Job aspirants in a fix over Telugu Akademi books

The confusion among the aspirants arose after TGPSC informed the High Court that the books of Telugu Akademi, a government institution, could not be treated as an authentic source in a competitive examination

Hyderabad: Are Telugu Akademi books for competitive examination preparation authentic or not? This is the dilemma faced by scores of government job aspirants in the State.

The confusion among the aspirants arose after Telangana Public Service Commission (TGPSC) informed the High Court that the books of Telugu Akademi, a government institution, could not be treated as an authentic source in a competitive examination.

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During the recent court hearing with regards to objections on the Group – I preliminary test final key, the Commission in a counter affidavit said content printed in the Telugu Akademi’s Telangana History-Culture 2016 edition was not based on any research work.

The Akademi’s Telangana Regional Geography book content was also questioned by the Commission, which said the book does not contain material based on research work as no such reference was done.

“The book is written more in the form of running notes. This book is mere compilation of material from different sources and organised under various chapters,” it said.

This submission by the TGPSC has left several Group-II and III services and other government job aspirants worried as they relied on the Akademi books for content on Telangana’s History, Culture, Geography, Telangana Movement and State formation for several years.

“Just to justify their final key in the court, the TGPSC termed the Telugu Akademi books as not standard for the competitive exams. This resulted in a lot of confusion among the Group aspirants on what books to refer to,” said Sharath Chandra, a Group job aspirant.

The Commission’s submission in the court had the candidates scrambling to reassess their study materials. With no alternative recommendations provided by the TGPSC, candidates are unsure where to turn for the reliable resources for competitive examination preparation.

“It is shocking to know that Telugu Akademi books are not being treated as an authentic source. I prepared from these books for the last five years. Now, I am also referring to the private publications,” said Venkatesh, a Group – II and III job aspirant.

The coaching experts urged the TGPSC to notify the reference books for the Group examinations as was done by the erstwhile APPSC. The Group-III recruitment exam for 1,363 vacancies is scheduled for November 17 and 18, while Group – II services exam for 783 vacancies is on December 15 and 16.