APAR MCQs: APAR Quiz for IPO Exam & PSS Gr B Exam

APAR MCQs: APAR Quiz for IPO Exam & PSS Gr B Exam will Cover Self-appraisal, the role of Reporting Officer, Reviewing Officer, SPARROW, timelines. Thus it makes you prepare and revise the subject thoroughly. In this post, you will clearly learn:

(i) What is APAR?

(ii) What is SPARROW

APAR online: SPARROW — APAR online SPARROW

(iii) Timelines for submission of Self-appraisal, APAR writing by Reporting Officer, review by Reviewing officer, and lots more.

Let’s dive right now.

What is the full form of APAR?

The full form of APAR is the Annual Performance Appraisal Report. APARs have replaced the erstwhile confidential reports entailing communication of the performance report to the officer reporting upon.

It’s time for APAR Quiz in MCQs.

APAR Quiz

Now you are right off to play Quiz on APAR.

Created on November 15, 2020

APAR Quiz

1 / 31

It has been made mandatory for all officers in CSS/CSSS/CSCS in the cadre of Deputy Secretary and above for the online recording of APAR through SPARROW. Expand SPARROW?

A) Smart Performance Appraisal Report Rating Online Website

B) Specific Performance Appraisal Report Recording Online Web

C) Special Performance Appraisal Recording Report Online Window

D) Smart Performance Appraisal Report Recording Online Window

2 / 31

Submission of the report (APAR) by Reporting officer to reviewing officer to be completed( as per time schedule prescribed) normally by:

A) 30th April

B) 30th May

C) 30th June

D) 30st July

3 / 31

Normally, the date by which the submission of the self-appraisal to the Reporting Officer, be completed, by the officer to be reported upon w.r.t. writing of APAR is:

A) 1st April

B) 10th April

C) 15th April

D) 30th April

4 / 31

APARs numerically graded below 4 will be given a score of:

A) ''Zero'' for the purpose of calculating average scores foe empanelment/promotion

B) ''5'' for the purpose of calculating average scores foe empanelment/promotion

C) ''4'' for the purpose of calculating average scores foe empanelment/promotion

D) None of these

5 / 31

The APARs numerically graded between 8 and short of 10 will be rated as:

A) '' Very Good'' and will be given a score of ''8''for the purpose of calculating average scores for empanelment/promotion

B) ''Very Good'' and will be given a score of ''9'' for the purpose of calculating average scores foe empanelment/promotion

C) ''Outstanding'' and will be given a score of ''9'' for the purpose of calculating average scores foe empanelment/promotion

D) ''Outstanding'' and will be given a score of ''10'' for the purpose of calculating average scores foe empanelment/promotion

6 / 31

APARs numerically graded between 6 and short of 8 will be rated as:

A) ''Very Good'' and will be given a score of 7

B) '' Good'' and will be given a score of 5

C) ''Very Good'' and will be given a score of 8

D) '' Good'' and will be given a score of 7

7 / 31

What percentage of weightage on (i) assessment of work output(ii) assessment of personal attributes (iii) assessment of functional competency respectively will the overall score grade on a score of 1-10 in APARs be based on?

A) (i) 35%, (ii) 35% (iii) 30%

B) (i) 30%, (ii) 40% (iii) 30%

C) (i) 30%, (ii) 30% (iii) 40%

D) (i) 40%, (ii) 30% (iii) 30%

8 / 31

The time period after which the APARs relating to the retired officer may be destroyed from the date of retirement is:

A) 1 year

B) 2 years

C) 3 years

D) 5 years

9 / 31

The time period after which the APARs relating to the deceased officer may be destroyed from the date of his death is:

(MOCK TEST PS GROUP B)

A) 1 year

B) 2 years

C) 3 years

D) 5 years

10 / 31

What is the time limit within which the Reviewing Officer is allowed to review the report (APAR) on his subordinates from the date of his retirement/demission of office?

A) 10 Days

B) 15 Days

C) 1 month

D) Kept Blank and Reporting Officer report will be final

11 / 31

The time limit within which the reporting officer is allowed to give the report (APAR) on his subordinates from the date of his retirement/demission of office is:

A) 10 Days

B) 15 Days

C) 30 Days

D) 60 Days

12 / 31

Which of the following statements are incorrect w.r.t. APAR?

(i)APAR to be written within one month of expiry of the reporting period.

(ii) When there is no Reporting officer having requisite experience, the Reviewing Officer will himself initiate the report a Reporting officer, and such a report will be reviewed by the officer above the Reviewing officer.

