MARGAO
Around 2500 candidates vying for ten posts. And, ultimately only 12 candidates manage to clear the examination on Sunday. That's exactly the ground reality as Goa Public Service Commission (GPSC) is on the hunt to recruit eligible candidates for the coveted post of Junior Scale Officers.
Take note, this is the second time this year, the GPSC went on a drive to recruit Junior grade officers after the previous exercise virtually coming a cropper with only one candidate fitting in its bill.
Sunday saw around 2500 candidates trying their luck at the GPSC exam at five different centres spread across North and South Goa. The applicants answered the on-line "computer-based recruitment test" since Sunday morning and by noon the result was out - only 12 out of the 2500 candidates clearing the computer based recruitment test.
Earlier this year, around 1800 candidates had answered a similar computer-based recruitment test and only seven candidates had managed to clear the exam. In this computer-based test, multiple questions are asked to the candidates on various subjects wherein the candidate's knowledge is being assessed by the computer and the result is out on the same day.
Of the 12 candidates, who had cleared the Sunday exam, eight belong to the general category and two each to the OBC and ST category. This means, that the eight general category candidates will now have to vie for the five posts of Junior scale officers, while the two OBC candidates may find themselves in a much better position since the number of OBC posts are pegged at four. The two ST candidates will have to fight for the lone post reserved for the category.
A senior GPSC official said that a total of 11 posts of Junior scale officers were up for grabs earlier this year, of which only one post was filled up as the Commission found only one eligible candidate from the lot.
"Sunday's computer-based recruitment test was held to fill up the vacant 10 posts - general category (5), OBC (4) and one post for the ST candidate", he said.
It was pointed out that the 12 candidates who have cleared the computer-based recruitment test will now have to answer a written exam next month. ‘These candidates will now be assessed for their knowledge in the field of language, history, Constitution et al. The answer papers will be evaluated by an expert. If these candidates manage to clear the written exam, then they will have to come for an oral interview. Last time round, we had a panel of noted personalities on the board who assessed the candidates at the interview. The list includes Justice (retd) Nelson A Britto, Goa University vice-chancellor, GPSC Chairman Jose Manuel Norohna and others", the GPSC official said.
The entire objective behind introducing the computer-based recruitment test is to ensure that the best and most eligible candidates make it for the next stage for the written exam. "The GPSC has laid down strict guidelines for recruitment of officers so that only the best candidates make it to the administration", the official added.
