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PCS exam evaluation
system not so fair Old students decide to restore college glory |
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PCS exam evaluation
system not so fair THE PPSC Chairman had claimed while declaring the results of the Punjab Civil Services Examinations that the whole process was fair and transparent. But the question is was it just? The result was heavily biased in favour of science subjects and candidates offering arts subjects were left high and dry. This fact was corroborated by Mr Amarjeet Singh Chawla, member, PPSC in an interview to the media in November. It is time we recognised that the system is unfair and tilted towards certain subjects and there is a need to improve it. I want to suggest an alternative, which will remove this bias and treat all subjects equally. I call it the percentile system. While a kind of percentile system is already in use for some MBA exams like CAT, the one suggested is a little different. In the CAT exam, all candidates appear in the same papers but this is not the case with competitive exams like the IAS and the PCS. The method is specifically designed to create a balance amongst different optionals. The process may seem lenghty and complex, but it is, in fact, very simple. Under this method, a candidate will be awarded marks on the basis of his/her performance in an optional paper as compared to that of other candidates with the same optional. It must be kept in mind that the optional subjects are meant to check the scholastic ability of the candidates and the best way to check it is to measure his/her performance against other candidates with the same optional. For this, the average marks of all students appearing an optional will have to be calculated. This can be done by totalling the marks of all students appearing in an optional and then dividing the total thus obtained by the number of candidates who appear in that optional. For e.g. if the total marks of 20 students appearing in History are 1000, the average marks in history will be 50. Similarly, let the total marks of 20 students in statistics be =1500. So the average score in statistics is 75. The above example clearly shows that students with statistics have scored much higher than students with history. Does it mean that students with history optional are less brilliant? Certainly not. So how do we correct thim imbalance? This discrepancy can be corrected by calculating a candidate’s percentile in that option and then awarding him accordingly. This can be done by the following formula: marks of a candidate in an optional divided by average marks of candidates appearing in that optional into 100. Under this method, high-scoring optionals and low-scoring optionals will be balanced. It will not matter whether a candidate gets 50 marks in his optional or 90. Also, it will not matter whether a candidate has offered science subjects or arts. Under this method, the percentile of every candidate can be calculated in each optional and he/she can be awarded accordingly. However, for the method to be fully effective, the list of optionals shall have to be pruned. A few optionals should be allowed. Optionals like French and Sanskrit, which are opted for by a small number of candidates, should be scrapped. This method is based on calculating averages and the law of averages works best when the frequency is high. The writer is a
lecturer in Public Administration, MBS BNB College, Tibba Nangal,
Ropar |
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Old students decide to restore college glory
KNOWN for its sand dunes, high illiteracy and social backwardness a few decades ago, the Mansa-Bathinda region has made giant strides in the field of Education. Before the sixties, there was no good educational institution of higher education in Mansa area. Most students had to go either to Bathinda or Patiala. However, on the setting up of the Nehru Memorial College at Mansa with the efforts of farsighted politician Babu Des Raj, in 1965 the higher education came with the reach of wards of even small and marginal farmers. Earlier, this privilege was confined to the offsprings of landlords and rich traders. Since then thousands of students have passed out from the college. The founder-Principle of the college, Mr B.P. Mohan, who remained head of the institution for about two decades, was an outstanding educationist dedicated to the college. With missionary zeal, firm resolve and preservance, he took the institution to dizzy heights in a short period. It achieved fame not only at the academic front, but also in cultural and sports activities. The government took over the college in 1994. Old students formed an
association to restore the glory of their alma mater. "We had
been feeling that there was a need to rejuvenate the college",
says Prof K.K. Sharma, Secretary of the Old Students Association. A
lot is required to be done for upgrading the college to cater to the
needs of students to make them secure jobs in the moden market-driven
economy. Besides science classes up to the B.Sc level, the need of
hour is to start new professional courses." The Association will
do whatever required to be done on this front", he says. A new
building has come up and another is on the way. |
