Punjab Newsline | Chandigarh
Punjab Public Service Commission (PPSC) Chairman Vinayak Saini has dismissed allegations of irregularities in the Punjab PCS Mains examination results, stating that the variations in centre-wise and classroom-wise success rates are within the range of normal statistical fluctuations.
In its clarification, the Commission said the allegations regarding the concentration of successful candidates at certain examination centres were based on a misinterpretation of statistical data and did not indicate any irregularity in the examination process.
The examination was conducted at 12 centres in Patiala, with candidate strength ranging from 118 to 553 at each centre. A total of 3,959 candidates appeared in the examination, out of whom 751 were shortlisted for interviews, representing an overall success rate of approximately 19 per cent after accounting for absentees.
Addressing claims that 24 per cent of successful candidates belonged to a single examination centre, PPSC clarified that the highest number of shortlisted candidates from any one centre was 106, accounting for 14.1 per cent of the total. The centre had 496 candidates, making it the second-largest examination centre in terms of candidate strength.
On classroom-wise results, the Commission said that 751 candidates were shortlisted from 179 classrooms, averaging approximately 4.2 successful candidates per classroom. It added that reports of 10 or 11 candidates qualifying from individual classrooms at three different centres were within the expected range of statistical variation.
Citing the 2020 Mains examination, PPSC said similar variations had been observed earlier, when some classrooms recorded nine successful candidates despite only 960 candidates being allotted to two examination centres.
Regarding consecutive roll numbers appearing in the shortlist, the Commission said such patterns were also present in previous Punjab PCS Mains examinations. In 2018, 26 groups of consecutive roll numbers appeared among 153 shortlisted candidates, while 28 such groups were recorded among 177 candidates in 2020. In the 2025 examination, 118 groups were identified among 751 shortlisted candidates.
The Commission further clarified that no absent candidate had been declared qualified. Both biometric and manual attendance systems were maintained at all examination centres.
Explaining the selection of examination centres in and around Patiala, PPSC said the decision was taken for administrative, logistical and security reasons to ensure uniform arrangements and effective monitoring. It added that this had been the established practice in Civil Services Mains examinations conducted by the Commission.
Responding to questions about the political affiliation of the constituency in which an examination centre was located, PPSC said that the ruling party's representation in any constituency had no bearing on the conduct of the examination or the declaration of results.
The Commission also stated that candidates had been shortlisted for interviews at three times the number of eligible vacancies in each category, wherever eligible candidates were available, in accordance with the rules and advertisement.
Reiterating its position, PPSC said the alleged concentration of successful candidates at certain centres and classrooms was within the range of expected random statistical variation.
It added that stringent security arrangements were maintained throughout the examination, including CCTV cameras at centre entrances and control rooms, biometric attendance and mobile network jammers in every classroom to ensure the integrity of the examination.
