Questions raised on Punjab PCS Mains result: Allegations of up to 45% candidates being shortlisted from certain rooms, PPSC response awaited

Candidates and several political parties have raised questions over the Punjab Public Service Commission (PPSC) PCS Mains result. In the results declared late on the night of 4 November, 751 candidates were provisionally selected for 331 posts for the interview. Candidates allege that there have been an unusually high number of selections from certain examination rooms and that the results include roll numbers of candidates who were absent for the exam. These allegations have not yet been established, and no detailed response has been received from the PPSC or the state government so far.

Candidates' allegations

Candidates have presented their own analysis of the results. According to them:

• Higher selections from rooms: From one room each at four different examination centers, 10-11 candidates were selected. In room number-8 of center-7, 11 out of 24 (45.8 percent) who took the exam were shortlisted. In room number-14 of center-11 and room number-19 of center-4, 10-10 out of 24-24 (41.7 percent) were selected.
• Consecutive roll numbers: 86 selected candidates are in groups with consecutive roll numbers.
• Absent candidates: The list also contains some roll numbers of candidates who were absent for the Mains.
• Fewer candidates for interview: Candidates state that according to the tradition or rule of calling three candidates for every post, 993 candidates should have been called for 331 posts, whereas 751 were called. They are seeking clarification from the commission on this process.

Candidates say that such a high number of selections from a single room cannot be considered a normal coincidence and it should be investigated. According to reports, some candidates have sent representations to the President, Prime Minister, Chief Minister of Punjab, and the CBI demanding an independent inquiry.

Political reactions

Shiromani Akali Dal spokesperson and Legal Cell President Advocate Arshdeep Singh Kler said that the result has raised serious questions on the transparency of the recruitment and the Bhagwant Mann government will have to answer. Congress's Pargat Singh raised the issue of consecutive roll numbers and the presence of absent candidates' roll numbers in the list, demanding a clarification and a fair investigation from the PPSC chairman. BJP's Sunil Jakhar has demanded a CBI inquiry.

Current status

The result declared by the PPSC is provisional. Verification of documents for the shortlisted candidates is to be held at the commission's office in Patiala from 11 to 17 November. The report will be updated once the commission's side is received.