AISA and RYA congratulated the youth-led protest against the Uttar Pradesh Public Service Commission (UPPSC)’s decision to conduct the PCS, RO and ARO exams in multiple shifts with normalisation of scores. The four-day-long protest by thousands of competitive exam aspirants, who braved police repression while staging a sit-in outside the Uttar Pradesh Public Service Commission (UPPSC) office, has led to their primary demands being accepted.
The UPPSC’s recent history has been marred by allegations of corruption, irregularities, and paper leaks, leading to the postponement of PCS exams in the past. In light of these issues, candidates have been demanding a single-shift examination to ensure fairness and transparency. Thousands of students gathered at the UPPSC gate in Prayagraj to oppose the decision, calling for its reversal and the adoption of a single-shift exam system.
RYA State Secretary Sunil Maurya condemned the Yogi Adityanath government for its anti-youth policies. "The government has left millions of posts vacant, and the few recruitment exams that are conducted are riddled with corruption, irregularities, and leaks. The youth of Uttar Pradesh are angry with the state’s unemployment crisis and lack of permanent jobs," he added.
The CPI(ML), in a statement congratulated the youth movement and demanded for the immediate and unconditional release of arrested students-youth, withdrawal of cases, punishment for police officers responsible for baton charges and harassment of female protesters, and an end to all forms of repression against the students.
Key victories include the acceptance of the demand to conduct the PCS Preliminary Examination in a single shift on a single day, with the unjust normalisation process being scrapped. Additionally, a committee has been formed to deliberate on the RO-ARO examination concerns.
The protest reflected the growing discontent among unemployed youth in Uttar Pradesh against the BJP led government anti-student and anti-youth policies.
