A robust and transparent recruitment system is not merely a necessity but a fundamental right of every citizen aspiring to serve their nation.

Background

• Erosion of Institutional Trust: Trust is the bedrock of any society’s functioning, and the true wealth of a nation lies in its citizens’ faith in institutions that govern them.
• Purpose of Public Service Commissions (PSCs): Public Service Commissions (PSCs) at both central and state levels were created to ensure fairness, meritocracy, and social justice in government recruitment.
• Challenges to PSC Integrity: However, the integrity of this trust has been severely tested in recent years, especially across state-level commissions, due to repeated recruitment scams, malpractices, corruption, paper leaks, and manipulation.

Examples of System Failures

• UPSC: Cases like Pooja Khedkar (who allegedly bypassed the system using fraudulent disability and OBC certificates) highlight flaws.
• Bihar Police Exam 2023: Issues included paper leaks and the use of proxies.
• Punjab PPSC 2021: Exposed a systemic failure where insiders leaked papers for bribes.
• Uttar Pradesh (RO ARO & Police Constable): Mass protest and government pressure led to the cancellation of exams due to paper leaks.
• West Bengal SSC: A national news scandal involving high-ranking officials and politicians.

Implications of the Crisis

• Aspirational Importance of Government Jobs: For millions of young Indians, government jobs provide the most reliable route to economic stability and upward social mobility.
• Hope for the Underprivileged: PSCs are seen as beacons of opportunity for talented and less privileged aspirants who rely on a fair system to advance.
• Impact on Youth and Society: Scandals have ruined the careers of deserving candidates and triggered widespread frustration and public protests.
• Threat to Governance Credibility: The loss of confidence in recruitment processes undermines trust in state institutions and weakens the moral foundation of governance.
• National Imperative: Restoring credibility and fairness in recruitment is vital for India’s prosperity, social harmony, and democratic stability.

Reasons for the Crisis

• Politicisation of Appointments: Positions in commissions are often filled based on political loyalty rather than merit or competence.
• Opacity in Recruitment Processes: Exam design, evaluation, and result publication lack transparency, encouraging manipulation and corruption.
• Absence of Accountability: Members found guilty of malpractice often escape scrutiny due to inadequate internal monitoring systems.
• Technological Deficiencies: Reliance on outdated, paper-based processes makes it easier for proxies, impersonation, and leaks to occur.
• Weak Legal Enforcement: Slow judicial processes and lenient penalties fail to deter exam-related fraud and misconduct.

Way Forward

• Institutional Reforms:
  • Transparent Appointments: A Collegium System should be established for appointing PSC members, similar to judicial appointments. 
    • This collegium should include the CM, the Leader of the Opposition, and the Chief Justice of the High Court.
  • Accountability and Merit: A review panel should monitor Commission decisions and fix responsibility for leaks. 
    • Selection for conducting exams must be merit-based, ensuring experts with professional qualifications and clean track records are chosen.
  • Increased Transparency: There must be transparency in the evaluation parameters for mains answers and the basis for interview marks. Performance statistics should be released. 
    • The answer keys should be published promptly, allowing candidates to check their results.
• Technology-Led Solutions:
  • Biometric Identification: Use Aadhaar-based fingerprint and iris scanning to prevent proxy candidates.
  • Encrypted Delivery: Design special printers for exam centres that print the paper only shortly before the exam using a password. This eliminates the risk associated with physically transporting paper.
  • AI Monitoring: Use AI in online exams to track candidate eye movements and record conversations to detect fraudulent activity in real-time.
• Legal Framework:
  • Central Legislation: The Public Examination Act 2024 (passed by Parliament, applicable to UPSC, SSC, Railways, Banking) provides for 10 years of imprisonment and up to a ₹1 crore fine for organized paper leaks.
  • State Laws: States should implement strict laws like Uttarakhand’s Anti-Copping Law 2023, which mandates life imprisonment and up to ₹10 crore fine for copying mafia, including property confiscation.
  • Fast Track Courts: Special courts are needed to ensure justice is swift, aiming for case resolution within six months to a year.
• Administrative Oversight: A National Regulatory Body could be established (or the duty given to the UPSC) to audit recruitment processes and set standards for all State PSCs.
• Civil Society Role: Watchdog organizations and citizen groups must provide oversight to ensure accountability and place pressure on the commissions.

Conclusion

Restoring integrity in recruitment is essential to rebuild public trust and uphold citizens’ right to fair opportunity. Institutional reform, ethical leadership, and participatory oversight can renew faith in a merit-based system vital for national progress.

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