T identity made integral part of TSPSC exams

Aspirants to be tested in history, culture, economy and development of Telangana

Hyderabad: The aspirants for various government jobs in the new State of Telangana will hence forth be tested in their knowledge about the history and culture of Telangana. The struggle for statehood was centred on the identity of Telangana.

The scheme of examination and the syllabi approved by the State government on July 27, 2015 through G O MS-330 was based on the recommendations of an expert committee which was subsequently approved by the Telangana State Public Service Commission and reviewed by a Cabinet subcommittee.

The General Studies papers for Group 1, Group 2, Group 3 and Group 4,Gazetted categories not covered in Group 1 and non-gazetted categories not covered in Group 2 , 3 and 4 and miscellaneous categories for which the government cleared the scheme and the syllabi will now test the candidate’s knowledge of history, economic and cultural aspects and geography of the new State.

Besides, the Group 1 examination will now have an exclusive paper on Telangana movement and State formation. This paper covers the idea of Telangana (1948-1970), mobilisation phase (1971-1990) and towards formation of Telangana State (1991-2014).

Official sources told The Hans India that those who have to render public service in the new State would have to know its history and culture. The changes in the syllabi is therefore intended to serve this specific purpose rather than for resurrecting Telangana identity.

However, some experts felt that the new paper on Telangana movement would throw up fresh challenges to the commission with regard to evaluation. There were multiple political currents often even conflicting with each other in the movement for separate State. The students would be confused over the correct answer. However, this problem can be overcome if the examiners take proper care in drafting the questions and evolving scheme of evaluation, said a member of the expert committee.

Also, Telangana finds a mention in Paper 2 and Paper 4 syllabi of Group 1 exam. History and Cultural Heritage of Telangana, Geography of India and Telangana are included in Paper 2 while Paper 4 on Economy and Development consists of Telangana Economy.

In Group 2, Paper 2 on history, polity and society includes socio-cultural history of Telangana and formation of Telangana State while Paper 3 (Economy and Development) comprises Economy and development of Telangana. Like in Paper 6 of Group 1, Telangana movement and State formation syllabus was included in Paper 4 of Group 2. The idea of Telangana, mobilisational phase and towards formation of Telangana State topics come under it.

Identity of Telangana also forms an integral part of Group 3 exam. In Paper 2 (history, polity and society) socio-cultural history of Telangana and formation of Telangana State has been included while in Paper 3 the economy and development of Telangana was included.

TSPSC constituted an Experts Committee to study and make recommendations to review classification of Groups and other services, scheme and pattern of examination. This decision was taken since commission was of the view that existing scheme and syllabus should be prepared as per needs and requirements of the State.

The report submitted by the Experts Committee and recommendations made by TSPSC were studied by a Cabinet Sub-committee, which then forwarded its recommendations to the Chief Minister.