Madhya Pradesh Public Service Commission (PSC) Preliminary examination 2024 was held in two different shifts at various centres in Bhopal. First paper was conducted for general studies from 10 am to 12 noon while second paper was for general awareness from 2:15 pm to 4:15 pm. The examination has been conducted for 110 vacancies for which 1.83 lakh candidates appeared. There were senior retired officers assigned as observer at various centres to monitor examinees and resolve the doubt. As various controversies are being reported for competitive examinations, including NEET, UGC-NET, nursing etc for past 11 days, tight security was arranged at all centres. Examinees were also worried for the paper after being aware of the recent allegations made on competitive exams.

 

Each candidate was searched properly before entering the exam hall. Examinees were asked to remove their socks, shoes, accessories like earrings, rings, bangles etc. Examinees who got late even for two minutes were not allowed to enter. The Commission has released in its guidelines that correction, overwriting or cut on any word, sentence is not allowed in OMR sheet. After distribution of OMR sheet, no candidate was allowed to enter the exam hall. Even examinees were not allowed to go out of hall after receiving paper. There were six times symbolic bells rang during the exam and no electronic device was allowed inside the hall. Many candidates opined that the paper was easy. After writing the examination, when examinees came out of the centre, they said around 30 to 40 per cent questions were from the syllabus. They said questions were also from tribal community and Madhya Pradesh awareness.

 

There were 42 centres in Bhopal including Nutan College, Subhash School, Raja Bhoj School, Excellence School. For monitoring of centres in Bhopal, retired IAS Manohar Dubey and former member of the Commission Dr Devendra Singh Marcom were assigned as observer. Apart from this, 1,563 students who received grace marks in NEET results, reappeared for the exam on Sunday. Their re-exam was scheduled from 2 pm to 5:20 pm but examinees were asked to appear at centre by 11 am. National Testing Agency (NTA) had released admit cards of these candidates on June 20 and results of the re-examination will be declared on June 30. Counselling for these candidates will begin from July 6. On June 22, NTA Director Subodh Kumar was suspended by the Government in connection of the alleged scam. Pradeep Singh Kharola has been appointed as Director General, NTA. NEET-PG exam that was scheduled for June 23 got postponed late in the night on June 22.