Who Checks UPSC mains papers?
Introduction to the UPSC Mains Evaluation
Every year, aspirants of the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) Mains Examination find themselves anxiously awaiting their results. Given the gravitas and implications of these results, there's often curiosity and sometimes speculation about how the UPSC Mains answer sheets are evaluated. Let's shed some light on the meticulous and open procedure that UPSC uses.
Objective Versus Subjective: The Distinction
It's important to understand that the UPSC employs different methods for evaluating its Preliminary and Mains exams. The IAS Prelims are objective, and as such, are assessed using scanners and computers. However, the Mains exams, being subjective in nature, demand a more detailed, hands-on approach.
Stages of UPSC Mains Answer Sheet Evaluation
1. Coding the Answer Sheets
To ensure anonymity and a fair evaluation process, all UPSC Mains answer sheets are coded with unique fictitious numbers. This ensures that the examiners remain oblivious to the identity of the candidates.
2. Role of the Head Examiner
Before diving into mass evaluations, a Head Examiner reviews random UPSC Mains answer sheets. This step is critical as it sets the evaluation standard. Post this initial review, an Examiners' meeting is convened.
3. The Examiners' Meeting
In this pivotal meeting, the assembled examiners deliberate upon the papers, ironing out the standards and benchmarks for assessment. The aim is to reach a consensus on the evaluation criteria to ensure consistency.
4. Initial Evaluation by Additional Examiners
Post the meeting, each additional examiner is given a random answer sheet, which was previously reviewed by the Head Examiner. They assign tentative marks to these sheets.
5. Scrutiny and Reconciliation
The answer sheets are then meticulously checked by the scrutiny staff for any potential errors, like incorrect totalling or overlooked sections. The Head Examiner then sits with each additional examiner to compare evaluations, ensuring uniformity in marking. Reconciliations, if required, are done at this stage.
6. Aiming for Uniformity
Although the process aims for consistency, human nature means there might be minor variations in the evaluations. To address this, the Head Examiner revisits a few papers marked by each additional examiner. Based on this review, the marks may be revised or confirmed. This process also helps in deciding the moderation marks for the remaining answer sheets.
7. Moderation Process
Should an examiner's evaluations be found inconsistent, all sheets evaluated by that individual are either rechecked by the Head Examiner or handed to another examiner. This moderation process serves to reduce discrepancies in evaluations, ensuring parity.
8. Finalizing the Marks
The concluding steps involve further moderation to minimize subjectivity due to different examiners and diverse optional subjects. Only after this rigorous procedure are the final marks allocated to the candidates.
Throughout this thorough evaluation process, the candidates' identities remain undisclosed, ensuring absolute impartiality.
Conclusion
The UPSC Mains answer sheet evaluation process is intricate and aims to uphold the principles of fairness, objectivity, and transparency. For candidates, understanding this process can provide reassurance that every sheet undergoes rigorous scrutiny, ensuring that every aspirant is judged fairly and equitably.