Haryana's Computer Science Teacher Recruitment Fiasco: A Tale of Missteps and Misinterpretations
The Haryana Public Service Commission's (HPSC) recruitment process for computer science teachers has sparked a heated debate, with only 39 candidates qualifying out of 5,100 who took the written test, leaving 1,672 positions unfilled. This controversy has ignited criticism from opposition parties and candidates, raising questions about the commission's evaluation criteria and its impact on young careers.
The saga began in 2019 when the Haryana Staff Selection Commission advertised 1,711 PGT Computer Science posts. However, the process took a turn when the government transferred all PGT selections to HPSC, leading to a re-advertisement in 2023. The qualifying criterion of 35% marks has been a central point of contention, with many candidates struggling to meet this threshold.
One such candidate, a top-performing student with a consistent first division throughout her academic career, failed to cross the 35% threshold. This sparked outrage, as she had cleared other exams like HTET, showcasing her academic prowess. Similarly, Manika Ahuja, a double gold medallist with a Bachelor's and Master's degree from Panjab University, along with LLB and LLM degrees, had previously failed the HPSC written test for assistant professor (English) in December.
The controversy deepened when HPSC issued a fresh advertisement for 1,672 posts even before completing the selection process, marking a first in the commission's history. This move has raised suspicions about the commission's intentions, with some arguing that it's a deliberate strategy to keep vacancies unfilled.
The pattern of low qualification rates is not new. In December 2025, only 151 candidates qualified for interviews for assistant professor (English) positions, out of 613 advertised. This trend has led to accusations of a systematic conspiracy to deny jobs, with leaders like Abhay Singh Chautala calling for a thorough examination of the exam's fairness and evaluation process.
Critics argue that the 35% qualifying criterion is too stringent, especially for high-performing students. The demand for a third-party evaluation of answer sheets and a revision of results has gained momentum, with candidates questioning the fairness of the elimination-based recruitment test.
However, Mukesh Ahuja, an IAS officer serving as HPSC Secretary, defends the commission's approach. He clarifies that the recruitment exams are designed to eliminate candidates step-by-step, focusing on conceptual understanding, depth of knowledge, analytical skills, aptitude, problem-solving, and decision-making under pressure. He emphasizes that the commission's minimum qualifying marks are set to ensure only the best-suited candidates proceed.
Regarding the computer science exam, Ahuja addresses the complaints about the paper's difficulty and questions outside the syllabus. The expert panel found that one out of 15 questions was outside the syllabus, and these were addressed to ensure fairness.
Despite the controversies, HPSC's decision to re-advertise 1,672 posts aims to provide recommendations for the 1,711 vacancies. However, the process has left a bitter taste, with many questioning the commission's commitment to fair and efficient recruitment.
