UPSC interviewers biased against SC/ST candidates, says Dalit outfit

The Akhil Bharatiya Dalit and Muslim Mahasangh (ABDMM), a non-profit organisation advocating for the rights of Dalits and Muslims, on Friday questioned the selection process of the UPSC in this year’s civil service exams.

According to data released by the ABDMM, civil service aspirants from SC and ST communities who cracked this year’s exams have scored lesser marks in the interview compared to the general category candidates.

Higher points

The ABDMM argues that several SC/ST candidates have scored higher points in the written exams compared to the general category students. But in the interview they have scored lesser marks compared to the general category aspirants. “As a result, the general category students have an edge over the SC/ST students when it comes to qualifying for IAS cadre,” said Suresh Kanojea, national president of the ABDMM.

“It is hard to believe that the SC/ST candidates who scored extremely well in written exams could get below 200 marks in interviews whereas the general candidates who scored less in the written exams got more marks in interview. It shows how biased the interviewers are against the reserved category students.”

Mr. Kanojea filed a petition at the UPSC demanding that an inquiry be launched into the issue.