Commission to analyse shifting HAS pattern

Commission to analyse shifting HAS pattern

Vijyender Sharma

SHIMLA----Himachal Pradesh Public Service Commission (HPPSC) has decided to explore the possibilities of switching over from existing pattern of HAS combined examinations to the new pattern of written examinations as adopted by Union Public Service Commission (UPSC). This decision was taken in a meeting presided over by Chairman of the HPPSC Shri K.S. Tomar. 

Shri Tomar said that it was decided to constitute a three Member Committee headed by Prof. J.C. Sharma, senior most Member of Commission to do in depth analysis and finalise a report within three months. The Committee will seek guidance of UPSC in this regard. Secretary of the Commission will be the Member Secretary of the experts Committee.

He said that the Commission have decided to study the pros and cons of the shifting pattern from the HAS pattern of written examination to UPSC system which will avoid the duplicity of efforts of the candidates appearing in civil services.

Shri Tomar said that since the existing scheme of the Himachal Pradesh Administrative Service Combined Competitive (Main) Examination was similar to that of the Civil Services (Main) Examination of the UPSC, therefore, it had become imperative for the Commission to consider the change made by the Union Public Service Commission for the conduct of the Civil Services (Main).

He said that switching over would bring Rationality and Equity in the examination and will remove redundancies. He said that it will also bring simplicity in the pattern of examination.

 “At present, candidates work hard for HAS combined written examinations but they hardly get benefit of their laborious work if they want to compete for UPSC examinations,” he said. Majority of the subjects of HAS examinations are not suitable for UPSC examinations hence candidates have to make fresh preparation. After the introduction of new UPSC pattern in our HAS combined examinations, aspirants can opt those subjects which were chosen by them during HAS combined written test for appearing in civil services too, he added.

Chairman said that members and officials of the Commission would also visit Universities and Colleges in the State to seek views of Teachers and Students about new pattern after the submission of report by the experts Committee. He said that efforts would be made to invite suggestions from candidates also to make entire process transparent.

The members of the Commission, officials and experts also gave their suggestions which would be given due weightage.

Chairman said that there was unanimity amongst Chairpersons of all State Public Service Commission (PSC) to adopt UPSC pattern during the recent National Conference of State PSCs as there was no escape from moving ahead in future. 

The Commission’s members including Prof.  J.C. Sharma, Sh. J.P. Singh and Sh. Pradeep Chauhan attended the meeting. The commission also sought views of well known experts Prof. B.S. Marh, Dean of Academic, HPU, Prof. Suresh Kumar, Dean of Studies, HPU, Prof. Yogender Verma, Pro-Vice Chancellor, Central University, Dharamshala, Prof P.K. Ahluwalia, HPU, Shimla also attended the meeting.

-0-