HYDERABAD: The Telangana State Public Service Commission (TSPSC) has admitted that there was a discrepancy in the number of candidates for the Group-1 Main examinations, resulting in an increase of ten candidates between the initially announced and final lists.
Informing the High Court, TSPSC explained that while the initial count was based on superintendent reports after the exams held from 21 to 27 October 2023 in Hyderabad, Ranga Reddy, and Medchal-Malkajgiri districts, a scientific verification of OMR sheets, used and unused answer sheets, and nominal rolls later revealed the number had risen from 21,075 to 21,085. TSPSC clarified that the difference arose from counting errors and that a revised announcement had been issued accordingly.
The commission made these submissions in an appeal petition filed before a division bench, seeking to vacate the interim stay imposed by a single-judge bench on 17 April 2024, which temporarily halted Group-1 recruitment. The petition was filed by Sumathi, Additional Secretary and Nodal Officer (Legal) of TSPSC.
Regarding allegations of irregularities, TSPSC clarified that the exam centres were assigned based on logistical needs. Male candidates were reassigned from Koti Women’s College to ensure basic amenities like separate toilets, and Begumpet College was exclusively assigned to female candidates. Responding to claims that a higher number of candidates qualified from two centres, TSPSC stated that 5.41% and 4.12% qualification rates at the 18th and 19th centres, respectively, were normal and not irregular.
Addressing individual complaints, TSPSC said that candidate B. Poojitha Reddy’s petition claiming a discrepancy of 60 marks in re-counting was incorrect. Her marks were consistently recorded as 422.4 before and after recounting, and the commission accused her of misrepresenting facts.
On the matter of reissuing hall tickets, TSPSC explained that while the prelims were conducted across the state necessitating district and exam codes on the hall tickets, the Main exam was held only within the GHMC limits. To avoid confusion, fresh hall tickets without district codes were issued.
Additionally, TSPSC detailed logistical adjustments at exam centres: 87 candidates were shifted from the Women’s University centre to CVR College due to accessibility issues for disabled candidates. This led to a reduction in candidate numbers at the Women’s University from 984 to 787 and at St. Peter’s Engineering College from 504 to 358. Extra centres had to be arranged to accommodate the candidates accordingly.
The commission also outlined the evaluation allocation: 33 for English, 57 for General Essay, 28 for History and Culture, 22 each for Geography and Indian Society, 24 for Constitution, 23 for Administration, 38 for Economics and Development, 21 for Science and Technology, 26 for Biotechnology, 18 for Data Interpretation, and 40 for Telangana Movement and State Formation.
Meanwhile, the Telangana High Court extended the interim stay on Group-1 recruitments. Justice Namavarapu Rajeshwar Rao had initially granted the stay based on petitions filed by M. Paramesh and 20 other candidates alleging irregularities in evaluation. During Monday’s hearing, TSPSC’s counsel requested the suspension of the interim orders through an appeal before the division bench, but the court adjourned the matter, maintaining the existing stay for now.
