The Uttar Pradesh Public Service Commission (UPPSC) has partially agreed to the demands of students protesting in Prayagraj for four days against its decision to conduct the review officer or assistant review officer (RO/ARO) and UP provincial civil service (PCS) preliminary exams in two shifts. On Thursday, the commission released a notification confirming a one-shift, one-day PCS exam and postponed the exam scheduled for 7 and 8 December this year, without providing a fresh date.
Moreover, the commission announced its decision to form a committee to submit a report about the issues with the RO/ARO exam. After that, it will release the notification for the exam. Over 11 lakh candidates will appear for the RO/ARO exam. The commission, earlier, contended that it does not have enough facilities to conduct the exam in one go.
Released in November last year, the RO/ARO exam notification set 29 January this year as the date for the exam, which was later postponed to 2 February. Students took the exam on 2 February, but it was cancelled after a paper leak. The RO/ARO exam was then scheduled for 22 and 23 December. However, students are currently demanding at least 60 days to prepare.
While students are happy with the postponement of the PCS exam, they demand clarity on the dates for the PCS and RO/ARO exams, and the number of shifts for both.
“The movement will end if the commission clears all the issues, or our fight will continue. Friends, we have won half the battle. Keep up the courage and enthusiasm. The time is not far when all our demands are met. The commission will deliver a clear decision. It will happen,” said an aspirant protesting in Prayagraj.
