Exterior of the KPSC building
Bengaluru: The Karnataka Public Service Commission (KPSC) has come under fire after numerous errors were discovered in the Kannada version of the question paper for the Gazetted Probationer Recruitment Preliminary Examination. The mistakes have sparked outrage among candidates, especially those from rural areas who have studied in Kannada medium and aspire to secure government jobs. Critics argue that these errors amount to a grave injustice to these candidates and have called for immediate corrective action, including the possibility of a re-examination.
As the extent of the errors in the Kannada question paper became apparent, an increasing number of candidates took to social media to express their frustration. Many voiced concerns that the mistakes disproportionately affect those who studied in Kannada, effectively disadvantaging them in a highly competitive examination. The errors have been described as a betrayal of the interests of Kannadigas, with some going as far as to call it a systematic fraud against the state’s rural and economically disadvantaged youth.
Prominent figures from various sectors have joined the chorus of criticism. Opposition leaders, MLAs, MPs, and activists, along with notable coaching institutes like Dr. Rajkumar Academy, have condemned the errors and demanded accountability from KPSC. Dr. Rajkumar Academy, in a post on ‘X’ (formerly Twitter), emphasized the need to respect the efforts of candidates who have worked tirelessly for the exam, stating, “The omissions in the paper have been brought to our notice, and we should respect the voice of the candidates who have dedicated themselves and studied hard for the exam.”
The errors in the question paper have been seen by many as part of a broader pattern of neglect and injustice towards Kannadigas, particularly in policies related to water, education, and now employment. Critics have called this a “systematic fraud” that needs to be condemned and corrected. They argue that the state government and KPSC have failed in their duty to provide a fair and equitable examination process, particularly for those who are already at a disadvantage due to their socio-economic background.
The mistakes in the Kannada question paper are not just limited to minor typographical errors. They include serious translation issues and factual inaccuracies that could easily confuse candidates. For example, in Paper-1, a question regarding the Central, Himalayas/Lower Himalayas incorrectly stated in Kannada that “4 statements are correct,” whereas the English version correctly stated, “Only 3 statements are correct.” Such discrepancies are not only confusing but could also lead to candidates losing marks unjustly.
The list of errors in the Kannada question paper is extensive. Some of the most egregious mistakes include:
– A question where the word “Triennial” (occurring once in three years) was mistranslated into Kannada as ” tri monthly)
– In another instance, the term “doubled” was incorrectly printed as “more than doubled,” causing confusion.
– A question about the Fiscal Responsibility and Budgetary Management (FRBM) Act incorrectly referred to it as the “MRBM Act.”
– The translation of questions related to the characteristics of rivers, valleys, and other geographical features was so poor that candidates were forced to read the English version to understand the question.
These errors highlight a significant lack of oversight and quality control in the preparation of the question paper. It appears that the Kannada translation was either poorly done or not reviewed at all, leading to a situation where candidates are being penalized for the incompetence of those responsible for setting the exam.
Given the gravity of the situation, there have been widespread calls for KPSC to be held accountable. Opposition leaders argue that the examination process has been compromised to such an extent that a re-examination may be the only fair solution. There are also demands for a thorough investigation into how these errors occurred and who is responsible.
Many believe that the errors were a result of negligence rather than a deliberate attempt to disadvantage Kannada-medium students. However, the impact is the same, and the KPSC’s failure to provide an accurate and fair question paper has undermined the credibility of the entire examination process.
The errors in the Kannada question paper for the Gazetted Probationer Recruitment Preliminary Examination have caused widespread outrage and have raised serious questions about the KPSC’s ability to conduct fair and accurate examinations. The calls for re-examination and accountability are growing louder, and it is now up to the KPSC and the state government to address these concerns and ensure that such mistakes are not repeated in the future. The future of many aspiring candidates hangs in the balance, and they deserve nothing less than a fair chance to succeed.
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