Students in Hyderabad protested regarding the Group-I job exam after raising concerns about preparation time and pending legal issues. The protest occurred in Ashok Nagar in October 2023.
Following a recent protest by candidates preparing for the Group-I mains exam, uncertainty looms over aspiring job applicants in Telangana. On the evening of October 16, 2024, a group of students gathered in Ashok Nagar, Hyderabad, demanding a postponement of the Group-I exam due to inadequate preparation time and uncertainty surrounding G.O.29, a government order affecting the recruitment process.
“Why rush the exam? The government should wait until the legal matters are resolved. An unfavorable court ruling could jeopardize the entire hiring process,” questioned Shravan, a B. Tech student preparing for the exam, referencing a similar case with the Andhra Pradesh Public Service Commission (APPSC). In March 2024, the AP High Court ordered a new Group-I exam even after appointments had been made.
Another aspirant, Vineet, who has been preparing for the exam for five years, noted, “The uncertainty has drastically cut down my preparation time from ten hours a day to just three or four. Talk of postponement affects us all in this close-knit community. Information circulating online led many to believe the exam would be delayed.”
Ashok Nagar is a prominent hub for coaching centers and hostels, filled with students focused on the Group-I exam. The intense atmosphere means that any news, including recommendations on study materials, spreads rapidly among candidates.
“If the exam proceeds as scheduled, it would unfairly benefit candidates who’ve been consistently studying without interruptions, along with about 20% of students who have remained unaffected,” another job seeker pointed out.
Aspirants Demand Rescheduling
“We’re not simply asking for a delay; G.O.29 poses serious issues that could overturn prior rankings. With over 14 cases pending in the High Court, candidates are not prepared to re-take the mains exam. We already completed the prelims three times,” stated one protestor.
“There are 22 pending cases concerning the Group-I exam in the Telangana High Court, yet the Telangana Public Service Commission persists with its exam plans. The government remains silent on G.O.29, which could create chaos similar to that seen in Madhya Pradesh, where courts mandated re-examinations. We urge the reinstatement of G.O.55 to resolve these issues permanently,” asserted a local leader outlining the concerns.
Understanding GO 55 vs. GO 29
G.O.55, enacted in April 2022, included a stipulation: “The number of candidates admitted to the main exam would be fifty times the total vacancies available, adhering to the established rules of reservation.”
In contrast, G.O.29 issued in February 2024 states: “The number of candidates for the main examination would be fifty times the vacancies. However, if there are shortfalls in reserved categories, additional candidates may be included beyond the 1:50 ratio from the merit list.”
This modification has raised significant concerns among candidates, particularly regarding its potential impact on opportunities for those in reserved categories.
With the main exam approaching, the future remains uncertain as speculation continues about whether the government will consider the requests to postpone or if the exam will be held as planned.
Published – October 17, 2024 05:14 pm IST
