Guwahati, Feb. 14: Evaluation of answer scripts of all exams conducted by the Assam Public Service Commission (APSC) will now be done under CCTV watch to bring transparency into the examination process.

This was one of the measures initiated by the scam-tainted commission to improve its image in the public eye after the cash-for-jobs scam seriously undermined its credibility.

APSC chairman (in-charge) Brig. (retd) Ranjit Borthakur today said earlier they used to send the answer scripts to the evaluators across the state but now the evaluators will have to come to the APSC office here for evaluation.

According to him, several measures are being taken by the commission to eliminate the chance of any malpractice in the selection process, including video recording of all interviews conducted by it for state government posts.

"For the first time we video-recorded the interviews of the combined competitive exam (CCE) last year but now we will do the same for all examinations conducted by the commission," he said.

Borthakur, a member of the APSC, was appointed in-charge chairman of the commission on December 1 by the state government following the arrest of his predecessor Rakesh Kumar Paul on November 4 last year for his alleged role in the recruitment scam.

Two members and three employees of the commission were also arrested in connection with the scam.

The commission has recently put up a signboard at the entrance of its office at Khanapara here warning candidates that if any of them are found resorting to unfair means during the selection process, they will not only face disqualification but legal action too.

"Our efforts are directed at ensuring a merit-based recruitment process devoid of any external interference or pressure," he said.

According to the police, Paul, during his tenure as APSC chairman, had opened a "job bazaar" by engaging a number of persons to bargain and collect money from candidates appearing for different exams conducted by the commission.

Borthakur said they have also decided to upload the question papers of previous years' exams on its website to help candidates understand the question pattern, which is expected to help them prepare for the written exams.

He said because of the latest reforms initiated in the APSC, a large number of candidates have submitted application forms for CCE (prelim) 2016, which will be held in 22 centres across the state for 205 posts around the end of May.

"So far we have received 16,000 applications and the figure is expected to cross 25,000 on February 18, the last date for filing applications. It shows that we have somewhat succeeded in regaining the lost confidence of the candidates in the APSC," the chairman in-charge said.

He said the commission is planning to adopt a preliminary pattern similar to the UPSC for the state civil service examination from next year, which will require the approval of the state government.

"We will organise a brainstorming session shortly to discuss how to go about it," Borthakur said.