UPPSC Mains exam commences, held in two shifts

Prayagraj (Uttar Pradesh) [India], June 29 (ANI): The Uttar Pradesh Public Service Commission (UPPSC) PCS Mains Examination began on Sunday, in different phases for thousands of aspirants aiming for Civil Services in the state.
The examination was conducted in two shifts. The first shift started at 9:00 am and continued till 12:00 pm, while the second shift began at 2:30 pm and ended at 5:30 pm.
In November last year, UPPSC aspirants supported the decision of the state government to conduct the examination in a single day. The aspirants called off their protest over the UPPSC prelims after the government's decision.
Pankaj Pandey, an aspirant, told ANI, "We had submitted four memoranda earlier, but no decision was made. Following this, we called a major agitation on 11th November. The agitation has continued since then. Students were creating. Finally, the government took cognisance of this and we thank them for this. The government made a decision in our favour. We had two demands, for PCS and for RO/ARO. 100 per cent of demands regarding PCS have been accepted. But there was a little confusion regarding RO/ARO. They then formed a committee for it. When the decision of the committee comes, we will decide our further course of action. As of now, we have called off our protest."
Another aspirant, Narendra Tiwari, said that he is "satisfied" with the government's decision."We are satisfied with the decision of the Commission, Administration and Government. One remaining demand, regarding one shift exam for RO/ARO is yet to be received by us. A committee has been formed for it. We hope that the committee will decide in our favour... The students in my area believe that we need not protest there anymore. The protest has been completely called off," he added.
Rajkumar Verma, a third aspirant, highlighted that the District Magistrate and the Secretary visited them too."DM and the Secretary came here yesterday. They decided to conduct the PCS exam on one day, and RO/ARO exam has been postponed. They have formed a committee for RO/ARO exam. We will decide the further course of action as per the decision of the committee. The PCS exam is scheduled to be held on 22nd December," he said.
Last year, the Commission's release said that the exam will be conducted in two shifts: the first from 9:30 AM to 11:30 AM, and the second from 2:30 PM to 4:30 PM.
"In view of the nature of the Combined State/Senior Subordinate Service Examination, the Commission has decided in principle to conduct it on a single day, as was done earlier," stated the UPPSC in an official statement. (ANI)