MPSC Civil Services Aspirants Express Concerns Over Cabinet Decision to Increase Seats from Waiting List

Thounaojam Luwangamba *

The MPSC Civil services examination aspirant community has become angry and frustrated. The MPSC CCE (Prelims) 2022 is scheduled to be conducted on 30th April 2023, but many aspirants are now restless and anxious about what could happen to their upcoming examination of MPSC CCE 2016 (2022) after the recent decision of the Cabinet to increase 43 SDC seats by drawing from the waiting list of the MPSC CCE 2016 (2022).

Many from the aspirant community feel that such action from the Government/MPSC side could attract Court cases and litigations from various stakeholders of this prestigious examination. They fear that the Court may again cancel the MPSC CCE 2016 (2022) examination if the Court finds the recent move of the Government unjust and unconstitutional. The aspirant community feel that a cancellation of the MPSC 2016 (2022) exam may lead to the cancellation or postponement of the MPSC CCE (Prelims) 2022.

The aspirant community of the Civil Services examination (UPSC/MPSC) are considered to be one of the most well-educated and mature. Owing to their experiences with the UPSC CSE examination conducted every year by the UPSC, most of them are comparing/contrasting and asking questions about the additional seat of 43 SDCs announced after the declaration of the result.

The recent decision of the Cabinet to increase the extra SDC seats was taken considering the requirement of manpower (SDCs) following the creation of seven new districts in 2016. Indeed, the notification of the MPSC CCE 2016 was made in April 2016 and the creation of the seven districts happened in December 2016.

But what amazes many is that two full Notifications of the MPSC MCS CCE examination have already been notified after the formation of the new districts in 2016. MPSC MCS CCE 2019 (cancelled) notification dated 8th January 2019, listed a total post of just 15 SDCs and the latest MPSC MCS CCE 2022 notification dated 7th December 2022 listed a total post of 33 SDCs.

And the Cabinet decision to add 43 SDCs on 20th February 2023 was taken just about 2 months after the latest notification in December 2022 of MPSC CCE 2022. Many wondered and asked why the sudden need for SDCs in just a span of 2 months. If there is indeed such a need, additional seats could have been included in the latest notification of MPSC MCS CCE 2022 notification.

Even if one assumes the recruitment process of the new examination takes time, these additional seats could have been notified in the MPSC MCS CCE 2016 (2022) Mains. The last notification of this said exam was in May 2022.

Another important aspect many aspirants put forward is that the Cabinet seems to have been advised inadequately about the nature of the Civil services examination. The examination is divided into three stages i.e. the Prelims, Mains and the Interview. Each stage has its cut-offs which determine the number of candidates moving on to the next stage.

This cut-off is decided by the number of total posts to be recruited by the Examination. The increase in 43 SDC seats would definitely decrease the cut-off marks in Prelims and Mains. Thus many who missed the Prelims of MPSC CCE 2016, and the Mains of MPSC CCE 2016 (2022) by few marks would have cleared these stages.

It is not necessary that a student who didn’t qualify for Prelims by few marks would not do well in Mains. Many reminded the story of the topper Tina Dabi who cleared Prelims with just 2.66 marks above cut off and topped the entire examination with a good performance in Mains.

Furthermore, many aspirants were in disbelief and asked if a state Cabinet can take such a recruitment decision in a state PCS examination. A detailed analysis of the examination rules of MPSC CCE 2016(2022) may reveal the technicality of such actions. But for many aspirants, it is unheard of in UPSC CSE or any other state’s PCS recruitment.

For example, in 2021, there is a shortage of 1515 IAS positions alone, and shortages of other services even after the yearly UPSC CSE examination recruitments. But in UPSC recruitment history, there has never been such intervention by Union Cabinet in the candidates’ recruitment process to fill up these shortages. A proper and detailed study of UPSC CSE examination rules may shed light on whether such non-intervention was due to strict prohibition or a general convention.

In conclusion, many aspirants wanted the prestigious MPSC CCE examination conducted by MPSC to be fair and unbiased. They expect MPSC to have strict recruitment guidelines and principles to ensure fair and transparent recruitment practices.

The aspirants seek that recruitment processes are in compliance with all applicable laws and regulations and adhere to all legal requirements related to equal opportunity, and constitutional rights of the candidates. These rules should shield the recruitment process from unwanted influences and interference.

MPSC must protect the rights and interests of both candidates and the organization.