Vice President Advocates Transparent and Inclusive Recruitment Processes for Public Service Commissions
Calls for Innovation, Collaboration, and Accountability to Strengthen Governance and Build Public Trust in Recruitment Systems
BNH NETWORK
Bengaluru – Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar inaugurated the 25th National Conference of Chairpersons of State Public Service Commissions (PSCs) in Bengaluru on Friday. The event brought together leaders and officials from across the nation to discuss the critical role of PSCs in strengthening governance and ensuring merit-based recruitment.
Addressing the gathering, the Vice President highlighted the fundamental role PSCs play in upholding democracy, meritocracy, and fairness in public service recruitment. He described them as the “pillars of democracy” that contribute immensely to the functioning of an equitable and transparent governance system.
Karnataka’s Legacy in Public Administration
Vice President Dhankhar lauded Karnataka’s rich history of public administration, which began with the Mysore Civil Services (MCS) examination initiated by Dewan Sir K. Seshadri Iyer in 1892. This pioneering step, he noted, laid the foundation for a cadre of distinguished administrators—a legacy that Karnataka continues to uphold with pride.
He also commended the Karnataka Public Service Commission (KPSC), established in 1951, for its evolution into a symbol of efficiency and transparency.
Key Reforms in Recruitment Processes
The Vice President praised Karnataka’s proactive reforms in public service recruitment, highlighting:
Objective Evaluations: Elimination of interviews for Group-C and Group-B posts, reducing subjectivity in the selection process.
Balanced Assessments: Reduction of interview weightage for Gazetted Probationers’ exams to just 25 marks, ensuring fairer evaluations.
Standardized Processes: Implementation of the Karnataka Civil Services (Direct Recruitment) Rules, 2021, focusing on transparency and simplification.
He emphasized that these reforms were inspired by the recommendations of the P.C. Hota Committee and represent a step forward in ensuring fairness and inclusivity in recruitment.
Tackling Challenges and Enhancing Efficiency
The Vice President addressed key challenges faced by PSCs, such as paper leaks, and stressed the need for robust measures to restore public trust. He urged the adoption of timely result publication practices, modeled on the UPSC system, to enhance efficiency and tackle unemployment.
Clearing backlogs of cases against Public Service Commissions, he added, is vital to improving operational efficiency and reinforcing public confidence.
Harnessing Technology and Promoting Inclusivity
Vice President Dhankhar advocated leveraging advanced technologies like artificial intelligence to make recruitment processes more transparent and corruption-free. He also underscored the importance of inclusivity, ensuring opportunities for women, youth, and marginalized communities.
He applauded Karnataka’s efforts to establish an independent Controller of Examinations to ensure impartial recruitment processes and reduce human interference.
Training Future Leaders
The Vice President emphasized the importance of training civil servants to lead with empathy and purpose, adapting to the dynamic needs of governance. He called on PSCs to prepare for future challenges by remaining people-centric and innovative in their approach.
A Platform for Collaboration
The conference, he said, offers an unparalleled platform for dialogue, collaboration, and knowledge-sharing among PSCs to strengthen governance collectively.
In his closing remarks, Vice President Dhankhar expressed gratitude to the participants and reiterated the nation’s commitment to transparency, accountability, and efficiency in public service recruitment.
“This conference marks a milestone in our collective efforts to innovate and build a more equitable and prosperous nation,” he said.
