The SSC Combined Graduate Level CGL Tier-1 exam results of 2024, announced on December 6, have triggered an active debate among contestants due to the trends it has highlighted in cut-offs and for transparency concerns.
1. Overview of Results
No. of candidates: Out of 36.73 lakh applicants, over 18 lakh candidates sat for the examination.
Exam Dates: The Tier-1 was held from September 9 to 26, 2024, in computer-based mode.
Cut-Offs: As against 2023, there has been a massive hike in the cut-offs for all categories, triggering debates amongst aspirants.
2. Increased Vacancies vs. Higher Cut-Offs
Vacancies: The vacancies doubled to 17,747 from this year against 8,415 in 2023.
General Category: Cut-off for “Other Posts” is at 153.19 marks against last year’s 150.04 marks
Other similar trends followed the categories like OBC, SC and ST as well.
Candidates have shown bewilderment about how cut-offs rose while the vacancies increased. Higher positions would typically lead to a cut-off score as a consequence of the increasing number of seats available.
3. Aspirant Issues and Complaints
Concerns raised by candidates include the following:
Normalization Process: It has been raised that how scores were normalized between shifts, with a demand for more transparency.
Irregularities Allegation: Some candidates have complained that more than one consecutive roll numbers from the same center were shortlisted, which might be irregular.
Transparency Demands: Aspirants are demanding SSC to publish marks for all candidates.
Reveal the names and exam centers of selected candidates.
Provide transparency on the normalization process.
4. Social Media Reactions
Anger Among Candidates: Several candidates criticized the process through social media. Some term it a “scam.” Others asked for government intervention in the process.
Educationalist Response: The concerned have also attacked some educators who attempted to trivialise the whole affair, escalating anger among the candidates further.
5. Next Stage of Candidates
Tier-2 Exam: Candidates who are eligible to sit for the exam are scheduled for the exam from January 18 through 20, 2025.
Results Withheld: Court orders and investigations withheld results of 146 candidates.
6. SSC’s Response and Calendar Out
SSC has not yet come out with a detailed response to the allegations. However, after issuing the results, it had come up with its examination calendar for the year 2025, which some aspirants feel that this is just an attempt to change the focus of the controversy.
7. Exam Pattern and Marking Scheme
Question Pattern: The Tier-1 exam consisted of 100 objective multiple-choice questions.
Marking Scheme: Each correct answer was rewarded with 2 marks, while for wrong answers, 0.50 marks were deducted.
The SSC CGL Tier-1 results have brought to the fore severe issues related to transparency and fairness. Aspirants continue to demand accountability and request the commission to look into these issues before the Tier-2 exam. The controversy highlights the importance of uniform practices in large-scale competitive examinations.
