Aspirants preparing for the Uttar Pradesh Public Service Commission (UPPSC) PCS Prelims 2024 and Review Officer/Assistant Review Officer (RO/ARO) exams have raised strong objections over recent changes in the exam format. Thousands participated in protests on November 11, demanding a uniform, single-day examination without the normalisation process. The protest saw demonstrators break through barriers and enter the commission office premises, prompting police intervention to disperse the crowd.
Background on Protests
The UPPSC announced new dates for its preliminary exams, sparking discontent among candidates. The revised schedule includes conducting exams over multiple days with different shifts, along with applying a normalisation formula for score evaluation. This led to candidate demands for a “One Day, One Shift, No Normalisation” policy, claiming that a uniform test process ensures fairness and consistency.
Earlier, on October 21, similar protests were staged outside the UPPSC headquarters. The upcoming PCS preliminary exam is set to take place on December 7 and 8 across 41 districts, with sessions from 9:30 am to 11:30 am and 2:30 pm. The RO/ARO exam will be held on December 22 and 23, with morning and afternoon sessions. Candidates are opposed to this multi-day format, calling for exams to be completed within a single day and shift.
Registration and Logistics Issues
For the PCS Prelims 2024, a significant 5,76,154 candidates registered. However, UPPSC faced logistical challenges, securing only 978 examination centers out of the needed 1,758 across 75 districts. This capacity constraint limits the exam to 4,35,074 candidates. Similarly, 10,76,000 candidates registered for the RO/ARO exam, yet sufficient centers could not be established within the government-mandated 20 km radius of the Collectorate/Treasury. Private colleges were excluded from being exam centers, further reducing available venues.
Due to these logistical constraints, UPPSC opted for a multi-day examination approach, using normalisation to balance scores between different shifts.
Normalisation Formula Concerns
The normalisation formula adopted by UPPSC calculates a candidate’s percentage score by dividing the number of candidates scoring equal to or less than a given mark by the total number of candidates in the shift, then multiplying by 100. The commission noted that this could lead to percentage scores with up to six decimal points.
Candidates argue that the normalisation process complicates the evaluation, potentially impacting scores and fairness. They demand straightforward scoring without the complexities of normalisation.
Government Response and Next Steps
The government has directed that examination centers be set up within 20 km from official district buildings, excluding private colleges to maintain examination standards. This has contributed to the challenge of arranging enough examination venues.
Despite UPPSC’s assurance on the fairness of its normalisation process, aspirants continue to protest, calling for uniform examination practices. As the exam dates approach, the situation remains tense, with candidates hopeful for reconsideration by the authorities.