(iii)A reporting officer/reviewing officer under suspension, APAR maybe got written /reviewed by the concerned officer within 2 months from the date of his having been placed under suspension or within one month from the date on which report was due, whichever is later.

(iv)No officer under suspension should be allowed to write /review the APARs on his subordinates, if during the major part of writing/reviewing he is under suspension as he might not have full opportunity to supervise the work of his subordinates.

A) (i) only

B) (ii) & (iv)

C) (i) (ii) (iii) (iv)

D) None of these

13 / 31

Reporting Officer ''A'' for an employee ''B'' has not availed any leave and observed for the full 12 months in FY 2019-20. In case the Reviewing officer ''C'' was retired on 31-12-2019, and the new Reviewing officer ''D'' joined on 31-12-2019 A/N and had availed of EL w/o Mc for 17 days from 15-03-2020 to 31-03-2020; then the APAR for the whole period of 2019-20 of the employee ''B'' will be reviewed by:

[Hint: Vide DG P & T Letter No. 27-3/79-Disc-I., dated 11-09-1981]

A) Reviewing Officer ''C'' who has maximum period of observation than ''D'' and as ''D'' has observation of less than 3 months

B) Reviewing Officer ''D'' who last Officer at the time of end of financial year(reporting year) and ''C'' is retired.

C) Reporting Officer ''A'' who has maximum period of observation than ''C'' & ''D'' and ''C'' is retired and ''D'' has less than 3 months of observation of ''B''

D) Kept Blank with suitable note by either reviewing officer or reporting officer

14 / 31

Reporting Officer ''A'' for an employee ''B'' after working for 6 months was transferred to another place on 01-10-2019. In case the Reviewing officer ''C'' was also transferred on 25-12-2019 to another place, and the new Reviewing officer ''D'' joined on 31-12-2019 and had availed of EL w/o mc for 18 days from 14-03-2020 to 31-03-2020; then the APAR for the whole period of 2019-20 of the employee ''B'' will be reviewed by:

[Hint: Vide DG P & T Letter No. 27-3/79-Disc-I., dated 11-09-1981]

A) Reporting Officer ''A'' as he has observed for more period than ''C'' & ''D''

B) Reviewing Officer ''C'' as he has observed for more than 3 months

C) Reviewing Officer ''D'' as he has observed for more than 3 months and the last person to note his findings in the FY 2019-20

D) Report will be kept blank as the last Reviewing authority has not observed for more than 3 months

15 / 31

The Reporting Officer ''A'' for an employee ''B'' after working for 6 months was transferred to another place on 01-10-2019. In case the Reviewing officer ''C'' was also transferred on 25-12-2019 to another place, and the new Reviewing officer ''D'' joined on 31-12-2019 and had not applied for any leave up to 31-03-2020; then the APAR for the whole period of 2019-20 of the employee ''B'' will be reviewed by:

[Hint: Vide DG P & T Letter No. 27-3/79-Disc-I., dated 11-09-1981]

A) Reviewing Officer ''C'' as he has observed major portion of 2019-20

B) Reviewing Officer ''D'' as he has observed at least 3 months in 2019-20

C) Reporting Officer ''A'' as he has observed more period than ''C'' & ''D''

D) APAR will be kept blank and reviewed by none.

16 / 31

Suppose a Reporting Officer ''A'' for an employee ''B'' after working for 6 months was transferred to another place on 01-10-2019. In case the Reviewing officer ''C'' was also transferred on 05-01-2020 to another place, and the new Reviewing officer ''D'' joined on 06-01-2020; then the APAR of the employee ''B'' will be reviewed by:

[Hint: Vide DG P & T Letter No. 27-3/79-Disc-I., dated 11-09-1981]

A) Reviewing officer ''D''

B) Reviewing officer ''C''

C) Reporting officer ''A''

D) APAR will be Reviewed by none and Left blank as ''D'' has less than 3 months of observation on B

17 / 31

The Reporting officer ''A'' of employee ''B'' has joined the new station on 31-12-2019. ''A'' availed of 17 days of continuous EL w/o MC in 2020 before 31-03-2020. ''B'' has not availed any type of leave during this period. In such a situation, what would be the correct procedure of writing APAR for employee ''B'' by Reporting officer ''A'' for that financial year 2019-20?

