Thiruvananthapuram: Nearly 10,000 candidates who successfully cleared the Civil Police Officers (CPO) Exam find themselves in limbo, despite being included in the rank list. This unfortunate situation has pushed deserving youths to stage protests in front of the Secretariat, demanding job placements.
The notification for the PSC (Public Service Commission) exam was issued back in December 2019. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the exam was delayed for two years. These candidates also faced PSC’s new reform, which introduced a two-stage exam process comprising ‘Mains’ and ‘Prelims’. Despite the physical fitness test being conducted seven months later and the rank list being published on April 13, 2023, many find themselves without job opportunities.
The prolonged examination process, which took four years to complete for a position that is typically filled annually, has caused significant distress. Moreover, since general category candidates can only apply up to the age of 26, approximately 80 percent of those on the list have exceeded this age limit. The ineffectiveness of the government’s handling of the situation has resulted in five years of wasted potential for these youths, exacerbating their plight.
Frustrated by the government’s negligence, candidates who excelled in the PSC examination and physical fitness test are now protesting in front of the Secretariat even amidst scorching temperatures. Their demonstrations include lying on the road, kneeling, and organizing bicycle rallies. Symbolic acts of protest, such as tying ropes around their necks and staging mock suicides, and protesting with symbolic dead bodies, underscore the desperation of their demands for action from the government.
Despite their relentless protests and sacrifices, there has been a noticeable lack of response from the government, further fueling their determination to continue their strike until their demands are met.
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