The Telangana Public Service Commission (TGPSC) TGPSC Group 1 Preliminary Exam Successful Participation of Over 4 Lakh Candidates, successfully conducted its Group 1 preliminary exam on Saturday, overcoming minor logistical challenges that impacted a few candidates. Approximately 4.03 lakh candidates registered for the exam, which was held across 897 centers in 31 districts from 10:30 am to 1 pm.
Exam Details and Candidate Experiences
Logistical Challenges Impact a Few Candidates
Rehana Begum, a mother of two, missed the exam by two minutes due to parking difficulties at the Jagruti College center in Koti. Frustrated, she recounted, “Even last time when I wrote the Group IV exam at the Musheerabad center, the candidates received the question paper 45 minutes late. I lost the job by 19 marks, and now this issue on Sunday morning.”
In another incident, Parvesh K., an identification officer at the Thimmapur exam center in Karimnagar, arrived drunk. A viral video shows him claiming his duty ended at 10 am, justifying his state. He was taken into custody for questioning.
Exam Structure and Analysis
Assessment Focuses on Multiple Competencies
The TGPSC Group 1 exam comprised 150 objective-type questions assessing various competencies such as logical reasoning, general science, and the cultural heritage of India and Telangana. An analysis of the questions revealed that logical reasoning had the highest number (25), followed by general science (19) and world geography (14).
Dr. Gopalkrishna B., a competitive exam coach, observed, “The question paper is designed not just to screen candidates but to test the aspirant’s ‘governmental sense.’ This approach meets the objective of selecting candidates with an aptitude for government services.”
Special Arrangements and Accessibility
Provisions for Candidates with Physical Challenges
The TGRTC ran special buses to the exam headquarters from various district locations for the convenience of candidates. Examination centers were equipped with special arrangements for candidates with physical challenges, allocating ground-floor rooms for easier access.
Exam Content and Controversies
Exclusion of Telangana Movement Questions Raises Concerns
The Group 1 prelims, conducted on Sunday, notably excluded questions about the Telangana movement, which had been a significant focus in previous exams. The lack of questions about Telangana’s second phase of the movement, language, films, and dialects drew criticism for ignoring Telangana’s identity.
Inclusion of State Government Schemes
Two questions related to new Congress government schemes—Mahalakshmi and Gruhajyothi—were included. One question addressed the subsidized supply of LPG cylinders under the Mahalakshmi scheme, and another covered the Gruhajyothi scheme.
Candidate Attendance and Future Steps
High Absenteeism Noted
Despite 4.03 lakh registrations, only 3.02 lakh candidates (74%) attended the exam. TGPSC Secretary Naveen Nicholas reported that each of the 536 posts would be contested by 536 candidates. The preliminary exam key will be released soon, and the main exams are scheduled to begin on October 21. According to the multi-zone and roster system, 28,150 candidates will qualify for the main exam, with 50 candidates vying for each post.
Strict Time Regulations Cause Frustration
Candidates Denied Entry Due to Late Arrivals
Several candidates were barred from the exam due to strict adherence to the time regulations. Navya from the Ramagundam constituency, along with three others, was denied entry at the Mother Theresa Engineering College center in Peddapalli after arriving late. Sai Priya from Kalvasrirampur missed the exam due to a delayed railway crossing, leading to a five-minute delay. She expressed her distress as she had to leave without taking the exam. Another candidate, Prasanna from Manthani, was turned away for mistakenly bringing a friend’s hall ticket.
Time Miscommunication Incident in Jagtial
Candidates Protest Over Time Miscommunication
In Jagtial, candidates protested outside an exam center after an invigilator incorrectly announced the remaining time. Sharath Chandra and 23 other candidates in room number 213 were told they had only five minutes left, prompting them to rush through the exam. Later, they discovered they had over 20 minutes remaining, causing them to feel they had made unnecessary errors.
Expected Cutoff and Question Complexity
Cutoff Expected to Be Between 75-80 Marks
The exam included 25 questions from logical reasoning, analytical ability, and data interpretation, favoring candidates with a background in mathematics. Questions derived from various surveys and reports benefited well-prepared candidates. The extensive questions required significant time to read, and experts predict the general cutoff will range between 75-80 marks.
Conclusion
The TGPSC Group 1 preliminary exam was conducted smoothly, with notable incidents and high absenteeism. The exam’s focus on various competencies and the exclusion of Telangana-specific questions sparked discussions about the exam’s fairness. The upcoming release of the preliminary exam key and the scheduled main exams in October will further shape the competitive landscape.