A) ''A'' should not write APAR for ''B'' as it is less than 3 months of observation

B) ''A'' should write APAR for ''B'' as it is not less than 3 months of observation

C) ''A'' should write APAR for ''B'' with the permission of Reviewing officer of ''B''

D) ''A'' should write APAR for ''B'' after 15 days of further observation in 2020-21

18 / 31

Which of the following statements are incorrect w.r.t. APAR?

(i) Report for the entire year can be reviewed if the reviewing officer had observed for a short period of 3-4 months and so no part report necessary in such cases.

(ii) Review remarks of the Reviewing Officer are treated as final and only these will be taken into account by DPC, etc.

(iii) No report (APAR) should be written unless a Reporting Officer has at least 3 months' experience on which to base his report.

(iv) The responsibility of obtaining APARs in parts owing to the case of transfer of Reporting officers etc should be that of the Head of the Department or the Office.

A) (i) (ii) (iii) & (iv)

B) (i) & (iv)

C) (ii) & (iii)

D) None of these

19 / 31

The time limit within which the Reporting officer, who is transferred during the year, should write APARs for all the staff under his control up to date of his transfer is:

A) 1-2 weeks of his transfer

B) 2-3 weeks of his transfer

C) 3-4 weeks of his transfer

D) 3-5 weeks of his transfer

20 / 31

What is the bench-mark prescribed for grant of financial up-gradation under MACPs as per the Seventh CPC?

A) ''Good'' for all posts

B) ''Very Good'' for all posts

C) '' Average'' for all posts

D) None of these

21 / 31

Which of the following statements w.r.t APAR is incorrect?

(i) Maintenance of Character rolls is not enjoined by any statute or rules framed under Article 309 of the Consitution.

(ii) Principles regarding the record of APAR & communication of adverse remarks have been laid down in administrative instructions issued from time to time.

(iii) At the time of the record of APARs, the employee is not entitled to any hearing.

(iv)The time period prescribed in the circular for communication of the adverse entry is not mandatory but directive. If the adverse entry is not communicated in time, it is not wiped out.

A) (i) only

B) (iv) only

C) (i) (ii) (iii) &(iv)

D) None of the above

22 / 31

What is the time limit within which a memorial or appeal against the rejection of the representation against adverse remarks in APAR is to be allowed from the date of such rejection?

A) 1 month

B) 2 months

C) 3 months

D) 6 months

23 / 31

The time limit within which the decision of the Competent Authority on Adverse remarks in APAR and final grading will be communicated to the concerned officer is:

A) 7 Days

B) 10 Days

C) 15 days

D) 30 Days

24 / 31

What is the time limit within which a representation against the adverse remarks in APAR should be decided by the Competent Authority from the date of submission of such representation?

A) 10 Days

B) 14 Days

C) 15 Days

D) 30 Days

25 / 31

Which of the following statements are NOT True w.r.t. APAR. The representation by an employee on adverse remarks in APAR will lie to: (i) the authority immediately superior to the countersigning authority, if any, or to the reporting officer (ii) If the immediate superior had already reviewed the APAR in question and also expressed his views, either by agreeing or disagreeing with the adverse remarks recorded and accepted by the countersigning authority, in that event the representation lies to the next higher authority. (iii) If necessary, competent authority to decide the representation of APAR entries may consult the Reporting Officer and the countersigning officer.

A) (iii) only

B) (i) (ii) & (iii)

C) (i) (ii) only

D) None of the above

26 / 31

How many representations (maximum) from an employee are allowed against the adverse remarks made in APAR within the prescribed period from the date of communication of such remarks?

A) 1 representation

B) 2 representations

C) 3 representations

D) 5 representations

27 / 31

The time limit within which any representation against the entries in APAR can be made by the concerned officer/employee, from the date of receipt of APAR is:

A) 7 days

B) 14 days

C) 15 days

D) 30 days

28 / 31

What is the time limit within which the adverse remarks in APAR are to be communicated to the employee from the date they are recorded?

A) 10 days

B) 15 days

C) 1 month

D) 2 months

29 / 31

Under the System of writing APAR, every Official(except in case of clerical & other categories doing repetitive nature) at the end of each year should submit a brief resume of the work done by him during the year, bringing out any special achievements, not exceeding:

A) 100 words

B) 200 words

C) 300 words

D) 500 words

30 / 31

Which of the following statements are incorrect w.r.t. writing APAR?

(i) Every warning/reprimand/displeasure issued in writing need not automatically find a place in the APAR.

(ii) only cases in which despite such warning, etc, the officer has not improved, appropriate mention of such warning, etc, may be made in the APAR.

