Former DGP Mahender Reddy likely to be appointed TSPSC chairman

HYDERABAD: If the reports coming from the corridors of power are to be true, the Telangana government seems to be considering to appoint retired DGP M Mahender Reddy as the chairman of the Telangana State Public Service Commission (TSPSC) and the proposals were sent to the governor for approval.

Chief Minister Revanth Reddy has prioritised filling the post of TSPSC Chairman and the government invited applications for the posts of Chairman and Member and a search committee headed by Chief Secretary Santhi Kumari was constituted.

Around 371 applications have been received for these positions, with more than 50 for the post of chairman, which the Chief Secretary examined.

Only one name - of Mr Mahender Reddy - was forwarded to the Governor for consideration.

Mahender Reddy is a 1986 batch officer of the Indian Police Service and served in various capacities including for Commissioner of Cyberabad commissionerate, Commissioner of Hyderabad city police and as the DGP of Telangana for five long years.

Currently, there are 11 member posts in the TSPSC, and two members are already serving. One member has resigned, but the Governor has not yet accepted it, and another member is also likely to resign. In total, there are expected to be 11 vacant posts, although technically, only 9 member posts are currently vacant.

The government aims to make TSPSC similar to the Union Public Service Commission and planned to consider candidates with civil service experience for 50 percent of the posts, while the remaining half will be filled by experts in science, technology, academics, and other fields.

The TSPSC was marred by confusion owing to question paper leaks and exam cancellations, causing concerns among the unemployed. As a result, the government has decided to revamp TSPSC completely.

Chief Minister Revanth Reddy recently discussed with the UPSC Chairman, and officials of the state government have visited states like Kerala to examine their systems.