In Prayagraj, thousands of candidates for the UP Public Service Commission (UPPSC) exams have taken to the streets, protesting the normalization process used in recent PCS Pre and RO-ARO 2023 exams held over two days. The protest, which has seen students demanding a single-day, single-shift examination, intensified outside the UPPSC office where a large police force has been deployed to manage the situation.

The protesting candidates argue that the two-shift system, which requires normalization, disadvantages high-performing candidates, as different difficulty levels in each shift create inconsistencies. Many claim that normalization will unfairly penalize those facing a harder paper, leading to an arbitrary selection process. They demand that both the PCS Pre 2024 and RO-ARO exams be conducted in a single shift to ensure uniformity and fairness.

The protests have intensified in recent days, with crowds breaking police barricades and clashing with officers. Viral videos from the protest show a large number of students gathered outside the UPPSC office, carrying banners and chanting slogans. Due to the growing unrest, police were forced to use mild force to control the situation, and the authorities have stationed Vajra vehicles, fire brigades, and Rapid Action Force (RAF) units around the area.

Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police (ADCP) Abhishek Bharti appealed to students to conduct their protest in a designated area. However, candidates have refused to comply, resulting in traffic congestion in the surrounding areas. The protests have disrupted daily life, with major roads experiencing heavy blockages due to the swelling crowd.

The UPPSC had scheduled the PCS Pre 2024 exam for December 7 and 8, with the RO-ARO exam set for December 22 and 23. The two-shift scheduling led to the normalization process being implemented, a measure that many candidates find unfair. Candidates argue that UPPSC has previously handled larger exams in a single shift, and they demand similar treatment for the upcoming exams.

Amidst this intense standoff, the police and administration remain on high alert, monitoring the ongoing protests to prevent further escalation.