The protests by Group I aspirants in Hyderabad have gained momentum as the scheduled exam dates from October 21 to 27 approach. Late-night demonstrations in Ashok Nagar, a hub for exam preparation, culminated in several candidates being detained by the police. These aspirants are calling for the postponement of the Group I mains exams due to what they perceive as unfair changes introduced by Government Order (GO) 29, issued by the Telangana State Public Service Commission (TGPSC). The protesters argue that this order disproportionately impacts candidates from reserved categories such as Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), and Backward Classes (BC), threatening their chances of success in the highly competitive exams.
The crux of their objection lies in the alterations to the selection ratio and the method for shortlisting candidates. Under GO 55, which was in place until April 2022, 50 times the number of vacancies were admitted for the written (Main) exam, with strict adherence to reservation rules across various categories, including community, gender, Economically Weaker Sections (EWS), persons with disabilities (PH), and sports. However, GO 29, introduced in February 2024, retained the 1:50 selection ratio but added a clause allowing additional candidates from the merit list to be selected if there were not enough candidates from reserved categories. This adjustment, according to the aspirants, could significantly reduce the number of reserved category candidates selected for the mains exam, favoring those from non-reserved categories instead.
The aspirants are also concerned about discrepancies in the hall ticket numbers issued for the preliminary and mains exams, fearing that these irregularities might compromise the fairness of the examination process. Moreover, they are demanding clarity on whether a re-examination of the Group 1 mains will be conducted if mandated by the court and how it would impact candidates, especially those newly eligible under the provisions of GO 29. These concerns have fueled the protesters' demand for a postponement, hoping to gain more time for discussions and possible revisions to the new selection process.
Despite these growing concerns, Telangana's Chief Secretary, Santhi Kumari, reiterated the government's decision to proceed with the exams as planned. She confirmed that all necessary arrangements have been made, with 31,383 candidates expected to appear at 46 examination centers across Hyderabad, Ranga Reddy, and Medchal-Malkajgiri districts. She further assured the public that strict security measures are in place to ensure the smooth conduct of the exams, with district collectors and police commissioners overseeing the process.
In response to the protests, the aspirants have sought to highlight the broader implications of GO 29, suggesting that it undermines the principles of social justice and equitable access to government services. Many candidates from reserved categories feel that the revised selection process diminishes their opportunities, making it more difficult to secure positions in the public sector. This has led to calls for the government to reconsider the implementation of GO 29 and initiate a dialogue with the aspirants to address their concerns.
The aspirants’ peaceful protests have garnered attention on social media, with support pouring in from various student groups and activists who have expressed solidarity with the demand for a fair examination process. Several political leaders have also weighed in on the issue, urging the state government to engage with the aspirants and address their grievances before the situation escalates further.
Meanwhile, TGPSC officials have defended the introduction of GO 29, arguing that the changes were made to ensure greater flexibility in filling vacancies and to prevent situations where positions remain unfilled due to a lack of eligible candidates from reserved categories. However, they acknowledged that more discussions might be needed to ensure that the new process does not adversely affect any particular group of candidates.
As the exam dates draw nearer, tensions continue to rise, with aspirants and their supporters pressing for a postponement and fairer selection methods. Whether the state government will take steps to address these concerns or proceed as planned remains to be seen. The outcome of this standoff could have significant implications not only for the upcoming Group I exams but also for the future of recruitment processes in Telangana.
Â
