UPSC aspirants demand age relaxation, protest outside Rajnath Singh`s residence

Aspirants of Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) protested outside Home Minister Rajnath Singh`s residence here on Saturday, demanding scrapping of C-SAT (Aptitude Test) and age relaxation for 2011 candidates.

Zee Media Bureau
New Delhi: Aspirants of Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) protested outside Home Minister Rajnath Singh`s residence here on Saturday, demanding scrapping of C-SAT (Aptitude Test) and age relaxation for 2011 candidates. Meanwhile, to prevent the protesters from invading the security, police barricaded the area. Tanay Rana, a UPSC aspirant said, "The rule of the UPSC is that whenever the pattern or syllabus of the examination is changed, then appropriate age relaxation and attempts are provided. But the pattern which was changed in 2011, the victims of 2011 candidates were not given any relaxation or attempts." "We have been protesting for our demand for the last two years but no benefit has been given to the candidates of that year. Our demand here is to get three or four years of age relaxation, so that we can also be accommodated in those two attempts provided by the UPSC in the year 2014-15," he added. Pankaj Kumar Jha, another candidate said, "The government promised us of providing three to four years of age relaxation during Allahabad elections. We are in constant contact with them and they have assured us that action will be taken. But, as the exam date is coming nearer, we are left with no other option but to protest." Another protesting aspirant, Dharamveer Kumar Saxena said, "The candidates of the year 2011 are the worst victims of changed pattern of C-SAT (Aptitude Test). We have gathered here to remind Home Minister about his promise made to us during Allahabad election campaign." Last month, Union Public Service Commission granted two extra attempts for the candidates appearing for the Civil Services Examination and also relaxed the consequential age from this year onwards. A candidate between the age group of 21-32 years August 1, 2014 can take the exam. In a notification issued by the UPSC for the 2014 Civil Services Examination, it is stated, "Every candidate appearing for the examination, which is otherwise eligible, shall be permitted six attempts (two more than earlier four)." The Civil Services Examination for the year 2014 will be held on August 24. The examination is conducted in three stages-preliminary, main and interview. (With ANI inputs)