Daijiworld Media Network - Mumbai
Mumbai, Sep 5: Amid growing concerns over alleged question paper leaks and irregularities in recruitment examinations, the Maharashtra government has decided to undertake a comprehensive review of its government recruitment exam system.
The move follows widespread protests by students and job aspirants, including over the controversy surrounding the Maharashtra Public Service Commission’s Drug Inspector examination and broader concerns raised in connection with competitive examinations such as NEET.
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has led the decision to constitute a seven-member high-level committee to recommend reforms aimed at making recruitment examinations more secure, transparent and reliable.
The committee is headed by V Radha, Additional Chief Secretary of the General Administration Department. Maharashtra Director General of Police Sadanand Date, IT Secretary Virendra Singh, Nashik Divisional Commissioner Pravin Gedam, former Union Public Service Commission member Air Marshal Ajit Shankarrao Bhosale (Retd.) and IIT Bombay Professor Shyamprasad Kargudde are among its members.
Animal Husbandry Secretary Dr N Ramaswami will serve as the member secretary.
The panel will examine the recruitment process in detail, including question paper preparation, digital delivery, information technology security, examination centres, grievance redressal and measures to prevent cheating.
The committee has also been directed to study examination systems followed in other states and countries and visit every revenue division in Maharashtra.
During these visits, committee members will interact directly with candidates and educational institutions to understand the difficulties faced by aspirants and identify shortcomings in the existing system.
The government aims to use the exercise to address concerns that have increasingly surfaced among students and job aspirants and incorporate their experiences into the proposed reforms.
The committee will submit a comprehensive report containing recommendations to prevent question paper leaks and cheating while improving the overall examination process.
For thousands of candidates who spend months preparing for government recruitment examinations, the proposed reforms are expected to play a crucial role in restoring confidence in the fairness and credibility of the selection process.