APPSC plans to do away with job interviews

HYDERABAD: The Andhra Pradesh Public Service Commission (APPSC) is likely to do away with interview system for recruitment into all government jobs except Group-I services. A proposal to this effect is under consideration by the state government which is likely to take a decision shortly. If approved, the new system will apply to all future recruitments to government jobs including Group-II services. Over the past few years, the APPSC got entangled in various controversies over irregularities in recruitment of candidates in government jobs.The allegations of irregularities were  more during the tenure of APPSC former chairman Y Venkatarami Reddy following which the state government has appointed the then special chief secretary for health J Satyanarayana to inquire into the alleged irregularities in selection of candidates by the APPSC.Satyanarayana, who is currently the  special chief secretary to the chief minister, submitted his report recently with recommendations for improving the process of recruitment by the commission.In his report, Satyanarayana is learnt to have recommended for dispensing with the interview system for all categories except Group-I services which are mainly executive posts.“Personality, thought process, leadership quality, decision-making and other such qualities of candidates should be evaluated thoroughly for posts under Group-I services. Hence, interviews are necessary for these posts. But the rest of the posts are basically meant for execution of the government orders and candidates who qualify the written examination can easily handle such work,” sources said. Currently, interviews are conducted for all posts except for Group-IV services.Finding that the interview process is taking lot of time, Satyanarayana recommended for abolishing the interview system altogether except for Group-I services and prepare general merit list based on the written test for all other services. The proposed system is intended to increase efficiency and transparency of recruitments through the APPSC. If the state government decides to abolish the interview system, it would be a significant development after appointment of retired IAS officer Rachel Chatterjee as the chairperson of the commission.