(iii) Remarks like " Doubtful character'', '' complaints received about taking illegal gratification'' are permissible

(iv) Reference to specific incidents may be made, if at all, only by way of general nature, e.g., inefficiency, dilatoriness, lack of initiative or judgement etc''

A) (iii) &(iv) only

B) (i) (ii) & (iii)

C) (iii) only

D) (i) (iv)

31 / 31

APAR should be written invariably at the end if the year which must be done within:

A) 1 month

B) 2 months

C) 3 months

D) 6 months

Your score is

The average score is 58%

What is APAR?

APAR is an important document providing the basic and vital inputs for assessing the performance of the Government servant annually called an Annual Performance Appraisal Report. So you have to write with due care in an objective and impartial manner.

ORU: Officer Reported Upon: Employee for whom APAR is written. Self-appraisal is submitted by certain cadres of employees whose work is not repetitive in nature.
Reporting Officer: The Immediate Officer who is empowered to write APAR for his subordinates
Reviewing Officer: The Officer who reviews the APAR written by Reporting Officer on the Employees and records his version and gives final numerical grading. He can either agree, disagree, or modify the remarks of the Reporting Officer.
Accepting Authority: In some cadres Accepting Authorities are prescribed whose remarks will be final on accepting the remarks of Reviewing Authority.

Important Ruling on APAR

You might be wondering where some application type of questions (calculations involved) are framed in the above Quiz.

To clear the confusion, I am quoting the rule here for your convenience sake.

Some of the questions in the Quiz were given based on the following important ruling on APAR.

Transfer of Reporting and/or Reviewing Officer in the middle of the Reporting year:

If an officer is transferred during the middle of the reporting year, he should immediately write the CRs of his subordinates in respect of the year, he should immediately write the CRs(now APARs) of his subordinates in respect of the year for the period up to date of his transfer, provided that the period is at least 6 months, and the reports should be submitted to the reviewing authority who will retain them in his custody and record his remarks in the reviewing portions in the last of the reports for the year, taking into account the reports for the previous portions of the year also, submitted to him by the transferred officers, at the time of their transfer.

If the reviewing authority is transferred not simultaneously with Reporting Officer but after some time, he will hand over such reports to his successor and the successor will review the reports if he happens to heave 3 months of experience. Otherwise, the previous reviewing authority will review the reports at the end of the year.

If however, a reviewing authority retires while there is no change in the Reporting Officer and the subsequent reviewing authority does not have 3 months experience of the work and conduct of the reportee, the reviewing portion will be left blank with a suitable note, recorded therein.

This note can be recorded by the new reviewing authority who could not review the report because he did not have even 3 months of experience, or by the Reporting officer himself.

[D.G, P& T., Letter No. 27-3/79-Disc. I dated the 11th September 1981]

Purpose of APAR

The purpose of APAR is:
1. Clearing probation
2. Confirmation
3. Promotion
4. Selection: (i) Central Staffing Scheme,(ii) Deputation
5. Sensitive posting
6. Review under Fundamental Rule 56(j) (premature retirement)

APAR Numerical Grading

APAR Numerical Grading	Rating	Final Score for the purpose of calculating average scores for empanelment/promotion
8-10	Out Standing	9
6-8	Very Good	7
4-6	Good	5
Less than 4	–	Zero

Integrity Column in APAR

As per DOPT OM No. 2 1011/1/2010-Estt.A(it-II) dated 23. 07.2009, generally, the integrity column may be remarked as one of the three mentioned below:

(i)	Beyond doubt
(ii)	Since the integrity of the officer is doubtful, a secret note is attached.
(iii)	Not watched the officer`s work for sufficient time to form a definite judgment but nothing adverse has been reported to me about the officer.

What is SPARROW?

SPARROW is an online system for performance appraisal of CSS/CSSS/CSCS officers maintained by the National Informatics Centre(NIC).

The system aims to bring more transparency in the recording of performance appraisals, to eliminate loss of PARs during the transition, to ensure better monitoring and timely completion of PARs, and to provide easy and immediate access to the PARs by authorized stakeholders.

The Officers can submit their annual Immovable Property Returns (IPRs) through SPARROW.

In the Department of Posts, all APARs pertaining to Group ”A” officers (SSP Cadre onwards) are processed in SPARROW.

SPARROW Features

The system was launched on 01/04/2014.

The responsibility to update the requisite details in respect of officers was passed on to the Employee Master Data (EMD) manager of the respective Cadre/Central Ministry or Department.

SPARROW system generates auto-alerts in respect of the officers whose PARs are pending beyond the stipulated timeline.

