UPSC conducts many examinations and selections, but in the pecking order, the CSE is at the top of the heap. The credibility of the CSE is not in doubt. Candidates may crib about flaws: System of examination, whimsicality of the interviews, the role of luck, but at the end of it all, no one doubts the objectivity and fairness of the process. Anyone who is bright, puts in hard work and has a fair dose of luck (not connections) from any economic or social background can make it.
It’s from this pool of successful candidates that officers are appointed to various services, and that will continue to be so even under the proposed dispensation. And it’s not clear how the future of students will be at risk.
But is it a good idea? In my view, no again, and here’s why.
Unlike the UPSC, the LBSNAA is a training institution (a first-rate one at that), and not a selection body enjoying constitutional status. Adding the marks based on performance in the LBSNAA Foundation Course will place on it the unreasonable burden of selection, without the safeguards.
How? Take the example of the interview marks in the CSE, which are a very small proportion to the total. Yet, they majorly influence the outcome because the thousand-odd candidates (of the 4.5 lakh) who reach that stage are all within fractions of a percentage of each other.
Similarly, the marks of the Foundation Course will have the ability to swing the service allocation. LBSNAA is staffed by serving officers, prone to pulls and pressures like all of us. When it is known that the LBSNAA Foundation Course assessment may determine the selection to a desired service, expect jockeying for marks by hook or crook by the trainee officers.
Expect also allegations of favouritism to fly, which will detract from the main task of training, and potentially damage a fine training institution. Litigation is also a lot more likely under this scenario. Administrative reforms should happen from time to time, but this doesn’t seem to be a particularly better way of doing things.
On a more practical note, CSE aspirants usually try for specific civil services. If they do not get what they seek, some drop out of the race, some decline and try again. Those that join the training have made a conscious choice to accept the service offered. In the proposed dispensation, officers would not know what service they have got. Valuable time, effort and resources would be expended on persons not satisfied with their lot, or those who are going to quit. Again, the value added is doubtful.
The Civil Services Examination of the UPSC and the merit list based system of service allocation based on the CSE has stood the test of time.
As the Americanism goes, if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.