APSC goofs up, again

RIGHT IS WRONG

Wrong answer keys in research assistant exam OMR sheets

From a Correspondent

JORHAT, Aug 8: Oslo is the capital of which country? Well, for the Assam Public Service Commission (APSC), it is Denmark and not Norway.

The APSC has landed in yet another controversy, following glaring goof-ups in the answer keys of the recently conducted examition for recruitment to the post of Research Assistant under the Fince (Budget) Establishment (B) Department, results of which are yet to be declared.

Candidates who sat for the General Studies and Elementary Knowledge on Computer Application paper of two hours duration (100 marks) were instructed to darken the corresponding oval against the correct out of the four options provided. Notably, each question carried two marks.

The question No 40 in the paper was 'Pur Swaraj resolution was adopted by the Congress in the year?' The candidate had to chose from four options - A) 1919, B) 1917, C) 1928 and D) 1931. While the correct answer should have been 1930, there was no option provided stating the correct year or a 'none of the above' option. In fact, the answer keys of the OMR sheet as uploaded by APSC in its website http://apsc.nic.in, the answer to question has been marked as (C) which is 1928.

In question No 98, the candidate had to choose from A) Sweden, B) Norway, C) Finland and D) Denmark against the question 'Oslo is the capital of?' Whereas the right answer is Norway, the answer keys of the OMR sheet stated that the right answer to question is D) Denmark.

While deprived candidates have been often alleging unfair practices in the APSC during recruitment procedures, the latest goof-up has raised serious questions about the commission, already in the thick of controversy in the wake of the anomalies in the recent civil service examition.

Candidates say even a single mark can be decisive in such competitive examitions and rigorous selection process.

Candidates on condition of anonymity have urged the State government to intervene at the earliest before the APSC declares the results.