Police lathi-charge on protesting UPPSC aspirants in Prayagraj

Thousands of students gathered in Prayagraj on Monday to protest against the Uttar Pradesh Public Service Commission’s (UPPSC) decision to hold PCS Pre and RO/ARO exams across multiple shifts. Students argue that conducting exams on different dates and shifts could lead to variations in exam difficulty, impacting fairness and scores. They are demanding that all exams be conducted in a single shift to ensure uniformity.

When authorities blocked the students from protesting outside the UPPSC office, the demonstrators took to the nearby intersection, where tensions soon escalated. Clashes erupted between protesters and the police, with law enforcement resorting to lathi-charges to disperse the crowd. Many candidates have criticized this action, accusing authorities of ignoring their grievances and undermining their right to protest.

The Samajwadi Party (SP) president and former Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav expressed solidarity with the candidates. In a statement, he criticized the UP government, claiming the examination format was a form of "cheating" and asserting that BJP-led authorities have repeatedly failed to recruit candidates fairly. Yadav’s backing has intensified the political spotlight on the UPPSC’s decision, with the SP stating it supports the students’ “legitimate demand” for fair exams.

The SP has also released a statement alleging that the UPPSC’s multi-shift system is a strategy to disadvantage students. With thousands participating, the protest reflects the widespread frustration among exam aspirants. The incident highlights mounting pressures on the UPPSC to reconsider its examination methods.