Prayagraj, November 11, 2024: Thousands of candidates gathered outside the Uttar Pradesh Public Service Commission (UPPSC) headquarters in Prayagraj on Monday to protest recent changes in the examination schedule for the Review Officer (RO) and Assistant Review Officer (ARO) exams, as well as the Provincial Civil Services (PCS) preliminary exam. The aspirants voiced concerns over UPPSC’s decision to conduct the exams on different dates and across multiple shifts, a move they believe could compromise transparency and fairness in the assessment process.

A Call for a Uniform Examination Format

The protesters are demanding that UPPSC hold these exams in a single shift on the same day to ensure equal footing for all candidates. According to aspirants, the multi-shift format may lead to inconsistencies in question difficulty across shifts, potentially affecting the overall results and reducing the chances of a fair comparison. Many candidates argued that a unified exam schedule would create a level playing field, helping ensure that all test-takers face the same conditions and questions.

Candidates voiced their frustrations over the decision, saying it would increase logistical burdens and travel costs, especially for those from remote areas. “Scheduling different shifts for the same exam creates inequalities. We only want a fair chance to compete without worrying about variance in exam content and difficulty,” said one aspirant who had traveled from another district to join the protest.

Tensions Escalate at UPPSC Headquarters

As the number of protesters swelled, they were initially met with a police barricade and prevented from staging their planned sit-in at Gates No. 2 and 3 of the UPPSC headquarters. When the demonstrators attempted to breach the barricades, clashes broke out, leading the police to deploy a lathi charge to disperse the gathering. The confrontation escalated as protestors moved to a nearby intersection to continue their demonstration, chanting slogans and calling for UPPSC to reconsider its exam schedule.

Eyewitnesses reported a chaotic scene as police and protestors faced off. Some protestors claimed they had been met with unnecessary force, while police officials said the measures were necessary to control the large crowd and prevent disruptions in the vicinity of the commission’s headquarters. The protest created significant traffic congestion, and authorities urged residents to avoid the area until the protest subsided.

UPPSC’s Response and Assurances

In response to the protests, UPPSC released a statement acknowledging the concerns of the candidates but defended the multi-shift format as necessary to manage the increasing number of aspirants. Officials cited logistical challenges, noting that a unified exam would require an unprecedented number of centers and resources. The commission added that it has implemented strict measures to ensure that question paper quality and difficulty level remain consistent across all shifts, including randomization of question sets and careful selection of examination centers.

The UPPSC assured candidates that it values fairness in the examination process and pledged to continue monitoring the feedback from aspirants. However, officials did not indicate any plans to immediately reverse the decision, prompting candidates to warn of continued protests if their demands are not addressed.

Growing Tensions Among Aspirants in Competitive Exams

The protest is the latest in a series of actions by candidates challenging exam formats and schedules, underscoring growing anxiety among aspirants in Uttar Pradesh and across India. As competition for government positions intensifies, candidates increasingly focus on perceived disparities in exam procedures that they believe could affect outcomes. With aspirants now facing the possibility of further protests and disruptions, UPPSC’s handling of this situation may set a precedent for other examination bodies across the country.

For now, aspirants remain hopeful that UPPSC will reconsider its exam schedule, and many have pledged to continue their peaceful demonstrations until their concerns are addressed.