SAMAJ WEEKLY UK
Dr. Ramjilal, Social Scientist,
Former Principal,Dyal Singh College,
Karnal (Haryana – India)
Email: [email protected]
Abstract:
The 2011 Census clearly demonstrates that Haryana is home to a diverse population, predominantly Hindus (87.46%) , but also including significant numbers of Muslims (7.03%), Sikhs (4.91%), Jains (0.21%), Christians (0.21%), Buddhists (0.3%), and others (0.1%). These myriads of religious affiliations is rapidly intertwining with a complex caste system. Approximately 20% of Haryana’s population belongs to Scheduled Castes (SC), surpassing the national average of 16.2% and placing Haryana fifth nationally in terms of SC demographics. With 37 of 134 castes classified as Scheduled Castes and an additional 78 categorised as Backward Classes, significant disparities in wealth, education, employment, and gender are starkly evident across these varied groups.
Details:
The Haryana Public Service Commission (HPSC) is a constitutional body functioning under Article 315 of the Indian Constitution, with the critical role of selecting officers for Group A and Group B, Assistant Professors, PGT teachers, and other civil service positions for the Haryana state government. Recent recruitment practices have plummeted into scandal and disarray, as numerous qualified candidates have been compelled to stage an indefinite sit-in protest outside the HPSC office in Panchkula.
1. Controversy Over Qualifying Marks:
The HPSC mandates a minimum of 35% qualifying marks in its main written examination, a stipulation that is egregiously flawed. Candidates assert that the examination format is intentionally designed to ensure that over 90% of eligible candidates fail. As a direct consequence, countless advertised positions remain vacant; notably, 40% of posts in Haryana’s government colleges are currently unfilled. Opposition leaders correctly argue that this disqualifying policy is an unacceptable barrier for the youth of Haryana aspiring for government roles.
Statement from an Aggrieved Candidate:
“I hold a PhD from Delhi University, have qualified for NET-JRF, and have published 12 research papers. Yet, I secured only 28 marks in the Haryana Public Service Commission examination.” — Dr. Priyanka, English subject candidate from Kurukshetra.
2. Violation of UGC Norms and Judicial Intervention:
The current examination framework employed by HPSC blatantly disregards UGC Regulations 2018 by failing to give any weightage to the candidates’ academic qualifications from matriculation to PhD. This blatant oversight led the Punjab and Haryana High Court to quash the recruitment process for 613 Assistant Professor positions in English on May 12, 2026, due to a mere 51 candidates succeeding.
3. Discrepancies in SC Reservation Figures:
Serious concerns are being raised about the management of Scheduled Caste (SC) reservations during HPSC recruitments. While the SC quota is firmly established at 20%, actual recruitment outcomes have shown alarming discrepancies.
Expected vs. Actual Allocation:
Statistical analysis reveals that out of 1,819 total posts, 364 should have been earmarked for SC candidates based on the 20% reservation. Instead, only 307 positions were allocated, resulting in a significant shortfall of nearly 57 posts. This effectively decreased the SC reservation from its rightful 20% to a disappointing 16.24%, denying approximately 67 posts to deserving SC candidates. The variation in allocation is especially egregious, with disparities ranging from 89% in Commerce to a mere 0.42% in English.
4. Challenges with Economic Status and Documentation:
OBC and EWS candidates are being unreasonably required to submit certificates covering a specific timeframe that begins at the date of the memorandum. This impractical expectation creates undue stress for candidates. Additionally, married female candidates often find themselves unable to procure income certificates from their in-laws’ households, further complicating their eligibility.
It is also imperative to note the irony in the state government’s decision to appoint an outsider as the Chairman of the HPSC. This move not only undermines local talent, but also leads to an ingrained bias favouring external candidates over capable local scholars. Opposition leaders rightfully criticise this practice, contending that it facilitates the selection of candidates with weaker academic records from outside the state.
5. Agitation and Administrative Response:
The ongoing protests and Discontent among candidates underscore the urgent need for immediate reform within the Haryana Public Service Commission’s recruitment and selection processes. It is clear that the current system is failing to serve the citizens of Haryana, and decisive action is required to rectify these systemic flaws.
In a determined act of solidarity, the OBC Brigade, joined by a coalition of political parties and Student organisations staged a large-scale protest outside the Haryana Public Service Commission (HPSC) office in Panchkula. The atmosphere was charged with energy as a thirteen-member delegation, which included prominent figures like Rajendra Tanwar, Jaswinder Singh, Indrajit Singh, Dr Shri Krishna Bagoria, and Four dedicated female candidates, sought an audience with the Chief Minister’s Officer on Special Duty (OSD). During their meeting, the OSD provided reassurance, promising that a meeting with the chairman of the HPSC would be organised promptly to discuss and resolve their pressing concerns.
Conclusions and Suggestions:
The HPSC’s current selection system has come under intense scrutiny, facing criticism for four key issues. First, there is a troubling disregard for the regulations set forth by the University Grants Commission (UGC), which are intended to maintain academic standards. Second, a significant number of positions remain unfilled due to the imposition of unrealistic qualifying criteria that disqualify many deserving candidates. Third, the implementation of reservation quotas for Scheduled Castes (SC) has proven ineffective, leading to inequities in representation. Lastly, there is a glaring lack of transparency surrounding the requirements for certificate submissions, leaving candidates in the dark.
Immediate Suggestions
To address these critical issues and foster a fairer system, the following suggestions are put forth for immediate reform:
1. Academic achievements such as records, NET/PhD qualifications, and research contributions should be given considerable weight, aligning with the UGC Regulations of 2018. This change would honour the hard work and dedication of candidates.
2. The stipulation of a 35% qualifying marks requirement should either be eliminated entirely or made more reasonable, ensuring that more candidates have a fair chance at selection.
3. It is imperative that reserved quotas for all categories, especially the SC category, are strictly maintained and enforced to reflect true representation in public service.
4. Priority must be given to filling backlog vacancies that have persisted for far too long, allowing for a more efficient hiring process.
By implementing these thoughtful suggestions, the credibility of the Haryana Public Service Commission can be significantly enhanced, paving the way for justice and equitable opportunities for OBCs and all other reserved categories.
References:
>HPSC Assistant Seat Matrix: Reservation,2024-25.
>Punjab and Haryana High Court CWP NO,10234/2026.
>UGC Regulation2018 clause 3.3 and 4.11.
>Haryana Higher Education Department: Report on Vacant Posts – March 2026.
>Dainik Tribune (Chandigarh) “Uproar over HPSC recruitment”, 15 May 2026.
> https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/gurgaon/punjab-and-haryana-high-court-quashes-recruitment-for-613-eng-assistant-professor-posts/articlesho
>https://theprint.in/judiciary/hc-scraps-haryana-assistant-professor-recruitments-what-it-found-wrong-with-hpsc-selection-process/2929636/
>https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/haryana/why-haryana-public-service-commission-is-under-fire-for-hiring-outsiders/
>https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chandigarh/inld-protests-outside-hpsc-office-over-bias-against-haryana-youth-in-govt-recruitment/articleshow/131184046.cms
>https://www.etvbharat.com/hi/state/hpsc-constantly-mired-in-controversy-opposition-alleges-haryana-youth-are-being-sidelined-hrs26051902608.
>(Note: It does not contain an official statement from the Haryana Public Service Commission)
