Chandigarh, September 12: The Punjab State Civil Services (PCS) Combined Competitive Examination, with its preliminary exam scheduled for October 26, faces uncertainty as all five Punjab Public Service Commission (PPSC) member posts remain vacant. Harmohan Kaur Sandhu, the lone serving member, retired on August 19 after completing her six-year tenure, leaving only PPSC Chairman Major General Vinayak Saini (retd) to manage commission affairs.
“The absence of members is a significant challenge, especially for the interview stage, which is crucial for final selection,” said Saini. “We have already informed the government. I have been told that two members have already been shortlisted and will be appointed soon.”
The PCS examination process aims to fill 322 positions across various departments, including the Punjab Civil Service (executive branch), deputy superintendent of police, tehsildar, food and civil supplies officer, block development and panchayat officer, assistant registrar (cooperative societies), labour-cum-conciliation officer, employment generation and training officer, excise and taxation officer, deputy superintendent of jails (grade-II), and district probation officer. Around 85,000 candidates have applied.
PPSC Secretary Charanjit Singh confirmed that two new members are in the process of being appointed. “The commission is already in the process of appointing two new members. The process will be completed soon,” he said.
Meanwhile, the commission is also weighing the option of postponing the PCS exam due to the devastating floods affecting the state. “We are considering it, as the entire state has been affected by floods,” Saini noted.
The vacancies at PPSC, coupled with the flood situation, could create hurdles in ensuring a smooth conduct of the PCS examination, particularly during the interview stage, which requires multiple members to evaluate candidates.
