Government to conduct computer-based test for recruitment in Karnataka

A meeting was held by Higher Education Minister M.C. Sudhakar and Medical Education Minister Sharan Prakash Patil with the Principal Secretaries of Higher Education and Medical Education departments, Secretary of KPSC, Executive Director of KEA, Vice-Chancellors of Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences and Visvesvaraya Technological University, and other officials to discuss the CBT model for recruitment in Karnataka.

With an aim to reduce the cost of examination and prevent irregularities, the government of Karnataka has decided to conduct ‘Computer Based Test’ (CBT) for recruitment in various departments, boards, authorities instead of written exam conducted by the Karnataka Public Service Commission (KPSC), Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA), and Department of School Education and Literacy (DSEL).

A meeting was held recently by Higher Education Minister M.C. Sudhakar and Medical Education Minister Sharan Prakash Patil with the Principal Secretaries of Higher Education and Medical Education departments, Secretary of KPSC, Executive Director of KEA, Vice-Chancellors of Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences and Visvesvaraya Technological University, and other officials to discuss the CBT model for recruitment in Karnataka.

In the meeting, it was decided to develop a separate software for the CBT model examination in collaboration with the e-Governance Department and National Informatics Center (NIC) Karnataka.

Also, a committee has been formed headed by Srikar M.S., Principal Secretary in the Higher Education Department, to map the infrastructure required for conducting CBT, and its pros and cons. The committee has been instructed to submit a report within 15 days.

Every year, the KPSC conducts competitive examinations for recruitment to various government departments, boards and authorities, including the Karnataka Administrative Services (KAS) exams. KEA also conducts competitive examinations for recruitment in various government departments, along with Common Entrance Test (CET) for professional courses. In addition, the DSEL conducts competitive examinations for recruitment to teacher posts and the ‘Karnataka Teacher Eligibility Test’ (KARTET), which is an eligibility test for teachers.

However, high cost is incurred on these examinations for printing question papers and OMR sheets, transportation of question papers, and security arrangement at examination centres. The government of Karnataka is providing grants to the KPSC to conduct recruitment examinations. However, no grants are being provided to KEA and DSEL to conduct the recruitment examinations. These institutions have to cover all the expenses from the application fee collected from candidates.

Also, except for the KAS main exam conducted by KPSC, only objective type questions are being asked for all the other recruitment exams, including KAS prelims, conducted by all these institutions.