The protest by job aspirants against the Uttar Pradesh Public Service Commission’s (UPPSC) decision of conducting two exams in different shifts and using a normalisation system for evaluation saw some forward movement after four days, on Thursday (November 14). The changes were announced for the Provincial Civil Services (PCS) and Review Officer-Assistant Review Officer (RO-ARO) preliminary exams. Protesters had been agitating outside the commission’s headquarters in Prayagraj since Monday. On Thursday, the UPPSC agreed to conduct the PCS exam in a single shift on a single day. For RO-ARO exam, a committee will be formed to examine the demand. The government has not said anything yet about the normalisation proces. What changes did the UPPSC announce? On November 5, the UPPSC issued a notification that if the number of aspirants for an exam exceeded five lakh, it would be conducted in multiple shifts. Thus, the RO/ARO examination, with over 10 lakh aspirants, would be held in three shifts on December 22 and 23. The PCS preliminary examination, with more than 6 lakh aspirants, would be conducted in two shifts on December 7 and 8. Also, the exams would only be held at government and government-aided schools in 41 districts. Previously, the examination was held on a single day, and private schools were also designated as examination centers. The UPPSC also said candidates would be evaluated using a computerised formula for normalisation, based on the relative performance in each shift. The body said the changes were made to ensure a fair examination process. In March this year, the state government cancelled the RO and ARO preliminary examination held in February due to allegations of a paper leak. Why are aspirants unhappy? The protesters are demanding a “single-day, single-shift schedule”, saying that when the same exam is held on different days, the question papers may vary, with one set being more difficult than another. They argue it could lead to corruption. They further allege that the normalisation process is a “strategy to exclude” deserving candidates. As soon as the UPPSC notification was issued, students began voicing their opposition. The issue gained traction on social media, and the aspirants decided to protest at the UPPSC office in Prayagraj. On Monday, over 10,000 students arrived in Prayagraj from different parts of the state. They chanted slogans and held banners, creating chaotic scenes near the commission office. “We will not withdraw the protest until the commission withdraws this decision,” said a protestor. He added that they oppose the percentile method because, according to the computerised formula developed by the commission, each candidate’s percentile score would be based on the relative performance of candidates within each shift. Another protester said they are suspicious because in the past, UPPSC officials have been arrested for corruption. In June 2019, then-Commission Examination Controller Anju Katiyar was arrested by the police investigating the paper leak in the LT Grade Assistant Teachers Examination of 2018. The protesters also want examination centres in all districts of UP, instead of the currently announced 41. What is the UPPSC saying? UPPSC officials have said that the changes have been made to ensure exam integrity and candidate convenience. An official said that when conducting exams in multiple shifts, “normalisation is essential to uphold the integrity and quality of the examination”. “We are making every effort to explain to aspirants that the percentile-based normalisation method is for their benefit and helps prevent paper leaks,” said the official. “In another step towards minimising malpractices, the commission has designated as exam centres only government or government-funded educational institutions located within a 10 km radius of a bus stand or railway station, and with no history of suspicion, controversy, or blacklisting,” the official added. The UPPSC has also maintained that the multiple-shift exam process is widely adopted by various prestigious recruitment bodies across the country and is backed by court rulings. The Radhakrishnan Committee, formed by the Supreme Court for the NEET exam, also recommended conducting the exam in two shifts. Similarly, the Police Recruitment Examination, held recently, was in two shifts. What are the conspiracy allegations being made? The UPPSC claims to have received a letter from candidates reporting that certain Telegram channels and YouTubers are attempting to delay the examination. According to the letter, these channels are spreading confusion about the normalisation process and misleading candidates. The commission has said it welcomes suggestions from candidates regarding the normalisation process. What happened on November 14? The commission held talks with a representation of aspirants and accepted the demand of conducting the PCS exam in 'one day-one shift'. For Review Officer and Assistant Review Officer exam, the commission has conveyed to the aspirants that a committee is being formed to decide about conducting these exams. The committee will submit its decision very soon, said a government spokesperson. The protesters, however, seem unwilling to relent. Deepak Gupta, one of the protesters, said, "We are not calling off the protest until decision for RO/ARO exams is conveyed to us in writing. The commission did not hold any talk with us and took the decision on its own." Another protester, Manish Mishra, alleged the aspirants sleeping on the road early this morning were assaulted by a group of people in plain clothes. He also claimed, "Policemen threw away the crutches of a physically challenged woman protester. We are not calling off the protest until the Commission conveys to us the final decision about the RO and ARO exams as well."
