"Blunder!" MPSC's 'education for women reduces fertility due to...' question sparks controversy

Two multiple-choice questions in the Maharashtra Public Service Commission (MPSC) preliminary examination have sparked criticism from education activists and some candidates, who have questioned their relevance for a civil services exam.

One of the questions asked: “Education for women reduces fertility due to...”. The four options were:

1. "Education improves work opportunity for women"
2. "Educated women want their own children to be educated"
3. "Education and literacy make women more receptive to information about contraception"
4. "Improving economic condition of women"

Many candidates felt the question was poorly framed. One exam taker pointed out that women’s education might relate to childbirth, but not directly to fertility. "Asking such a question is definitely a blunder," the candidate said.

Another controversial question asked about handling peer pressure regarding alcohol. The options were:

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

This question also raised eyebrows, with some seeing it as too simple or obvious. As reported by TOI, Tukaram Saraf, a student leader, said it seemed like a “no-brainer” and that such questions lowered MPSC’s standards. He called for MPSC to improve its questioning process.

Bharati Biswas-Bhandekar, a women’s rights activist, criticised the first question on women’s education, saying there is no scientific evidence linking educated women with lower fertility. She accused MPSC of spreading false information.

MPSC secretary Suvarna Karat responded, stating that a panel of experts had framed the questions and that no one at MPSC knew the content of the paper until it was distributed. However, she did not answer whether the panel would be questioned about the controversial questions.

Education activist Prashant Sathe also criticised the commission, calling the questions a sign of shoddy functioning. He said MPSC’s inability to frame good questions raised doubts about its ability to screen candidates properly.

While many criticised the questions, a youth movement supporting the MPSC, called "Coordination Committee for Competitive Exams", defended the commission. They argued that the questions were meant to assess decision-making skills and intelligence, which are important for competitive exams.

Inputs from TOI