Nagpur: Take any field, Vidarbha would always be found ‘backward.’ MPSC exams are no exception. The pass percentage of students from Vidarbha is on the decline since the past three years. This fact has come to the fore in the results of recently conducted prelims for PSI, ASO (Assistant Section Officer), STI (Sales Tax Inspector), Tax Assistant etc. The picture is dismiss in other competitive exams as well. Vidarbha students fared badly in banking, railway, Staff Selection Commission exams.
The Maharashtra Public Service Commission (MPSC) on July 16, 2017, had conducted exams for the posts of PSIs, ASOs, and STIs. The results of the exams were declared on October 3, 11 and 12 respectively. Shockingly, only 8-9 percent candidates from 11 districts of Vidarbha succeeded to be eligible for main exams. The results of the main exams would be no different as far as pass percentage of students from Vidarbha is concerned. On the other hands, pass percentage of students from Khandesh, Marathwada and Western Maharashtra is much better as compared with Vidarbha.
Vidarbha’s ‘poor’ figures tell the tale:
The number of students who became eligible for main exams for various posts include: Nagpur – 199 students for PSI, 39 for ASO, 77 for STI. Amravati – 230 students for PSI, 39 ASO, 79 STI. Akola – 140 for PSI, 14 ASO, 40 STI. Bhandara – 30 students for PSI, 3 ASO, 7 STI. Buldana – 111 for PSI, 15 ASO, 33 STI. Chandrapur – 52 for PSI, 6 ASO, 14 STI. Gadchiroli – 31 PSI, 7 ASO, 10 STI. Gondia – 14 PSI, 3 ASO, 4 STI. Wardha – 29 PSI, 7 ASI, 15 STI. Washim – 97 for PSI, 27 ASO, 41 STI. Yavatmal – 128 for PSI, 11 ASO, and 42 STI. The total candidates include 1061 for PSI, 171 for STI and 362 for STI.
Reasons for ‘backwardness’:
Students from Vidarbha counted many reasons for ‘backwardness’ of Vidarbha in competitive exams. 40 percent students blamed lack of good coaching centres and deprivation of appropriate guidance. 14 percent students lamented non-availability of ‘perfect’ study material. Another 14 percent students blamed it for lack of encouraging atmosphere needed for preparation of competitive exams. 16 percent students were bogged down by negative attitude and lack of self-confidence. 12 percent students were found wanting in pre-planning in study and 4 percent students wanted ‘success’ with ‘short cuts’ and without hard work.
Expert view:
Dr Ram Patil of Pratibha Institute said that there is good coaching in Vidarbha but since the students are not regular in studies, they fare badly in MPSC exams. The pass percentage in the past three years has remained static 8-9 percent. On the other hand, there is good atmosphere in Pune for MPSC exams. That is why the students there march ahead.
Prof Ghapesh Dhawle blamed it on irregular studies on the part of students from Vidarbha including Nagpur. They hold books just for few months before MPSC exams. Thereafter, study is done in patches. Even otherwise, there is no 24-hour library in any district of Vidarbha including Nagpur.