asked to point out any error in the answer key & courier the same along with logical explanation & proof.
4. Then the next week (WEEK 3) they check & update the answer key as per the responses from the students.
5. Then they publish updated answer key on internet (WEEK 4).
6. Papers of the students are checked according to the updated answer key.
It is for prelims as well as mains (as even mains is objective even for the post of Deputy Collector in maharashtra)
This kind of transparency is there in MPSC. UPSC should definately learn from this & try to provide students with:
1. Answer key right after the exam.
2. Model answer papers of toppers from mains exam (which they burn; I dont know under which SHIT law
).
UPSC really needs big transparency.
“Intelligence organization that fears intellegence” – TONY STARK (The Avengers movie).
Calling “Mrunal” on these grounds to UPSC is like killing democracy. Why UPSC is afraid for transparency ?
I am with you MRUNAL. Go ahead with whatever you are doing. All the best.
Dear Mrunal,
You deserve a great appreciation for your sincere effort in elucidating the minds of UPSC by their own words.
My inferences on UPSC’s contention and Petition:
1. It is well intentioned that we all know the Key Answers of Prelims as soon as the Prelims results are announced, but as cited above by various aspirants from different states there are huge chances that it may stall the already creeping selection process by filing frivolous complaints of unsuccessful candidates.
2. Having said that, it is also unjustified if the Answer Key has wrong options hence blocking a qualified aspirant from attending the Mains exam
[According to me, there could be utmost 5 questions (both Paper-1 and Paper-2) where we would have difference of opinion from that of examiner, but instead of filing a complaint it is well appreciated if the team of paper setters are more responsible and UPSC stands accountable for any wrong answers, so that in the coming years the difference of opinion on the wrong choices comes down to zero]
The system of Justice follows the principle of Utilitarianism, where it’s actions promotes benefits for the majority of the People (larger interest here is it should not jeopardize the already slow system of exam process by the complaints of few) as evident from various cases on Land Acquisition schemes and others, and I wish the verdict goes in favour of UPSC in sharing the Answer Key but adding to that let it be still more accountable and answerable for the debatable choices of answers but only after the completion of the entire exam.
But if the verdict goes for disclosing the Answer Keys soon after the results of Prelims, then it may also have to suggest the pragmatic way of handling the possible negative consequences as cited.
Upsc’s intention to seek speedy completion of exam is bonafide but the process and method it adopts to do so draws doubts vis-a-vis diclosing the information to public. The argument put forth by UPSC would not stand the scrutiny of court as merely stating that aspirants may file friavulous or ingenuine complaints to stall the entire exam process is unfound, as we see lot of examples coming from other organisations such as MH PSC, SSC. To me, it is false ground to avoid disclosure of information. It is basically as excuse to revert reforms and make adjustment with regard to need of fastly changing times.
I support the efforts of Mrunal bring transparency and accountability in UPSC.
GOOD Luck
Sirji… Please accept my ###RESPECT###
I am really happy that UPSC is thinking over it because they have to provide answer key for 2013 Question paper.
And definitely there are so many questions which can be doubted. UPSC has to follow MPSC (Maharashtra Public service commission ) strategy. After giving First Answer key in first week after the exam MPSC ask the aspirant to provide the input and after analyzing MPSC provide Final Answer key after 2 Months. So there is 100% transparency in MPSC. Why UPSC is giving such statement “frivolous complaints/ file court cases without any bases and make false and baseless allegations” if you are 100% correct.
Mrunal Sir you have many points to show against UPSC. Yes, of-course, its mainly related to Aspirant Life Decision. We have to support to Mrunal.
Dear Mrunal,
You deserve a great appreciation for your sincere effort in elucidating the minds of UPSC by their own words.
My inferences on UPSC’s contention and Petition:
1. It is well intentioned that we all know the Key Answers of Prelims as soon as the Prelims results are announced, but as cited above by various aspirants from different states there are huge chances that it may stall the already creeping selection process by filing frivolous complaints of unsuccessful candidates.
2. Having said that, it is also unjustified if the Answer Key has wrong options hence blocking a qualified aspirant from attending the Mains exam
[According to me, there could be utmost 5 questions (both Paper-1 and Paper-2) where we would have difference of opinion from that of examiner, but instead of filing a complaint it is well appreciated if the team of paper setters are more responsible and UPSC stands accountable for any wrong answers, so that in the coming years the difference of opinion on the wrong choices comes down to zero]
The system of Justice follows the principle of Utilitarianism, where it’s actions promotes benefits for the majority of the People (larger interest here is it should not jeopardize the already slow system of exam process by the complaints of few) as evident from various cases on Land Acquisition schemes and others, and I wish the verdict goes in favour of UPSC in sharing the Answer Key but adding to that let it be still more accountable and answerable for the debatable choices of answers but only after the completion of the entire exam.
But if the verdict goes for disclosing the Answer Keys soon after the results of Prelims, then it may also have to suggest the pragmatic way of handling the possible negative consequences as cited.
