After Students' Protest in Prayagraj, UP Govt Agrees to Conduct UPPSC in Single Shift

New Delhi: After protests by aspirants in Prayagraj, the Uttar Pradesh Public Service Commission (UPPSC) has agreed to conduct the upcoming PCS (Provincial Civil Services) and RO/ARO (Review Officer/Assistant Review Officer) examinations in a single shift. 

The UPPSC had initially scheduled the exams in multiple shifts, but in response to the growing protests, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath directed the Commission to reconsider the exam format. 

Additionally, a committee has been formed by the UPPSC to review the RO/ARO (Preliminary) Examination 2023. The committee, tasked with considering all aspects related to the exam format, is expected to submit a detailed report soon. 

“It is hereby informed that in view of the number of 10,76,004 candidates in respect of Review Officer / Assistant Review Officer etc. (Pre.) Examination-2023, a committee has been constituted by the Commission to conduct integrated research and analysis of all the facts with the aim of conducting the selection process in a transparent, qualitative and fair manner, which will submit its detailed report at the earliest after considering all the aspects,” said UPPSC's official statement. 

Earlier, the district magistrate and the police commissioner held a meeting late on Monday to discuss the ongoing student protests and their demands, but so far, it remained inconclusive, PTI reported quoting sources.

Speaking to PTI, UPPSC Secretary Ashok Kumar said, "As per the commission's guidelines, only government institutions within a 10-km radius of the district headquarters are used as examination centres. Previously, the same students were against using private institutions as exam centres due to concerns over security and paper leaks."

Underlining the logistical challenges, Kumar said, "A total of 576,000 candidates have registered for the PCS exam, while centres are available for only 435,000 students across all the 75 districts. Under these circumstances, holding the exams over two days is unavoidable."