Amaravati: The previous Chandrababu Naidu government had taken measures to prevent government employees in the state from passing departmental exams required for promotions and increments. To this end, the then TDP government issued a special government order (GO). Chandrababu's apathy towards government employees is evident from the fact that only 4-6 percent of candidates passed the departmental exams conducted by the APPSC (Andhra Pradesh Public Service Commission) during his rule.

The APPSC conducts departmental tests twice a year. It is a must for the selected candidates to pass these tests to complete their probation and if they fail the exams, their probationary period will get extended. Passing these exams is also required for promotions and increments in other departments. Those who pass these tests will have greater chances for promotions.

Earlier, the departmental tests were easy for the senior employees as it was an open book format and an offline exam. However, Naidu’s government changed the test format from descriptive to multiple choice questions (MCQs) and introduced the online exam system.

Making things further difficult for the employees, the government brought in the negative marking meaning 1/3rd of the mark deducted for every wrong answer. This caused difficulties for senior staff unfamiliar with the online and MCQ format.

Between 2017-2019, employee unions said they were losing promotions and increments due to this negative marking policy. This was an unprecedented policy not found in any other state. The unions demanded the then government to withdraw the negative marking system but the government ignored their demands.

After the formation of the YSRCP government in the state, the employee unions submitted several representations to the State Public Service Commission requesting to remove the negative marking system in the departmental examinations. After careful review, the YS Jagan government issued GO No.101 abolishing the negative marking system for the benefit of employees. As a result, over 85 percent now pass the exams and receive their due promotions and increments.

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