Karnataka govt spent Rs 6.2cr to train IAS, IPS aspirants; Only 4 of 892 cleared prelims
Bengaluru: The Karnataka government spent Rs 6.2 crore to establish coaching centres and train IAS and IPS aspirants from the Kalyana Karnataka region. However, only four out of 892 beneficiaries from the first batch in 2021-22 cleared the preliminary stage of the Civil Services Exam (CSE) conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC).
The government paid Rs 5.4 crore to hire four coaching institutes to train candidates across six districts and spent an additional Rs 83.2 lakh on a monthly stipend of Rs 6,000 for each trainee.
This information was revealed by an internal audit of the IAS/KAS training programme implemented by the Kalyana Karnataka Human Resource, Agricultural and Cultural Society (KKHRACS). The audit was conducted by the Karnataka Monitoring and Evaluation Authority. According to the assessment report published in June 2024 and cited by Times of India on Tuesday, only 64 of the interviewed candidates (13%) opted to appear for the CSE, while the remaining 430 candidates (87%) did not attend the IAS exams for which they had received intensive training.
“About 36.8% of the sample size attended the training for the entire period. However, the accounts revealed that the stipend was disbursed to 85.2% of the trainees,” the audit found.
The study further identified several factors contributing to the poor performance, including limited access to online resources due to poor telecom networks. Training sessions were conducted in both online and offline formats while previously adhering to Covid protocols.
Trainees also highlighted issues such as a lack of smartphones, insufficient mobile data for lengthy training sessions, and subpar training content. “Some revealed that their target was KAS as they were convinced that the training for the UPSC exam would yield positive results in the KPSC exam,” the study stated, as cited by the news outlet.
The study mentioned that 69% of the trainees wrote other competitive exams, with nearly 17% successfully clearing those, despite the training being specifically aimed to excel in IAS/IPS.
Based on the findings, the evaluation authority recommended that the government conduct these training programs regularly over a longer duration to improve success rates. They also suggested increasing the monthly stipend and ensuring timely payments, taking into account inflation and rising living costs.
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Gold, silver soar as US-Iran deal hopes lift bullion demand
New Delhi (PTI): Gold prices rebounded by Rs 2,900 to Rs 1.55 lakh per 10 grams in the national capital on Wednesday, while silver climbed to Rs 2.54 lakh per kilogram as easing geopolitical tensions triggered a pullback in oil rates, boosting demand for precious metals.
According to the All India Sarafa Association, the yellow metal of 99.9 per cent purity jumped by Rs 2,900, or nearly 2 per cent, to Rs 1,55,400 per 10 grams (inclusive of all taxes) from Tuesday's closing level of Rs 1,52,500 per 10 grams.
Traders attributed the surge in bullion prices to reports that Washington and Tehran are close to finalising a framework agreement to end months of conflict, raising the prospects of smoother flows through the Strait of Hormuz and easing inflation concerns tied to energy markets.
"Gold rallied strongly on Wednesday as easing geopolitical tensions triggered a sharp reversal in key macro drivers that had recently pressured precious metals," Saumil Gandhi, Senior Analyst - Commodities at HDFC Securities, said.
Silver prices also advanced for the third straight session by rising Rs 3,500, or 1.4 per cent, to Rs 2,54,500 per kg (inclusive of all taxes). The metal had settled at Rs 2,51,000 per kg in the previous session, as per the Association.
"The prospect of a diplomatic breakthrough triggered a steep decline in oil prices and the US dollar, easing concerns about inflation while boosting demand for precious metals," Gandhi said.
Globally, spot gold increased by USD 106.15, or 2.33 per cent, to USD 4,663.70 per ounce while silver gained USD 3.40, or 4.68 per cent, to USD 76.24 per ounce.
"Gold witnessed a sharp rally as markets reacted positively to reports that the US and Iran are moving closer to a one-page agreement framework aimed at ending the conflict," Jateen Trivedi, VP Research Analyst - Commodity and Currency, LKP Securities, said.
Despite strong international gains, rupee strength limited the upside in domestic gold prices. The market is now highly focused on final confirmation and execution of the proposed deal, he added.
Any negative surprise or breakdown in negotiations could trigger a sharp sell-off in gold, while a successful agreement and sustained ceasefire could push the bullion prices higher in the near-term, Trivedi said.