All those who are against Mrunal in this one, they can stop preparing for the CS as India does not want civil servants who are fearful of changes even though the process is right.
If you still think that Mrunal is wrong or the UPSC is right, then you guys will also support the following cases:
1: China and Pakistan keep acquiring our land but we don’t pay our attention to it cause we are busy building rest of India and it will hamper the growth of the nation.
2: (This one I read somewhere) A Minister who has been identified by cancer does not want to to go for chemotherapy as he is afraid of getting bald.
3: You are renovating your house and as you are building one corner of your house your neighbors are dumping garbage in the other corner, but you don’t put a heed to this as you are afraid the workers won’t do the job properly if you left.
Those of you who agree with the above scenarios and are reluctant to change for the better, you guys better pursue something else, cause you guys will not help build a nation India deserves to be.
Hhaha..You are funny though
Your wish is our command…Its nice to see upcoming civil servants who will not allow any diverse view on a subject…Keep it up..We’ll soon have an autocratic state..
You are wrong in depicting me, instead I wanted people to come with diverse solution to a problem and then SOLVE the problem instead of living with it. So, in this sense if a person who is reluctant to face a problem and find a solution which is actually being supported by a few of you here does not qualify for a post which is known for its decision making.
Questions should be unambiguous; there should be only one clear answer to the question; this is the very definition of objective question paper. If UPSC is not confident of their questions and answers, it points to their shameful incompetence, for which aspirants shouldn’t be penalised.
To err is human; so the aspirant community should be provided opportunities to point out mistakes in official answer keys; UPSC can exempt disputed answers from evaluation.
This is the democratic way of doing this. As far as I know, this is followed in GATE exam conducted by IITs.
I don’t think there should be any problem in releasing the answer key. UPSC should emulate the SSC model pertaining to releasing the answer key.
What they do, they release the answer key of tier 1 exam and then give certain time to the candidates to write to the commission if they have any objection. After that time they do not entertain any request regarding the same.
By this way problem of frivolous complaints can be rectified.
I am completely agree with the Mr. Abhishek’s view, where there is a neck to neck competition of even point to point marks and the hard work of number of years each aspirant has right to know the official answer key of the UPSC and have the right to object if any injustice has been done to any aspirant of the UPSC.
Only solution is to give right to resolve the complaint within 1 months after the official answer key is declared and to resolve the grievances of any aspirant of UPSC.
Hello Mrunal and friends,
I gave my comments here yesterday (almost the same time) through my mobile soon after I saw this article but it did’nt get published… So I’m giving my comment again through another resource.
I felt what UPSC has claimed is true that if they declare the answer key soon after prelims or after prelims results, there may be candidates who can find an alternate answers and file a petition on the court. This may lead to stalling of entire examination. I am not complaining about those candidates. Given a situation even I will also do that. This is because out of 100 questions 95 will be accepted by all. But there will be those 5 to 6 questions where everyone will have a doubt. This is evident from our mrunal blog’s 2013 prelims question analysis itself where people have different opinion on certain questions and they debate over it. Thus there are chances that a question may have more than one answer and the best answer which we select may not necessarily match with UPSC’s key. And with the recent introduction of decision making questions it will make the situation all the more difficult. Each and everyone have their own answers. Already UPSC exam takes one whole year to complete the process if answers declared earlier it may stretch the exam further (through court stay). Also unlike other public service commission which conducts examinations irregularly like once in every two or three years, UPSC conducts exam regularly i.e. annually. So the point is how to rationally find a solution to it. where on the one hand we need the exam process to happen regularly (so that at least some of us will get through, lead to reduction of unemployment) on the other hand we need answers immediately after exam or pre results to verify with ours to know where we stand or what went wrong or at least to get that satisfaction that I am not up to the mark this time and concentrate on the next attempt. Need more thoughts.! Comments are welcome…
Dear AHMAD,
I agree with you fully…….Just learn from State PSC everyone will find answer urself…..cause for delay 1-2 year every time.
Dear,
AVOID asking those 5 to 6 questions where everyone will have a doubt.Its my last attempt as i already spent 4 years ..why i think about others!!If i have doubt to whom can i ask?
Hello rajesh, please read my comment fully. My intention is not to stall the process of exam rather to find an answer rationally.
I agree with Ahamed bcoz I attended the interview of APPSC Group 1 exam in February this year. But the results were stayed by High Court bcoz of the wrong key given by Commission for prelims. Me along with 600 aspirants are anxiously waiting for when this stay will be vacated.
Process should be made faster ! An aspirant’s fate will be decided with even a single count of mark. In case the court stalls the process,the judicial process should be made speedy. A seperate fast track court should be set up lonely to deal with upsc cases in a time bound manner.
Attemtps are limited !!! To err is human , but there are lakhs of aspirants, who may not make up to the mark just because of these correctable mistakes.
Totally agree with you.
