Imphal, September 21: Over five thousand candidates appeared for the preliminary examination of the Manipur Civil Services (Combined) Competitive examination, 2008 across 29 centres at Imphal today.

The total vacant posts is 91 .

Conducted by the Manipur Public Service Commission, 5693 candidates sat for the preliminary examinations today vying for the 91 posts on offer which include 17 MCS, 22 MPS, 12 Manipur Finance Service, 12 SDC, 24 Manipur Secretariat Service and four Election Officer.

Out of the 9054 candidates who applied for the examination, 5693 candidates sat for the examination today.

The number of applications submitted earlier, that is 9054 for the 91 posts, meant that for every 10 vacant posts there were to be 1000 candidates.

However with the number of candidates whittled down to 5693 meant that over a third of the applicants did not appear for the examination today.

Till date the MPSC has conducted 8 combined competitive examination including today's preliminary examination.

The first competitive examination was held in 1974 .

Following the line of the Union Public Service Commission, today's preliminary examination consisted of one General Studies paper and one Optional paper.

There were 25 subjects to choose from in the optional paper.

Since 1974, the MPSC has conducted competitive examinations in 1982 for recruiting 10 MCS and 7 MPS officers, to recruit 7 MCS and 7 MPS officers each in 1985, to recruit 5 MCS and 9 MPS officers in 1987, to recruit 9 MCS and 6 MPS officers in 1991, to recruit 9 MCS and 11 MPS officers in 2002 and to recruit 25 MCS, 32 MPS, 31 MFS and 40 SDC in 2007 .

The written examination held in 1994 was declared null and void by the Gauhati High Court.

Since then till 2002 the MPSC was embroiled in a number of litigations.

Speaking to reporters, Secretary of the MPSC, Y Jugindro said that in the past the MPSC has been embroiled in a number of Court cases with the media lampooning its functioning.

However the MPSC has pulled up its socks and the result of the 2007 examination which was declared in 2008 was above all reproach, he added.

Efforts are on to declare the results of the preliminary in the first week of next month.

For the first time Optical Magnetic Reader Machine will be used to assess the papers.

If any one has any complaints of corruption or any misgivings they may contact the MPSC and fitting action will be taken up against any erring employee, said Jugindro.

The MPSC Secretary also appealed to the parents and guardians of the candidates not to canvass for their wards and urged the candidates not to come under the impression that money is the deciding factor.

Altogether the service of 1200 people were utilised for the conduct of the examination today.

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