Multiple Choice Questions: RBE No.91/2022 – Selection – Incorrect MCQ, Keys, Answers

No.E(NG)I/2018/PM1/4, dated 03.08.2022

Sub: Selection for promotion from erstwhile Group ‘D’ to Group ‘C’ and within Group ‘C’ staff through Suitability Test, PQ, LDCE, GDCE etc. – Publication of answer keys for the objective type multiple choice questions papers reg. – clarification.

Attention is invited to Board’s letter of even number dated 19.05.2022 (RBE No.59/2022) on the above mentioned subject vide which clarifications have been issued for dealing with the procedure to be adopted for evaluation in Departmental  selections based on multiple choice questions, if some of the question(s) in the question paper is/are incorrect. 

The matter has been reviewed by the Board on clarifications sought by certain Railways and it has been decided that instructions contained in the aforesaid letter may continue. As regards introduction of an objective tracker kind of system in the interest of transparency and accuracy, as suggested by one of the Zonal Railways, it is advised that the Railways may devise their own system as has already been done by some of the railways. System adopted by Southern railway in this regard is enclosed herewith for ready reference.

This disposes of NCR’s letter No.797-E/NCR/Policy/Selection/2022, dated 06.06.2022 and SCR’s letter No.P(R)605/XV, dated 14.06.2022 on the issue.

Hindi version will follow.

Please acknowledge receipt of this letter.

Headquarters Office

Personal Branch

Chennai 600003

No.P(R)/608/P/Vol.IX, dated 01.11.2021

NOTE

Sub: Publishing of keys for the Objective type Multiple choice Questions in written examinations for selections under Promotional Quota, LDCE, GDCE and suitability tests for promotions to and within Group ‘C’.

Ref: RBE No.196/2018 circulated vide PBC No.263/2018, dt. 12.12.2018.

Railway Board vide above reference has introduced the pattern of 100% Objective type multiple choice questions for all selections for promotions of staff within Group ‘C’ and from Group ‘D’ to Group ‘C’.

In this pattern of examination, there are possibilities of (a) giving wrong keys, (b) incorrect wording of questions, (c) multiple right answers, or (d) all wrong answers. This situation may lead to unnecessary grievances and litigations by the examinees which may result in complete annulling of the entire selection process. 

In view of the above, it has been decided that henceforth the following procedure may be adopted immediately after the completion of Main exams and Supplementary exams (if applicable), for promotion to and within Group ‘C’ through PRQ, LDCE, GDCE and suitability tests.

1. The Paper setting authority shall arrange to furnish the keys immediately after the exam.

2. The keys given by the respective paper setting authority will be published in the Rail net website.

3. The above notification will contain only the Keys of Main and Supplementary exam (if applicable) for all selections, along with the list of candidates who attended the exam.

4. The Examinees of the corresponding exams will be given only 7 days (including intervening holidays) from the day next to date of publishing of keys in website to make a written representation with respect to Keys and ambiguity in Questions to their respective Personal Branch Officer, through their Controlling Officer. The Controlling Officer, shall send the same with confirmation of identity of the examinee making the representation immediately to the concerned Personal Branch Officer, who in turn will forward the same to the Paper setting Authority within 3 days after 7^th day duly certifying the identity of the examinee raising the objection.

5.  If there is NIL representation, the same shall be communicated by the respective Personal Officer within the stipulated time.

6. No further time will be given under any circumstances for the exercise detailed at para 4.

7. While making the representation, the authority for the same should be invariably enclosed by the examinee, without which the representation will not be considered.

8. The keys will also be sent to the respective Evaluator simultaneously during the above process.

9. The Evaluator is also obliged to point out any discrepancies in the Keys to the Paper setting authority through the Personal Branch Officer concerned.

10. The decision of the Paper setting authority after this exercise will be final and no further correspondence in this regard will be entertained.

11. The final Keys along with decision taken on the representations received will be published in the Rail net.

12. Evaluation will be started only after the completion of para 11 above.

13. Decision of the competent authority in case of discounting of any questions or otherwise on account of ‘incorrect wording of questions’ or ‘all answers are wrong’ situations will also be communicated along with publishing of final keys.

This has the approval of PCPO.

Download Railway Board Circular RBE No.91/2022                                             

Forward reference ⇒ RBE No.