You are admitting that UPSC has the habit of putting abstract questions in Prelims for which there is no absolute or best answer. Then how can UPSC decide the fate of students on the basis of such questions? You are claiming that the whole process is itself arbitrary rather than being unintentional fault of UPSC. If someone points such absurdity through an RTI, rather than correcting the wrong done, why is UPSC in denial mode. Article 14 of the constitution itself says that no one can be discriminated arbitrarily except on reasonable grounds. Think before you come to speak like this against someone who has been trying to use to power of RTI to make things more rational, reasonable and transparent.
Hi Mrunal,
As of now I have been a silent follower and admirer of you blog. This time I couldn’t resist being so. Though I appreciate your effort and cause still I hope UPSC wins. Informally speaking, there is a high chance that selection process would be delayed/stalled once they are made to declare answer keys midway. (unsuccessful) candidates will leave no stone unturned approaching court and getting stay order citing many (ir)relevant reasons. As far as larger public interest is concerned, I would like to add that there is even bigger interest involved once the final recommended list comes out after 1/2/3 years. Technically speaking, those, who think their fate have been changed due to some particular wrong answer keys, will always have the chance to approach court once keys are made public by UPSC. And yes, These are three stages of one selection process and hence this entire process should be considered atomic in nature.
hello sir,
sir i have submitted the FCI form but forgot to self attest the photocopies of my documents.
so i want to know that will my form get rejected? and whether anything can be done about it?
please let me know what to do.
thank you.
Mrunal sir please come up with an article on IB ACIO exam 2013, how to prepare and all.
There is a three word sentence and a box at the northwest corner of the homepage that says ” SEARCH B4 ASKING”
I think there may be a middle path between two options:
Option 1: UPSC doesn’t disclose marks and answerkeys before declaration of results. Status quo maintained, but quite many students dis-satisifed who have to wait for one long year to know what went wrong.
Option 2: UPSC declares answer keys, marks and cut-offs a month after prelims… litigations and disruptions may result….
Middle path: UPSC may declare marks of candidates+cut offs along with prelims result. Serious candidates would already’ve known their approximate score through reliable sources, hence a slight variation of say, 3~5% wouldn’t matter. At least the big variations, which may cause a genuine candidate to be rejected will come to limelight. Any claims would thereby be candidate-specific and not disruptive of the exam process.
I fully support you Mrunal Bhai,
It seems a bunch of selfish people ( most of the selfish people are Group One Officers, be proud of yourself ) have stood against the very historical stand taken by Mrunal. They are even coming with the dull arguments of delaying process, frivolous complaints blah blah… Let it be in the hand of the constitutional body and its servant as how they are going to handle the frivolous complaints and deliver the timely result.
Moreover what about the person who is going to suicide just because he could not understand as why he was rejected though he ticked enough questions to get a clear ahead.
Most of the UPSC friends are not going into technicalities rather they are confining themselves with the very sour history of complaints reaching Courts !!
Suppose I gave the Pre Exam and I am very happy with my performance and check the last year cutoff and i say myself is baar to nikal jayega …after somedays UPSC announces result and I fail ! And suppose UPSC provides me my OMR sheet, answer key and cutoff marks, which tells me that I failed because of 1 mark. NOW tell me why would I file frivolous complain and what I will ask the UPSC about my result ? Yes, If I am getting more marks than the cutoff, I WILL file a GENUINE complaint and will ask the commission to provide me what mine is.
Let us suppose If someone fails by 1 mark and he is mentally retarded and decides to drag the Commission to the court, the Commission can make a provision for a high penalty for this frivolous complaint.
ISRO too supplies the candidates their marks, cutoff marks before they arrange interview. This year they also asked for suggestion for the wrong questions that they printed on question paper, because they know their Organisation belong to scientists not to the God and they can make a mistake !
I think people here need to understand all the aspects of the situation, examine each and every point of view and free themselves from the slavery of selfishness…
Ajatsharu sir has a good point every OMR sheet must have carbon copy which has to be retained by the candidate so that after every release of official answer key if any grievances is there by the candidate he or she should inform commission within stipulated time limit and solve there problems.
I pray to all the current aspirants who may become the chairman or member of UPSC in future please try to solve the problems which we are facing right now in the context of official secrecy or completion of process or any other frivolous excuses given by commission to hide the truth where the future of young blood is at stake.
It’s great to see various viewpoints on both sides, this definitely helps one build a comprehensive outlook.
Whether we agree or disagree with UPSC’ petition, the questions posed by Mrunal are definitely relevant and the judgement will be significant for all aspirants.
Mrunal, we appreciate your spirit and quest for answers irrespective of the outcome.
Kindly let us know if you require any support in terms of research, analysis, suggestions, monetary etc
I would request everyone to go through UPSC’s petition and post suggestions, arguments, cases, examples relevant to the petition and help Mrunal prepare for October hearing.
Please note that I am not asking anyone to take sides.
UPSC should disclose Prelims examination answer keys and cut-off marks with the result of Prelims examination.There is no harm to disclose the answers and cut-off marks.