Reforming Public Service Recruitment Exams in India

Source: The post “Reforming Public Service Recruitment Exams in India” has been created, based on “To mend a broken system” published in “Indian Express” on 13 October 2025. Reforming Public Service Recruitment Exams in India.

UPSC Syllabus: GS Paper 2 – Governance

Context:  Trust is the bedrock of a functioning democracy. A society’s faith in its institutions, especially recruitment systems, ensures accountability, meritocracy, and stability. However, recurring examination scams across states have eroded this trust, endangering both administrative integrity and public confidence.

Background

In recent years, multiple recruitment scandals have surfaced:

• Punjab (2021): Paper leaks in the Punjab Public Service Commission (PPSC) revealed systemic failures.
• Uttar Pradesh & West Bengal: Widespread examination malpractices showing favouritism over merit.
• Uttarakhand: Staff Selection Commission’s junior-level recruitment scam involved allegations of paper leaks and corruption, leading to a CBI inquiry.

These incidents highlight a persistent pattern where merit is compromised, transparency is lacking, and accountability is absent.

Issues and Challenges

1. Erosion of Public Trust: Repeated examination scandals have severely eroded citizens’ confidence in the merit-based recruitment system, weakening faith in the fairness and integrity of public institutions.
2. Politicisation of Commissions: Appointments to Public Service Commissions (PSCs) are often influenced by political considerations rather than competence and integrity, which compromises the impartiality and professionalism of these institutions.
3. Systemic Vulnerabilities: The recruitment process suffers from structural weaknesses such as insecure question-paper handling, inadequate digital safeguards, and the absence of encrypted delivery systems, making it prone to leaks and manipulation.
4. Lack of Transparency: There is minimal public disclosure of exam syllabi, evaluation methodologies, and performance statistics, resulting in opacity and suspicion among candidates regarding the fairness and consistency of the recruitment process.
5. Inadequate Legal Framework: Existing laws dealing with examination malpractices are often outdated or weak, failing to provide stringent punishment or timely judicial intervention, which allows offenders to escape accountability.
6. Poor Accountability Mechanisms: Officials responsible for lapses or irregularities in recruitment processes are rarely held accountable, resulting in a culture of impunity and recurring administrative failures.
7. Autonomy without Oversight: While PSCs enjoy significant constitutional autonomy and privileges, there is a lack of robust external oversight or citizen scrutiny, leading to misuse of authority and limited transparency in decision-making.

Consequences

1. Disillusionment among youth: Honest and hardworking candidates who prepare rigorously for years lose faith in the system when merit is compromised, leading to widespread frustration and disillusionment.
2. Financial and emotional distress: Candidates often face severe financial losses and emotional exhaustion due to repeated exam cancellations, delays, and uncertainty caused by malpractices.
3. Social unrest and protests: The perception of injustice and favouritism in recruitment has triggered public protests, reflecting the deep sense of betrayal among the aspirant community and eroding public order.
4. Administrative inefficiency: The selection of undeserving candidates undermines the efficiency and credibility of the bureaucracy, as capable individuals are sidelined, leading to long-term governance deficits.

Measures and Way Forward

1. Technological Overhaul
   1. Biometric identification & unique candidate IDs to prevent impersonation.
   2. Encrypted digital question-paper delivery systems to prevent leaks.
   3. Transparent online evaluation systems publish syllabus, marking scheme, and anonymised results.
   4. Real-time monitoring dashboards for accountability at each recruitment stage.
2.  Legal and Institutional Strengthening
   1. Fast-track courts for exam fraud to ensure swift justice.
   2. Strengthening laws governing exam malpractices—Uttarakhand model cited as one of the strictest (2022).
   3. Setting up an independent regulatory authority to audit, review, and monitor recruitment processes across states.
   4. Empowerment of the UPSC or the central oversight body to ensure uniform standards and integrity.
3. Governance and Accountability Reforms
   1. Transparent appointment process for PSC members with public disclosure of selection criteria.
   2. Performance audit of commissions through annual reports and external review panels.
   3. Accountability mechanism holding officials liable for recruitment failures.
   4. Citizen representation and watchdog engagement in oversight committees to enhance credibility.
4. Collaborative Mechanisms
   1. Inter-agency coordination between governments and civil society for monitoring.
   2. Review panels and grievance redressal cells for complaints and appeals.
   3. Public dashboards showcasing recruitment timelines, pending cases, and disposal rates.

Conclusion: A robust and transparent recruitment system is a constitutional necessity for an inclusive and merit-driven India. Technology, legal reforms, and participatory oversight together can rebuild trust.

Question: Recurring examination scams across states have eroded public trust in merit-based recruitment, undermining administrative integrity and democratic legitimacy. Analyse the causes and suggest reforms to ensure transparency and accountability in public recruitment.