UPPSC aspirants hold massive protest in Prayagraj over exam schedule

Thousands of aspirants gathered in Prayagraj at the Muir Hall crossing, holding banners and shouting slogans. The protest was a call to the Uttar Pradesh Public Service Commission to conduct PCS Prelims and RO/ARO exams in a single shift. Students also voiced concerns over the controversial normalisation process for evaluating answer sheets.

A large crowd of students was seen outside the UPPSC office, demanding a change in the exam schedule. The aspirants protested the decision to hold exams over multiple days and shifts, claiming it could lead to unfair normalisation, affecting their results.

To control the escalating situation, authorities deployed heavy police forces, including Rapid Action Force (RAF) units. Barricades were set up around the UPPSC office, turning the area into a high-security zone as tensions continued to rise.

Protesters trying to reach the Commission’s office were met with resistance as police officers confronted them behind barricades. This clash highlighted the growing unrest among the aspirants demanding a unified exam schedule.

Protesters held banners criticising the normalisation policy, which they argued could disadvantage students due to varying levels of difficulty across different shifts. Aspirants chanted slogans calling for exams to be conducted in a single shift to ensure fairness.

One of the banners seen during the protest read, “No normalisation,” reflecting the aspirants’ key demand. The protestors expressed their frustration over the multi-shift schedule announced by the UPPSC.

Another banner was displayed with messages against the multi-day exam schedule. Students argued that multiple shifts could lead to disparities in the difficulty level, thereby affecting their chances of selection.

As the situation grew tense, police were seen using force to control the agitated crowd. The crackdown led to scuffles, with students trying to push past the barricades set up by the authorities.

The peaceful protest quickly turned chaotic after clashes between security officials and students. The police resorted to lathi charges to disperse the crowd, leading to injuries among some of the aspirants.

Amid the chaos, a student was seen lying on the ground in pain after being caught in the police crackdown. The violent turn of events has sparked outrage, with calls for justice for the injured students.

The aftermath of the protest saw barricades scattered on the ground, symbolising the intense confrontation between the aspirants and the police. Despite the crackdown, students remain determined to continue their protest until their demands are met.

The demonstration in Prayagraj saw aspirants from across Uttar Pradesh, including Delhi and Bihar, standing firm in their demands. With political backing from figures like Akhilesh Yadav, the protest has gained significant traction, urging the UPPSC to reconsider its stance on the exam schedule.