Candidates who were unsuccessful in the Haryana Public Service Commission's (HPSC) recent recruitment exam for assistant professor positions in English have taken strong action, filing Right to Information (RTI) applications and staging a silent protest. The controversy stems from the highly disproportionate number of candidates who cleared the crucial subject knowledge test.
Disproportionate Results Trigger Protest and RTI Queries
On Friday, December 6, 2025, a group of aspirants gathered outside the HPSC office in Panchkula for a silent demonstration. This public display of discontent was coupled with formal RTI applications filed by at least 23 candidates. The core of their grievance lies in the shockingly low pass rate. Only 151 candidates managed to clear the subject knowledge test, despite there being a total of 613 advertised vacancies for assistant professor (English) in Haryana colleges.
In their RTI pleas, the candidates have demanded transparency in the evaluation process. Their requests include:
- Question-wise marks awarded in the subject knowledge test.
- A copy of the model answer key used for evaluation.
- The detailed procedure adopted for determining cut-off marks and assessing answer sheets.
The aspirants have described the final result as "extremely disproportionate." They argue that the evaluation pattern has effectively undermined the reservation policy. Their analysis points out that a mere 17 candidates from all reserved categories combined have qualified for 301 reserved posts. In stark contrast, 134 candidates from the General category have qualified against 312 posts.
Allegations of Constitutional Violation and Official Response
The protesting candidates submitted a memorandum to the HPSC authorities, framing the issue as a serious constitutional matter. They stated that the shortlisting of only 151 candidates for 613 posts is "unprecedented and unjustified." The memorandum further alleges, "This gross disproportionality violates Articles 14, 15, and 16 of the Constitution and undermines the very purpose of reservation."
They warned that such an outcome would leave hundreds of teaching positions vacant, adversely impacting the quality of public education in Haryana. The candidates clarified that they are not seeking a cancellation of the exam but are pushing for corrective measures like moderation or grace marks to counter what they call "excessively strict marking." They have also threatened to approach the Punjab and Haryana High Court if the Commission does not provide relief.
On the official front, Haryana's Education Minister, Mahipal Dhanda, confirmed that candidates had approached him. "We have recommended to the HPSC that this matter be resolved. The Commission is looking into it," he stated. However, a senior HPSC official maintained that answer sheets could only be shown after the entire recruitment process is complete, asserting that their exam system is "completely foolproof." Another officer claimed the evaluation process was already reviewed following earlier representations and no shortcomings were found, suggesting that weak written skills among candidates may be a factor.
Broader Implications and Next Steps
The standoff highlights growing concerns over transparency in large-scale public recruitment drives. The candidates' move to use the RTI Act to scrutinize the evaluation mechanics sets a significant precedent. Their primary demand is for a fair review and a resolution that fills the numerous vacant posts without compromising on merit or constitutional mandates for reservation.
With the HPSC stating its process is under review per the minister's recommendation and the aspirants preparing for legal recourse, the issue remains unresolved. The outcome will be closely watched, as it has direct implications for the state's higher education infrastructure and the future of thousands of government job aspirants in Haryana.
