Hit by exam centre row, TNPSC may release fresh rank list for Group IV

The exams conducted by TNPSC was held on September 1, 2019 in which over 13 lakh candidates appeared in nearly 5,500 venues across the State. In Chennai alone, nearly 90,000 candidates appeared for the examination, and the results were announced in November that year.

However, soon after the release of the results, it was noticed that candidates from the Rameswaram (code no 1606) and Keelakkarai (code no 1608) centres in Ramanathapuram district secured the top positions in the overall rank list, with nearly 20 people securing 295 of the total of 300 marks.

A senior official from the TNPSC told DT Next that a detailed discussion was held in regard to the investigation over the alleged irregularities at a high-level meeting in Chennai. The officials also discussed about releasing a revised rank list by removing the names of those candidates whose exam score raised suspicion, the authority added.

“A detailed investigation has been launched by verifying the answer sheets of the suspected candidates who were allegedly involved in malpractices,” the official said.

Further, the TNPSC official said that there will not be any favouritism or discrimination in the investigation process adding that were there any fault to be found during the probe, action will be taken against the offenders as per law.

Stating that a computer-based test might be the solution to stop leakage of question papers, the official said that in order to prevent malpractice, the examination centres should be monitored through web camera and videography.

According to the official, all the proceedings during the oral test are being videographed to ensure transparency.

“TNPSC officials are working to introduce a procedure so that not even a single malpractice can come into play,” the official added.

Further, mentioning that in 2020 alone a total of 23 exams will be held for various posts, with Combined Civil Services Group I examination being the first one to be held this January, the official said that authorities will take all steps to ensure free and fair conduct of examinations.