The Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) Civil Services prelims exam was held on Sunday after a gap of five years. The last JPSC examination was 6th JPSC which was held in 2016, and since then prelims could not be held due to a dispute. Sunday’s preliminary exams were for 252 posts for 7th, 8th, 9th and 10th.
In Sunday’s PT examination, more than 3.5 lakh candidates appeared in two sittings for shortlisting candidates for the JPSC Main exam to fill as many as 252 vacancies. The PT examination comprises tests for General Studies I and General Studies II held at 1,102 centres across the 24 districts. The candidates found the questions to be easy, saying that for anyone who has put in at least “some effort” in preparing for the tests.
“The papers were easy. There were no tricky questions, and anyone who has put in some effort to prepare for the tests would score well,” said Rakesh Kumar, an aspirant at Marwari High School in Ranchi.
Sudhir Mahto, another aspirant at Hatma School said that the chances of scoring high and clearing the exam were higher as there was no negative marking. The candidate said, “If there is negative marking there is fear in attempting all questions, but as there was no negative marking, it is expected from students that they attempt all questions.”
Both the papers only had objective questions and the candidates had to mark the answers on an OMR sheet. The questions were mostly based on general knowledge and some of them were related to Jharkhand.
Sources said that around 3.50 lakh candidates appeared for the prelims tests. Those who clear the test will go on to appear for the JPSC Main exam, followed by an interview and the ones clearing it will fill up the 252 vacancies.
Earlier, the government had decided to conduct the prelims tests for JPSC on May 2, but the exam date had to be postponed due to the Covid-19 situation in the state. The exams on Sunday were conducted amid strict adherence to the Covid-19 protocol.
Candidates were asked to wear masks, keep sanitizers and maintain social distancing inside the exam centres. The aspirants were allowed to enter the centres after thermal screening.
The JPSC had asked candidates to reach the examination centre half an hour before the commencement of the examination and sit in the allotted seat. Candidates were not allowed to enter the examination centre after the commencement of the examination. The center superintendent will allow entry in special circumstances up to 15 minutes after the commencement of the examination, subject to proper reasons being shown.
