Face2News/Chandigarh
The Haryana Cabinet which met under the Chairmanship of Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar recently on April 5, 2023 amongst taking other decisions also decided that there will be five options i.e. (A, B, C, D and E) available in each question of Haryana Civil Services Examination (Executive Branch). If a candidate is attempting a question, he/she will have to darken the appropriate circle A, B, C or D and if not attempting a question, then, he/she will have to darken E circle. If none of the circles is darkened, one fourth (0.25) mark shall be deducted. If any candidate does not darken any of the five circles in more than 10% questions, he/she will be disqualified.
Meanwhile, Hemant Kumar, an Advocate at Punjab & Haryana High Court, said that consequent upon the aforementioned decision of the Haryana Cabinet, the Gazette Notification would be published in coming days making appropriate amendment in Haryana Civil Service (Executive Branch) Rules, 2008 in this regard and then the same would come into force from such date of publication of such Notification.
Hemant Kumar, an Advocate at Punjab & Haryana High Court, said that consequent upon the aforementioned decision of the Haryana Cabinet, the Gazette Notification would be published in coming days making appropriate amendment in Haryana Civil Service (Executive Branch) Rules, 2008 in this regard and then the same would come into force from such date of publication of such Notification.
Meanwhile, the Haryana Public Service Commission (HPSC) two months back in Feb, 2023 issued an Advertisement bearing no. 11/2023 pertaining to recruitment of 95 (thereafter raised to 100) posts in Haryana Civil Services (Executive Branch) and other Allied Services. On Page No. 5 of the aforementioned HPSC Advt. as regards Preliminary Examination (for screening only), it was mentioned that
vi) Further, it is also made clear that:-
(a) If a candidate gives more than one answer, it will be treated as wrong answer even if one of the given answers happens to be correct and there will be the same penalty as stated at point No. (iii) above, to that question.
(b)If a question is not attempted, circle the corresponding fifth bubble below # failing which one-fourth (0.25) marks shall be deducted and no extra time will be provided to the candidates for this exercise.
(c) In case, any amendment is made in the HCS (Ex. Br.) & other Allied Services Combined Examination Act, 2002 or in HCS Rules, 2008 regarding conduct of HCS (Ex. Br.) & other Allied Services Examination, the same will also be applicable to this advertisement. An announcement to this effect will be issued separately.
Since the aforesaid condition is not contained in Haryana Civil Services (Executive Branch) Rules, 2008 (as amended till date and more particularly on the date when HPSC issued the aforementioned Advt in Feb, 2023) and actually the Haryana Cabinet in its meeting held on 5th April 2023 has however taken a policy decision regarding the same, then in view of the above, Hemant seriously wonders how the HPSC can mention the same in its Advt issued two months back in the month of Feb, 2023.
Hemant while raising another interesting but significant point said that it was also expressly mentioned on Page 2 of the HPSC issued Feb, 2003 that HCS (Ex. Br.) & other Allied Services Examination will be conducted in accordance with the provisions contained in HCS (Ex. Br.) & other Allied Services Rules, 2008 (as amended upto the date of issuance of advertisement) and Haryana Civil Services (Ex. Br.) & Allied Services & other Services Common / Combined Examination Act, 2002 and as per the Government instructions as are in force upto the date of issuance of this advertisement.
Hence, in view of the above the Haryana Cabinet decision dated 5 April 2023 relating to Prelim Exam attemptation would not apply to the forthcoming HCS (Ex. Br.) & other Allied Services Examination to be conducted by HPSC in coming months as per its Advt issued in Feb, 2023.