The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has clarified its interview process. This comes after claims that the interviews might be unfair or favour certain groups. The UPSC released this statement to address concerns about fairness in the personality test stage.
The UPSC conducts important exams like the Civil Services Exam to select government officers. The selection includes a written test and a personality test, which is an interview with experts.
Allegations of Bias in Interviews
From time to time, questions have been raised about how fair UPSC interviews are. Some students and groups claim that reserved category candidates get lower interview scores, even after performing well in written exams. These claims suggest there might be bias or unfair treatment against these candidates during the personality test. Concerns have often appeared online and on other public platforms.
UPSC's Response and Measures for Fairness
In response, the government and UPSC have stated that their system is designed to prevent unfairness. They say there is very little chance for partiality (showing favour) in the interview process. The UPSC has highlighted several steps it takes to ensure fairness:
1. Full Transparency of Marks
To ensure everyone can see the results clearly, the UPSC publishes the marks of all candidates who are recommended for selection. This includes:
- Marks from the written exam
- Marks from the interview (personality test)
- The total marks obtained by the candidate
This information is put on the official UPSC website every year. This shows the commission's commitment to openness.
2. Random Assignment of Interview Boards
A key step to prevent bias is how interviewers are chosen. Candidates are assigned to different Interview Boards through a completely random process. This random selection happens just before the interviews begin. This prevents anyone from choosing specific boards for candidates, removing favouritism.
3. Anonymity During Interviews
The UPSC also makes sure important information is kept private during the interview:
- Candidates do not know the names of Interview Board members.
- The Interview Board members do not receive any information about a candidate's specific category (like General, SC, ST, OBC, EWS).
- The Board also does not know the candidate's written exam scores.
These rules ensure interviewers judge candidates only on what they show during the interaction, not on background or past scores. This removes any chance of discrimination or bias.
4. Focus on Suitability for Public Service
The UPSC states clearly that the personality test (interview) is made to judge a candidate's suitability for public service. It is not designed to assess a candidate's personal or social identity. It aims to find candidates with the right qualities for government service.
Past Concerns and Official Stance
Concerns about fairness in UPSC interviews are not new. In 2021 , a Delhi minister asked UPSC to prevent caste-related bias. Experts also noted that interviews can be subjective, where language, background, or confidence might affect scores. However, no official audit or investigation has proven these claims. No authority has confirmed widespread bias in UPSC interviews.
The UPSC maintains its system ensures fairness. It aims to select the best candidates for civil services based on merit and performance.