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ADMISSION DEADLINE Agriculture Jan 14 ‘04 Dr Yashwant Singh Parmar University of Horticulture & Forestry, Nauni-Solan (HP) www.ysparmaruniversity.net PhD College of Horticulture: Pomology, Postharvest tech, Fruit Breeding & Genetic Resources, Veg Crops, Floriculture & Landscaping, Mycology & Plant Pathol, Entomol & Apiculture, Biotech College of Forestry: Tree Improvement & Genetic Resources, Silviculture, Agroforestry, Forest Products, Soil Sc & Water Mgt, Agriculture Econ Elig: MSc in rel subj (65% or OGPA 6.5/ 10.00) Appln F: Send Rs 300/- by DD favouring "Comptroller, Dr Yashwant Singh Parmar University of Horticulture & Forestry" payable at State Bank of Patiala, Nauni at above add/ Download from web. Feb 23 ‘04 Veterinary Council of India, "A" Wing, 2nd Floor, August Kranti Bhawan, Bhikaji Cama Place, New Delhi 110066. All-India Common Entrance Test for admission to15% seats in Vet colleges (May 9 ‘04) elig: 10+2 (PCB & Eng, 50% agg). Age: 17 yrs (on Dec 31 ‘04) or BSc with any two of: Phys, Chem, Bio (Bot/ Zool) and has passed 10+2 (PCB & Eng) Appln F: Send Rs. 750/- by DD favouring "Veterinary Council of India, New Delhi" with unstamped, self-add env (24 x 18 cm) by Feb 16 ‘04 to above add. Armed Forces Dec 29 Indian Air Force, Central Airmen Selection Board, PO Box 11807, New Delhi 110010 www.careerairforce.nic.in Airman in Group ‘Y’ IAF (S) (For Spl Security Force "Garud") / IAF (P) Trade Elig: Unmarried Indian/ Nepalese males; Matric/ Inter (50%) with pass marks in Eng. Age: DoB: Aug 1, ‘85 - June 30, ‘88 Selectn: Physical Test, Written Exam, Interview, Med Exam. Details: Employment News (Nov 29-Dec 5). Jan 19 ‘04 Indian Army www.joinindianarmy.nic.in Jr Commissioned Officer (Religious Teacher) Elig: Bachelor’s Deg (50%) +religious qual (Pandit/ Granthi/ Buddhist Monk); Age: 27 - 34 yrs. Details: Employment News (Nov 29-Dec 5)/ website. Art & Design Dec 19 Office of the Commissioner of Industries, Govt of NCT of Delhi Training in Footwear & Leather Goods (6-mnth) Elig: Cl 8, Age: 16 yrs. (M/F) Appln F: Free from office of the Estate Manager, ‘Flatted Factories for Leather Goods, B-72, Wazirpur Industrial Area, Delhi 110052. Civil Services Dec 29 Union Public Service Commission, Dholpur House, Shahjahan Rd, New Delhi 110069 www.upsc.gov.in examination,2004 Elig: Bachelor’s deg. Age: 21- 30 yrs (on 1 Aug ‘04) Exam: Prelims May 16 ‘03. Common ApplnF: Designated Hd PO’s (Rs 20/-). Details: Employment News (Nov 29-Dec 5). Engineering D/o Atomic Energy, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre Training School, Mumbai 400085 (& its affiliates: CAT Training School, Indore; NFC-HWB Training School, Hyderabad; NPCIL Training Centres: Kaiga, Kalpakkam, Rawatbhata & Tarapur) www.hrdbarc.gov Orientation Course (OCES) (1-yr) Graduate Fellowship Scheme (DGFS) (2-yr) Selectn: GATE/ Written test (Feb 22 ‘04), Interview. Elig: BE/BTech/Bachelor’s (Sc) in specified disciplines. Appln F: On prescribed format Details: Employment News (Nov 29-Dec 5)/ Website. Dec 20 Tool Room & Training Centre, Wazirpur Industrial Area, Delhi 110052 (G/o NCT, Delhi). Certificate Course in Computer Programming (1-yr) Elig: Bachelor’s Deg/ Dip (Engg)/ 10+2 (on merit) Appln F: Cash at counter Rs 25/-. Fees: Rs 13, 000/- Jan ‘04 Directorate General of Employment & Training, Advanced Training Institute, Sion, Chunabhatti (E), Mumbai 400022 http://dget.nic.in Short Skill Upgradation courses (Jan-Mar ‘04): Adv Electron, Adv Welding, Elect Maint, Heat Engine, Industr Chem, Machine Tool Maint, Metrol & Engg Inspectn, Process Control Instru, Tool & Die Mkg, Hydraulics & Pneumatics, NC-CNC Machines. Elig: Cert of Craftsmanship/ Apprenticeship in relev trade + 1 yr Indl wk-exp OR Deg/ Dip in Engg/ relev field; For Indl Chem: BSc with Chem; For CAM & 3D Solid Modelling MDT-V5: DME with AutoCAD knowl. Details: Employment News (Nov 29-Dec 5). Finance Dec 29 International Institute for Insurance & Finance, CDE, Platinum Jubilee Bldg., Osmania Univ Campus, Hyderabad 500007 www.iiifindia.com PG Diploma in Insurance & Risk Mgt Elig: Bachelor’s deg. Selectn: Written Test (Jan 4 ‘04)/ GMAT/ AIMAT/ ICET. ApplnF: In Cash at Counter Rs 500/- from Registrar at above add. Details: Website. Jan 20 ‘04 Institute of Economics & Finance, Bundelkhand University, Jhansi MBA (PT; 3-yr) MFC (PT; 3-yr) Elig: Bachelor’s deg (50% with 2-yr wk-exp)/ spons’d ApplnF: Send Rs 650/- by DD favouring "Finance Officer, Bundelkhand University, Jhansi" before Dec 30. Details: Employment News (Nov 29-Dec 5). Info Tech Dec 19 Semiconductor Complex Ltd, Phase VIII, Indl Area, S.A.S Nagar, Mohali, Punjab-160059. (GoI, M/o Comm & IT) www.vedant.net Adv PG Dip in VLSI Des (6 mths) Elig: BE/ BTech (Electron/ Electl/ Telecom/ Instru)/ MSc (Electron & Phys). Selectn: Written Test (Dec 21). Appln F: Send Rs 200/- by DD favouring "Semiconductor Complex Ltd", payable at Ch ‘grh, to above add/ d’load from website. Jan 24 ‘04 Indian Institute of Information Technology (IIIT), 26/C, Electronics City, Hosur Road, Bangalore 560100 www.iiitb.ac.in PG Programme in IT (2-yr) Elig: BE/ BTech/ BSc (Engg)/ MSc/ MCA (1st Div). Selectn: Written Test (March 7 ‘04); Interview (May 5-7 ‘04). Appln F: Send Rs 1000/- by DD favouring "Indian Institute of Information Technology, Bangalore", payable at B ‘lore, with self-add env (9" x 12") to the Registrar at above add. Details: Website. Pervin Malhotra, Director, CARING (www.careerguidanceindia.com), New Delhi Email: pervin-trib@.careerguidanceindia.com Details: www.careerguidanceindia.com |
