Students continue protest for second day outside UPPSC office in Prayagraj, demand roll back of normalisation formula

NEW DELHI: Candidates demanding single-shift exams for upcoming Uttar Pradesh Public Service Commission (UPPSC) continued their protest outside the commission's office in Prayagraj for a second day.

The candidates, who began their protest on Monday, spent the night outside the commission's office after talks with authorities failed. They are demanding the upcoming PCS and RO/ARO exams be conducted in a single shift, claiming it creates a fairer and more manageable process. The protest is expected to grow larger Tuesday as more students join the demonstration.

Protesters are sitting in and around Gate No. 2 of the commission, demanding a one-day exam and rollback of the normalisation formula implemented to evaluate the answer sheets.

According to sources, after unsuccessful talks with authorities the previous night, the students remain determined to press their demands. They are calling in more peers, expecting a larger crowd today. With biscuits and other supplies in hand, they have vowed to continue their peaceful protest until their concerns are addressed.

The UPPSC on Nov 5 had announced that the PCS (prelims) examination-2024 would be held in 41 districts on Dec 7 and 8 in two shifts from 9:30am to 11:30am and from 2.30pm to 4.30pm.

Additionally, the exam for Review Officer/Assistant Review Officer (prelims) Examination-2023 will be conduc ted on Dec 22 and Dec 23.

This exam will be conducted in the first shift from 9.00am to 12.00pm and in the second shift from 2.30pm to 5.30pm, and on Dec 23, from 9.00am to 12.00pm in various districts of the state.

Meanwhile, Samajwadi Party (SP) leader Akhilesh Yadav lashed out at the state government for the ongoing protest.

He referred to the agitation as "Yogi vs competitor students" and questioned if the government would now target student accommodations with bulldozers. Yadav posted on X (formerly Twitter), "The rise of the students will be the fall of the BJP," and added, "Unhone chalaya lathi-danda 'Naukri' nahi jinka agenda."

Yadav further slammed the BJP, claiming that the government's focus on communal politics had diverted attention from the pressing issues like jobs. He stated, "The people of BJP do politics to keep the people engaged in the struggle for livelihood so that BJP people can continue to indulge in corruption under the guise of communal politics." He also pointed out that job vacancies remained unfilled and exams had been delayed for years, making the youth frustrated and angry.

Yadav underlined that BJP's actions were pushing students away from their studies and onto the streets in protest. He added, "BJP has taken the students away from their study desks and made them stand on the streets. These angry candidates and their disappointed families are now becoming the biggest challenge for the BJP."