Andhra Pradesh is witnessing significant unrest among candidates preparing for the Group-II Mains examination, scheduled for February 23, 2025, due to allegations of irregularities in the roster system used for the recruitment process. Over 92,000 aspirants are set to participate, but many are expressing deep anxiety over unresolved issues relating to the roster points assigned to certain categories of applicants.
The controversy gained momentum when Y.S. Sharmila, President of the Andhra Pradesh Congress, publicly criticized the state government for its handling of the situation. She urged the government, led by Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu, to engage with the protesting candidates and address their concerns. "Why is the Andhra Pradesh Public Service Commission (APPSC) acting stubbornly? Why is the coalition government ignoring the protests of candidates across the state?" Sharmila questioned, highlighting the urgency of rectifying the errors.
According to candidates, including advocacy groups such as the Andhra Pradesh Unemployed Joint Action Committee (JAC), errors were identified in the notification issued on December 11, 2023. These errors are related to the Horizontal Reservation or roster system, which some candidates fear may lead to the cancellation of the notification altogether. "Many aspirants are worried... this could impact the fairness of the selection process and would affect their job prospects," stated S. Hemanth Kumar, president of the JAC.
Protests have erupted across multiple districts, with candidates demanding justice and amendments to the roster system before the Mains examination takes place. Their fears stem from previous incidents where flawed recruitment notifications led to significant job losses, as seen recently in Jharkhand. Sharmila pointed out these historical precedents as reasons for the urgency to act, stating, "There are legal hurdles... if these mistakes were not rectified, it could lead to severe consequences for the candidates."
The High Court of Andhra Pradesh weighed in on the matter, announcing its refusal to stay the exam. The court emphasized the importance of not postponing the examination, as it would severely hinder the chances of thousands of qualified candidates. "If the exam doesn't go as scheduled, it will put a dent in the chances of thousands of eligible people," the court declared, reinforcing the necessity of continuing with the exam date.
Despite this ruling, there is considerable tension among candidates, who are resolute about the need for the government to address the flaws within the roster system. Their concerns are not just about today’s exam, but about the long-term ramifications for fairness and transparency within the state’s recruitment processes. For many, the Group-II notifications represent not just exams, but potential careers and livelihoods threatened by administrative missteps.
Candidates have also voiced specific concerns related to the government's compliance with existing guidelines, particularly G.O. No. 77, which stipulates guidelines for reservations. They argue the current notification violates these guidelines by allocating roster points for women, which they claim contravenes the established rules set during the YSR Congress Party's tenure.
Meanwhile, as the date approaches, these candidates remain on high alert, with many vowing to intensify their protests should their voices continue to go unheeded. The APPSC has emphasized the importance of candidates arriving at testing centers on time and has warned against spreading false information about the exam schedule.
The growing unrest raises significant questions about administrative transparency and the overall integrity of public service examinations in Andhra Pradesh. With the stakes so high, the impacted candidates are left balancing their hopes for future jobs with the dread of potential legal challenges brewing on the horizon. This tumultuous situation continues to evolve as more candidates join the protests and demand accountability from their leaders and the commission.
With time running out, the APPSC faces pressures not just from the candidates but from legal frameworks and societal expectations to conduct fair and equitable examinations.