From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network
Bengaluru, Aug 22: The State Government has decided to amend the Karnataka Recruitment of Gazetted Probationers (Appointed by Competitive Examinations) Rules for increasing the number eligible candidates appearing for personality tests in the ratio of 1:3 to 1:5 during the appointment of Gazetted Probationers’ ‘A’ and ‘B’ categories of posts.
The decision was taken in view of the recent ruling of the Karnataka High Court.
The Karnataka State Public Service Commission (KPSC) conducts preliminary and main examination and personality tests for filling Gazetted Probationers’ ‘A’ and ‘B’ categories of posts.
Only candidates qualified in the mains examination are eligible appearing for personality test. So far, the ratio was 1:3.
Increase in the number of candidates would increase the competition for selection among candidates during personality tests.
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Monday chaired a meeting with KPSC officials and officials of the Department of Personnel and Administrative Reforms (DPAR) and decided to amend the rules to enable more candidates to appear for personality tests.
The decision would benefit thousands of candidates, particularly from rural areas, it is learnt.
In June, 2016, the High Court of Karnataka held that the KPSC had violated the ratio in shortlisting the number of candidates for personality tests to the posts of Gazetted Probationers Group ‘A’ and ‘B’ in 1998, 1999 and 2004 recruitment batches.
A Division Bench, comprising Justice N. Kumar and Justice B. Veerappa, in its verdict, noted that the KPSC, for the 11 posts reserved for category ‘3A’ in the 1998 batch, had called 169 candidates for the personality tests, instead of 55 candidates in gross violation of the rule, which mandates 1:5 ratio for calling of candidates for personality tests.
It has also decided to amend a rule that made only candidates having 60 per cent marks in bachelors’ degree eligible in the appointment of the government run boards and corporations. The existing rule denied jobs to lakhs of people, particularly in rural areas.