Aspirants of 10+2 lecturer posts allege irregularities selection, seek probe

Srinagar, Apr 20: The aspirants of 10+2 Lecturer posts have accused the J&K Public Service Commission (JKPSC) of “fraud and favouritism” in the selection process.

A group of aspirants who applied for the lecturer post in Zoology subject demanded a transparent probe into the recently declared results saying that the selection process was “statistically and humanly improbable” scoring patterns besides highlighting glaring disparities between written and viva voce marks. The aggrieved candidates said the examination, held after a gap of nearly a decade, comprised a two-tier process, including a 100-mark written test followed by a 12-mark viva voce.

They said the written examination was conducted on October 12, 2025 in which the candidates were asked 100 multiple-choice questions to be attempted within two hours, with a negative marking of 0.25 for each incorrect response.

“Around 155 candidates were shortlisted for the viva, conducted between April 6 and April 13, 2026 and the final selection list was declared on April 13 evening,” they said.

They however contested the selection process and raised concerns over the nature of the question paper saying it included a significant number of assertion-reasoning and statement-based questions. “Such questions are considered highly conceptual and prone to errors. Experts agree that in such papers, scoring near-perfect marks like 99, 98 or even 100 is humanly improbable,” one of the aspirants said.

They further alleged that 8 to 10 candidates scored above 95 marks in the written test, with some reportedly nearing a perfect score. “Such results are not only surprising but statistically unusual,” the aspirants alleged. The aspirants further questioned the pattern of awarding viva voce marks saying that most of the top scorers in the written examination were awarded the “bare minimum” marks ranging between 5 and 6—in the interview. “The candidates with comparatively lower written scores secured higher viva marks ranging between 9 and 10,” they said.

They said it was difficult to believe that candidates performing exceptionally well in a highly competitive written exam underperformed in the interview. “Such a pattern cannot be dismissed as coincidence,” the aspirants said.

The aspirants said they hold no grudge against selected candidates. “Our fight is not against individuals but against corruption and any possible malpractice in the system,” they said. The aspirants appealed to J&K Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, chief minister Omar Abdullah and Chairman of JKPSC for their intervention demanding an impartial inquiry into the matter. “The selection list should be put on hold pending investigation. If the process is found fair, it will only strengthen the credibility of the institution. If discrepancies are established, a re-examination should be conducted to ensure justice,” they said.

Similar complaints were received from the aspirants of Lecturer post in Mathematics who said the recently released selection list for the 10+2 Lecturer (Mathematics) by JKPSC sans transparency and caused dissatisfaction among aspirants. “The selection process should have been a transparent and merit-based but it appears deeply questionable,” a group of aspirants said. The aspirants said that both question paper and answer key were “deeply flawed”. “We approached renowned Mathematics professors of reputed institutions including Aligarh Muslim University, University of Kashmir, and Central University of Kashmir who examined the paper and categorically concluded that the question paper is riddled with errors,” the aspirants said.

They said that despite such serious academic objections, JKPSC has proceeded with the selection process, seemingly ignoring both expert opinion and candidate grievances.

“How can a flawed paper be the basis of selection for such a prestigious post. Why were expert recommendations not given due weight? How can merit be ensured when the evaluation itself is questionable,” the aspirants asked. “This is not about one examination but about the future of education and the credibility of recruitment bodies,” they added.

They demanded a fair and impartial review of the entire process should be done and accountability must be fixed by the government. Secretary JKPSC Bashir Ahmad Dar when contacted told Greater Kashmir that JKPSC has a proper procedure besides the laid down rules. “Once we conduct exam, on the same day in evening we publish the key and invite objections from the candidates. We give them three days time to file objections,” Secretary JKPSC told Greater Kashmir. “The objections are examined by the experts and evidence with the candidates is also placed before the experts. The experts give their opinion in terms of our rules and we act upon that,” he said.

He further sad that once the provisional selection list is published, candidates are informed about the category wise points awarded to them. “We again give them five days time to file objections which are also examined by the experts. The selection is done through a complete transparent process,” he said. He added that around 4000 to 5000 candidates compete against 40 vacancies and after selection, a percentage of aggrieved candidates feel they are not being heard. “But we to follow our set procedure,” he told Greater Kashmir.