The UPSC selection process needs fixing.

• The income issue remains unclear, with no clear criteria for whether the candidate’s income or the candidate’s father’s income should be considered.
• The status of a person is established by a certificate, and it is neither reported differently by the applicant nor verified by the authorities.
• The Tehsildar, responsible for issuing the income certificate, has no credentials to verify the status of a person.

Lack of Scrutiny and Transparency
• Despite these issues, there have been no attempts to update rules on income and disability, and no scrutiny of the cases.
• The system is not proactive, with scrutiny only occurring when a complaint is registered.

The Way Forward
• More transparency at every stage using technology could be the solution.
• The government needs to issue clear instructions on both income and disability, applicable across the country.
• A robust system of verification and advanced technology should be used to combat fraud.
• The Department of Personnel and Technology should explain the rationale for allowing mental disability within the disability quota for civil services.
• Serious penalties should be imposed on officers and doctors who certify people wrongly without due diligence.
• The courts play a crucial role in ensuring that the civil services are not a place for self-seekers who only clear the exam to enjoy perks.