SPARROW Abbreviations

(i) PAR: Performance Appraisal Report

(ii) MaA: Memorial against Assessment

(iii) CR: Central Repository

(iv) EMD: Employee Manager Details

(v) SPOC: Single Point of Contact

(vi) CCA: Cadre Controlling Authority

(vii) DSC: Digital Signing Certificate

(viii)ORU: Officer Reported Upon

The following are additional readings that you can go through if you have time to afford it.

SPARROW PPT

The SPARROW Guidelines

SPARROW Help guide

SPARROW User Manual

*** *** ***

Now it’s your turn.

Which question from the above Quiz on APAR did you like the most?

Let me know in the comments section below right now.

2 thoughts on “APAR MCQs: APAR Quiz for IPO Exam & PSS Gr B Exam”

HITESH PATHAK says:

November 19, 2020 at 12:31 pm

Sir this is extremely useful. Sir can we expect a quiz on Savings Bank and PLI

1. Admin says:
  
  November 19, 2020 at 3:23 pm
  
  Welcome, Hitesh!. Let me try

What is the full form of APAR?

APAR Quiz

It has been made mandatory for all officers in CSS/CSSS/CSCS in the cadre of Deputy Secretary and above for the online recording of APAR through SPARROW. Expand SPARROW?

Submission of the report (APAR) by Reporting officer to reviewing officer to be completed( as per time schedule prescribed) normally by:

Normally, the date by which the submission of the self-appraisal to the Reporting Officer, be completed, by the officer to be reported upon w.r.t. writing of APAR is:

APARs numerically graded below 4 will be given a score of:

The APARs numerically graded between 8 and short of 10 will be rated as:

What percentage of weightage on (i) assessment of work output(ii) assessment of personal attributes (iii) assessment of functional competency respectively will the overall score grade on a score of 1-10 in APARs be based on?

(MOCK TEST PS GROUP B)

What is the time limit within which the Reviewing Officer is allowed to review the report (APAR) on his subordinates from the date of his retirement/demission of office?

The time limit within which the reporting officer is allowed to give the report (APAR) on his subordinates from the date of his retirement/demission of office is:

Which of the following statements are incorrect w.r.t. APAR?

(i) Report for the entire year can be reviewed if the reviewing officer had observed for a short period of 3-4 months and so no part report necessary in such cases.

(ii) Review remarks of the Reviewing Officer are treated as final and only these will be taken into account by DPC, etc.

(iii) No report (APAR) should be written unless a Reporting Officer has at least 3 months' experience on which to base his report.

(iv) The responsibility of obtaining APARs in parts owing to the case of transfer of Reporting officers etc should be that of the Head of the Department or the Office.

The time limit within which the Reporting officer, who is transferred during the year, should write APARs for all the staff under his control up to date of his transfer is:

What is the time limit within which a memorial or appeal against the rejection of the representation against adverse remarks in APAR is to be allowed from the date of such rejection?

The time limit within which the decision of the Competent Authority on Adverse remarks in APAR and final grading will be communicated to the concerned officer is:

What is the time limit within which a representation against the adverse remarks in APAR should be decided by the Competent Authority from the date of submission of such representation?

How many representations (maximum) from an employee are allowed against the adverse remarks made in APAR within the prescribed period from the date of communication of such remarks?

The time limit within which any representation against the entries in APAR can be made by the concerned officer/employee, from the date of receipt of APAR is:

What is the time limit within which the adverse remarks in APAR are to be communicated to the employee from the date they are recorded?

Under the System of writing APAR, every Official(except in case of clerical & other categories doing repetitive nature) at the end of each year should submit a brief resume of the work done by him during the year, bringing out any special achievements, not exceeding:

Which of the following statements are incorrect w.r.t. writing APAR?

(i) Every warning/reprimand/displeasure issued in writing need not automatically find a place in the APAR.

(ii) only cases in which despite such warning, etc, the officer has not improved, appropriate mention of such warning, etc, may be made in the APAR.

(iii) Remarks like " Doubtful character'', '' complaints received about taking illegal gratification'' are permissible

(iv) Reference to specific incidents may be made, if at all, only by way of general nature, e.g., inefficiency, dilatoriness, lack of initiative or judgement etc''

APAR should be written invariably at the end if the year which must be done within:

What is APAR?

Important Ruling on APAR

Purpose of APAR

APAR Numerical Grading

Integrity Column in APAR

What is SPARROW?

SPARROW Features

SPARROW Abbreviations

Now it’s your turn.

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