SHILLONG, Jan 19: The Khasi Students’ Union (KSU) on Monday issued a one-week ultimatum to the Meghalaya Public Service Commission (MPSC) to implement reforms recommended by the MPSC Reforms Committee, warning of agitation if corrective measures are not taken to ensure transparency and fairness in recruitment processes.
Addressing media persons, KSU Employment Cell Chairman Reuben Najiar said the committee’s report, submitted to the state government in August 2025, remains unimplemented despite repeated assurances.
“The Chairman told us that the Commission is still studying the matter. But there is nothing to study—the recommendations are meant to be implemented,” Najiar said after meeting MPSC Chairman D. Langstang.
Najiar stated that the KSU has demanded immediate disclosure of examination marks, adoption of objective-type examinations for Grade C and D posts, and issuance of recruitment advertisements exclusively for Meghalaya domiciles.
“Accordingly, we have given one week’s time to the MPSC Chairman to implement reforms related to disclosure of marks and other recommendations in the report so that there is transparency in the recruitment process, which is completely lacking at present,” he said.
Alleging manipulation in examination patterns, Najiar cited the typist examination conducted in November 2025. He claimed that while Grade C and D examinations are traditionally conducted through multiple-choice questions, the Commission opted for a descriptive format to allow room for manipulation.
“In objective examinations, answers are fixed and cannot be altered. But in descriptive exams, marks depend on the examiner’s discretion. Even courts cannot intervene. This opens the door to manipulation so that favoured candidates can be selected,” he alleged.
Najiar further claimed that the use of descriptive examinations enables manipulation of marks, resulting in eligible candidates being denied employment while candidates with influence or financial means secure jobs.
The KSU also objected to recruitment advertisements being open to all Indian citizens, demanding that state government jobs be reserved strictly for Meghalaya domiciles, a practice followed in other northeastern states.
“State jobs are meant for the domiciles of the state and not for the entire country,” Najiar asserted.
He alleged that the MPSC’s reluctance to implement reforms stems from a desire to maintain opacity in recruitment.
“They are comfortable with the current corrupted system where marks are hidden, candidates cannot access information even through RTI, and recruitment happens behind closed doors. If marks are disclosed, the Commission will come under public scrutiny,” he said.
Warning of escalation, the KSU stated in a letter submitted to the MPSC Chairman that failure to implement reforms within one week would compel the union to launch agitation, including steps to halt recruitment processes until transparency measures are enforced.
