Women’s Education Reduces Fertility Rate Because…’: Bizarre Questions In Exam Spark Row – News18

Last Updated:December 04, 2024, 5:44 PM IST

One question focused on the relationship between women’s education and fertility rates, while the other dealt with alcohol consumption and peer pressure.

Two questions in the Maharashtra Public Service Commission (MPSC) preliminary exam held on December 1 triggered controversy, with concerns raised about their relevance. One question focused on the relationship between women’s education and fertility rates, while the other dealt with alcohol consumption and peer pressure. Education activists and candidates questioned the appropriateness of these questions.

Question on Women’s Education and Fertility Rate

One of the contentious questions asked in the state service exam was: “Women’s education reduces fertility rate because…” with four possible answers:

1. Education increases work opportunities for women.
2. Educated women want their children to be educated too.
3. Education and literacy make women more receptive to information about contraception.
4. Improvement in the economic condition of women.

Candidates criticised this question, arguing that it inaccurately links women’s education directly to fertility rates, suggesting that it should rather focus on birth rates. Education activist Prashant Sathe called the question an example of poor MPSC planning and demanded an official investigation into the matter, raising doubts about the Commission’s standard.

Question on Alcohol Consumption

The second controversial question posed in the exam was about how to avoid drinking alcohol when friends insist. The options were:

1. I will tell my friends that my parents have forbidden me from drinking alcohol.
2. I will refuse to drink alcohol.
3. I will drink alcohol only because friends are drinking.
4. I will refuse and lie that I have liver disease.

Student leader Tukaram Saraf criticised this question as overly simplistic, stating that the answer was obvious and calling for the MPSC to improve the standard of its exams. However, the Coordination Committee for Competitive Exams, a group of competitive exam aspirants, defended the Commission, stating that MPSC has the right to pose such questions to evaluate candidates’ decision-making skills.

Responding to the situation, MPSC Secretary Suvarna Karat explained that the question paper was prepared by a panel of experts. She stated that no MPSC officials, including herself, were aware of the questions until the day of the exam. However, Karat declined to comment on whether any action would be taken regarding the questions in question.

Location :

Maharashtra, India