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In a major development for aspiring civil servants in Uttar Pradesh, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has intervened to ensure the upcoming PCS (preliminary) examination will be conducted on a single day, addressing a key demand from thousands of protesting candidates. The decision, announced by the Uttar Pradesh Public Service Commission (UPPSC) on Thursday, brings an end to the controversy surrounding the two-day schedule for the exam, initially slated for December 7 and 8, 2024.
The move comes after a three-day demonstration by aspiring candidates outside the UPPSC headquarters in Prayagraj, who vehemently protested against the two-day format and the 'normalization' method of evaluation. Recognizing the seriousness of the students' concerns, CM Adityanath issued a directive to the commission to address their demands, leading to the UPPSC issuing a formal notice confirming the change in exam structure. The fresh date for the single-day PCS (prelims) will be announced soon.
The decision to conduct the exam on a single day also eliminates the need for the 'normalization' formula, a method typically employed when exams are held over multiple days with different question papers. This formula aims to adjust for potential variations in difficulty across different question papers, ensuring a level playing field for all candidates. However, the adoption of the 'normalization' method had sparked discontent among aspiring candidates, leading to their protest.
The UPPSC's initial decision to hold the PCS prelims on two days stemmed from logistical challenges, as the number of candidates (over 5.7 lakh) exceeded the available exam centres. The June 2023 government order, which outlined the criteria for selecting exam centres, resulted in a shortage of suitable institutions. This shortfall prompted the decision to conduct the exams in two sessions over two days, with the 'normalization' formula being introduced to address the potential disparity in question paper difficulty.
The UPPSC Secretary, Ashok Kumar, clarified that the decision to revert to a single-day exam was made in light of recent paper leaks in competitive examinations across various parts of India. Emphasizing the need to safeguard the integrity and transparency of the exams, the government has relaxed the provisions in the June 2023 order for selecting exam centres, allowing for greater flexibility in choosing venues. The commission is now required to ensure that the chosen exam centres are situated on main roads.
The shift to a single-day exam format reflects the state government's commitment to addressing the concerns of aspiring candidates and ensuring a fair and transparent examination process. This move also highlights the importance of addressing logistical challenges in conducting large-scale exams, while simultaneously ensuring that the sanctity of these examinations is maintained.
Source: Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath Orders PCS Prelims Exam to be Held on Single Day