After five days of protests, students have called off their agitation following the Uttar Pradesh Public Service Commission’s (UPPSC) announcement to reschedule the Provincial Civil Services (PCS) Preliminary Examination for 2024. The decision, made on Thursday, addressed the primary demand of holding the examination on a single day, marking a significant milestone in the resolution of the dispute.
Rescheduling the PCS examination
The UPPSC confirmed that the PCS Preliminary Exam-2024 will now take place on 22 December in two shifts: the first session from 9:30 AM to 11:30 AM, and the second from 2:30 PM to 4:30 PM. This is a shift from the previously scheduled dates of 7 and 8 December. UPPSC Secretary Ashok Kumar announced that the exam will follow the old pattern, a decision welcomed by many aspirants.
Addressing student concerns
The protests began on 11 November, with students demanding that the PCS Preliminary Examination, as well as the Review Officer (RO) and Assistant Review Officer (ARO) exams, be held on a single day to ensure fairness. In response, UPPSC postponed the RO and ARO exams, which were initially slated for 22 and 23 December, and formed a committee to review the process.
Kumar assured students that the committee will ensure transparency and fairness in future exams, with its findings expected soon. “We have postponed the RO-ARO exam despite being prepared. Students should have patience until the committee submits its report,” he added.
Protest leaders declare victory
Student leader Pankaj Pandey formally announced the end of the protest on Friday. Speaking to reporters, he stated, “The government has fulfilled one demand and achieved 90% progress on the second. We have vacated the protest site and instructed students to return home and focus on their studies.”
However, despite the official end of the agitation, a small group of individuals remained outside the UPPSC office in Prayagraj. Local police, led by ACP (Civil Lines) Shyamjeet Singh, are investigating their motives.
Mixed reactions among aspirants
While the revised schedule brought relief to PCS aspirants, those preparing for the RO and ARO exams expressed disappointment. Many urged the government to finalise a new date for these examinations soon.
Ganesh Dwivedi, a PCS aspirant, expressed satisfaction with the government’s decision, calling it “timely and fair.” Meanwhile, Mayank Jain, another student, remained hopeful that a resolution for the RO-ARO exams would follow. “The students sitting on dharna are waiting for a final decision. If it doesn’t happen now, it might lead to further delays,” he noted.
Deepak Singh echoed similar sentiments, stating, “The single-day PCS exam schedule has reassured students, enabling them to focus on preparation without distractions.”
Decrease in protest numbers
The announcement had a noticeable impact on the protest’s scale. By Friday, the number of demonstrators outside the UPPSC office in Prayagraj had dwindled from over 10,000 to just a few hundred, allowing the reopening of previously blocked roads in the area.
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Shiv Kumar Maurya, another student, described the development as a positive step. “The decision has significantly reduced tensions among PCS aspirants. Now, we await similar action on the RO-ARO exams,” he remarked.
Faith in the government
Several students expressed trust in the state government, led by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, to address their remaining concerns. “We believe the Chief Minister will ensure a fair resolution for the RO-ARO exams as well, so students can prepare with peace of mind,” said Devendra Prajapati, a hopeful candidate.
Looking ahead
With the PCS Preliminary Exam date finalised, students now have clarity on their immediate academic goals. The government’s willingness to accommodate demands has been seen as a step towards fostering trust between the Commission and aspirants. However, the lingering uncertainty surrounding the RO and ARO exams underscores the need for swift action to maintain the momentum of goodwill generated by the PCS announcement.
As the dust settles, attention shifts to the committee’s upcoming report and its potential impact on future examination protocols, ensuring transparency and fairness for all candidates.
