For the past four days, there has been a lot of protest by candidates in Uttar Pradesh over the UPPSC (Uttar Pradesh Public Service Commission) exams. Students were gathering in large numbers and demanding that the exam should be held on a single day and not split into two days, as decided by the UPPSC this year. Following the growing pressure of the protests, the state government announced a change on Thursday and now the exam will be held on a single day.
The announcement came as a big relief to the students, as earlier the police had registered an FIR against 12 people accusing some protesters of vandalism. The main aim of the students was to conduct the exam on a single day, so that equality and fairness is maintained for all.
How did the controversy over the two-day exam plan start?
This year, the UPPSC had earlier decided to split the PCS (Provincial Civil Service) preliminary exam into two days, which was to be held on December 7 and 8. According to the UPPSC, the decision was taken to facilitate management of a large number of examinees. But for the students, this change was disturbing. They said that having the exam on two different days could create inequality among the examinees, and students of the second shift could possibly get easier questions.
The students took this seriously and started protesting at various places, with the city of Prayagraj witnessing the highest number of protests. The students insisted that the exam should be held on a single day so that everyone gets an equal opportunity.
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s intervention and government’s response
The situation changed when Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath took cognizance of the students’ demands. Seeing the students’ demand, he directed the UPPSC to hold discussions with the students regarding the exam. A statement issued from the Chief Minister’s Office said that Yogi Adityanath “took cognizance of the students’ demand in Prayagraj and directed the commission to hold the exam on a single day by communicating with the students.”
Following this direction from the Chief Minister, the UPPSC announced that the exam will be held on a single day, in a single shift. This decision brought a big relief to the students and they welcomed the decision.
Action on other exams too
Apart from the PCS exam, the state government has also taken steps regarding other exams. The Review Officer (RO) and Assistant Review Officer (ARO) exams, which were scheduled to be held on December 23 and 24 in three shifts, have also been postponed. According to a government spokesperson, a special committee has been formed, which will consider all aspects related to these exams and submit its report soon. Based on this report, new dates for these exams will be decided.
Strong support for the movement on social media
Social media played a vital role in supporting the protesters. Videos of the protests went viral on social media, bringing attention to the issue across the state and even the country. Students shared photos and videos of their demonstrations on platforms like Twitter and Instagram, and inspired others to join in. This online support further strengthened the voice of the students and made it difficult to ignore.
Mixed reactions from the public
Although most students and their families welcomed the government’s move, public opinion was still divided. Some believed that students should focus on their preparation instead of protesting, while others were supporting the students and demanding equality of examination for them.
Some of the students involved in the protest said, “It was not just a matter of two days; it was a matter of equality and fairness. We were not demanding any special advantage or disadvantage, we just wanted a level playing field.”
Next step for students
After the government’s decision to conduct the PCS preliminary exam in a single day, students are now focusing on their preparation. Many students thanked the government and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath for their decision.
Conclusion
This incident shows that when students come together and put forward their demands, their collective efforts can bring about a positive change. The decision of UPPSC to conduct the exam in a single day has been taken keeping in mind the demand of the students. As students continue to prepare for these exams, they now have the benefit of a balanced schedule and the confidence that their voices matter.
