“One Day One Shift”: The Story Behind the UPPCS and RO/ARO Exam Controversy

The notification for the UPPCS and RO/ARO exams triggered an outpouring of frustration among aspirants, who immediately took to the streets. The controversy stems from the change in exam scheduling, moving from a one-day to a two-day exam, sparking concerns over normalization procedures. Now, on November 11, students are preparing a large-scale protest outside the Uttar Pradesh Public Service Commission (UPPSC) office.

Background of the Controversy

On January 1, 2024, UPPSC released a notification for the PCS (Provincial Civil Services) Preliminary Exam for the recruitment of 220 positions—the lowest in a decade. Originally, the exam was set for March 17, but it was postponed. Another notification followed on June 3, rescheduling the exam for October 27. However, this date, too, was delayed. Then, on November 5, UPPSC issued yet another notification, and this time students took immediate action, opposing the shift from a single-day exam to a two-day exam and the normalization that comes with it.

The Root of Student Dissatisfaction

Aspirants have been awaiting the PCS exam for the past 10 months, a delay attributed to administrative issues. The situation took a more serious turn with a separate exam—the RO/ARO (Review Officer/Assistant Review Officer) prelims, held on February 11, 2024. By evening, social media erupted with claims that the exam paper had leaked. Many students demanded a re-exam, prompting UPPSC to involve the Special Task Force (STF) for investigation. The state government subsequently decided to cancel the exam.

On March 2, 2024, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath announced that a new exam would be conducted within six months. His statement on social media read:

“Orders have been issued to cancel the Review Officer/Assistant Review Officer (Preliminary) Exam, 2023, conducted by the Uttar Pradesh Public Service Commission on February 11, 2024, and to reschedule it within the next six months. Those responsible for compromising the integrity of the examination will not be spared, and an example will be set with strict punishment.”

However, the six-month timeline has come and gone without a new date, leaving students frustrated and eager for change.

The Upcoming “Maha Andolan” Protest

With the two-day PCS exam structure now confirmed, students’ concerns about normalization are intensifying. Normalization, a process to adjust scores based on the difficulty of different exam sessions, is seen by many as unfair and inaccurate. In response, students have organized a large protest—the “Maha Andolan”—scheduled for November 11 at the UPPSC office to demand a return to a one-day exam format and transparency in the selection process.

UPPCS and RO/ARO Exam Delays: Exam Schedule, Paper Leak, and Normalization Controversy Stir Protests

The controversy surrounding the UPPCS and RO/ARO exams has intensified as delays, a paper leak, and scheduling decisions continue to frustrate students across Uttar Pradesh. With exam dates repeatedly postponed, a shift from single-day to multi-day exams, and normalization methods being introduced, aspirants are now gearing up for protests, questioning the transparency of the process.

Timeline of Events and Delays

On March 7, UPPSC postponed the PCS Prelims exam scheduled for March 17, citing “unavoidable reasons,” with a tentative reschedule in July, though no specific date was provided. The delay was another setback for students who had been awaiting the exam for 10 months, following an initial notification on January 1, 2024, announcing 220 vacancies.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath had earlier ordered a re-exam for the RO/ARO Prelims due to a paper leak on February 11. The leak triggered a strong response, with social media allegations circulating almost immediately. The UP government ordered an investigation by the Special Task Force (STF), which has since made several arrests, but no conclusions about the leak have yet emerged.

UPPSC later issued a fresh notification on June 3, scheduling the PCS Prelims for October 27. However, a notice on October 16 again postponed the exam, this time due to “delays in establishing exam centers.” The exam was then tentatively moved to December, with the UPPSC citing a new government order from June 19 affecting the availability of exam centers.

New Criteria for Exam Centers

The June 19 directive by the Uttar Pradesh government introduced strict guidelines for selecting exam centers. Centers were categorized into two groups: Category ‘A’ for government institutions like state-run colleges and universities, and Category ‘B’ for aided institutions with good reputations. Private institutions were excluded, and centers were required to be within 10 km of major transport hubs. The directive also capped the maximum number of candidates per session at 500,000.

Reports indicate that UPPSC needed 1,758 centers to conduct the PCS Prelims for 576,154 candidates, but only 978 centers met the new criteria. Similarly, the RO/ARO Prelims required accommodations for 1,076,000 candidates.

Introduction of Normalization and Student Concerns

On November 5, UPPSC announced that the PCS Prelims would now be held over two days—December 7 and 8—with two shifts each day. RO/ARO Prelims were also scheduled for December 22 and 23, covering 411 posts. The Commission clarified that the split over multiple days was necessary due to the shortage of qualified exam centers.

With this change, normalization, or percentile-based scoring, was introduced to adjust for potential variations in exam difficulty across shifts. According to UPPSC, the percentile scores would be calculated to six decimal places for accuracy. However, students remain skeptical, arguing that normalization lacks transparency and may unfairly impact scores. Many fear that even high-scoring candidates may see their percentiles reduced if competing against peers in less challenging shifts.

Gaurav Awasthi, an aspirant from Kanpur, points out, “The normalization method isn’t entirely transparent. If the exam includes questions of varying difficulty across shifts, then it could be unfair. For example, if one paper asks a simple question, while another asks a more obscure one, the students may be affected unfairly.”

Another aspirant, Saurabh Dubey, also voiced concerns, saying, “Normalization can’t accurately account for differences between easier and harder papers. UPPSC’s formula is confusing, and students are struggling to understand it. We are unwilling to proceed with this.”

Supreme Court’s Ruling Amidst Student Protests

As protests continue, the Supreme Court weighed in on a separate matter that students believe supports their cause. On November 7, the Court ruled that recruitment policies cannot be changed midway through an ongoing process. The five-judge constitutional bench, led by Chief Justice D.Y. Chandrachud, emphasized fairness in the recruitment process and cautioned against altering rules once they are set.

UPPSC’s Response

The UPPSC, defending its new methodology, stated that the normalization process aligns with practices used by other national recruitment bodies. They emphasized that the formula for percentile calculation was designed with input from experts, ensuring accuracy and transparency. However, the UPPSC did not respond to further requests for comments before publication.

With the normalization debate, multi-day exam schedules, and delays, UPPSC faces significant backlash from aspirants who feel that these changes compromise transparency. As December’s exam dates approach, students are likely to continue protests, calling for a return to single-day exams without normalization. The upcoming protests, bolstered by the Supreme Court ruling, indicate that students are determined to hold UPPSC accountable and demand clarity in the exam process.