SSC Introduces Reforms for Enhanced Transparency in Examinations
New Measures for SSC Examinations
Candidates taking the Staff Selection Commission (SSC) exams can now access their question papers, responses, and correct answers post-examination. This initiative aims to enhance transparency and security in the examination process. Officials announced this development on Friday, highlighting that it will empower candidates to contest answer keys with supporting evidence and keep copies for their records.
As per a statement from the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, these reforms aim to balance fairness in examinations with the welfare of candidates, especially as the commission gears up for a busy examination schedule in the upcoming months. A significant reform involves the release of question papers, answers, and correct responses, which will be restricted only during multi-shift exams to protect the integrity of question papers in subsequent sessions.
The SSC serves as one of the largest recruitment bodies for the central government, focusing on selecting candidates for non-gazetted positions across various ministries and departments. To assist candidates, the Commission will also periodically publish selected previous question papers as official sample sets, providing reliable study resources while maintaining the confidentiality of future exams.
In a move to ease the financial burden on candidates, the SSC has reduced the fee for challenging questions from ₹100 to ₹50 per question. Additionally, a toll-free helpline (1800-309-3063) remains available, and an online feedback and complaint portal has been launched for swift resolution of candidates' issues.
Implementation of Equi-Percentile System
The statement further elaborated on the introduction of the Equi-Percentile system, a crucial measure that evaluates candidates based on their percentage scores instead of raw scores. This approach mitigates any advantages or disadvantages stemming from differing difficulty levels across various exam shifts. Furthermore, SSC question papers are now securely transmitted via a digital vault, significantly reducing the risk of leaks. The Commission has also partnered with specialized IT firms to thwart hacking attempts and other forms of malpractice.