Editor,

I wish to draw the attention of the Arunachal Pradesh Public Service Commission (APPSC), the state government, and the youth of Arunachal Pradesh to an issue that has gained increasing significance following APPSCCE-2024.

APPSCCE-2024 has highlighted a concerning variation in the marks awarded across different optional subjects. Since the optional carries 500 marks, it heavily influences the final merit list. In fact, anyone preparing for the civil services, or even having a basic understanding of the examination, would agree that the optional subject plays a decisive role in a candidate’s selection.

Observations from the recent APPSCCE suggest that candidates from certain optional subjects, particularly those from non-conventional or science backgrounds, appeared to have secured substantially higher marks than candidates from many conventional or humanities disciplines, irrespective of their overall performance in the common General Studies (GS) papers. For example, Candidate X with a science optional may be selected over Candidate Y with History as an optional, despite Candidate Y scoring significantly higher in the GS papers. This is not confined to one subject alone; such disparities exist across several optionals, creating a considerable disadvantage for candidates simply because of the optional subject they chose rather than their overall administrative competence.

This is not merely an individual grievance but a larger issue of fairness. It should, in fact, serve as a wake-up call for candidates from conventional optional subjects to collectively seek a more balanced and equitable examination system. A candidate may possess exceptional command over an optional subject such as Geography, Botany, or Animal Husbandry, but excellence in a single academic discipline alone should not become the deciding factor in selecting future administrators. Civil servants are expected to demonstrate sound judgment, social understanding, and a broad grasp of governance, qualities that are assessed more comprehensively through the General Studies papers, rather than mastery of a single academic subject.

Recognising similar concerns, several State Public Service Commissions have revisited their examination patterns. Recently, on June 25, 2026, the Maharashtra Public Service Commission (MPSC) announced the abolition of optional subjects from the State Services Main Examination to ensure a more uniform and equitable evaluation process. Several other State Public Service Commissions, including those of Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, and Bihar, have already adopted a common General Studies-based pattern in response to similar concerns over disparities in optional subject scoring. Even our neighbouring Assam Public Service Commission (APSC) has abolished optional subjects and adopted a common General Studies-based Mains examination for all candidates. Likewise, in the UPSC, disparities in optional subject scoring have remained a subject of debate for years, with repeated calls for greater parity through moderation or structural reforms.

APPSC may therefore consider introducing a transparent moderation or scaling mechanism for optional subjects, as followed by UPSC, or removing optional subjects altogether. Alternatively, it may consider introducing a separate General Studies paper on Arunachal Pradesh or the North East to assess knowledge directly relevant to administration in the state.

The objective is not to favour or oppose any particular discipline but to ensure that every candidate competes on an equal platform. With the next cycle of APPSCCE approaching, this issue is placed before the Commission for its kind consideration in the interest of ensuring a fair, balanced, and level playing field for all candidates, irrespective of their optional subjects.

A Concerned Aspirant