Cancellations, glitches, wrong exam centre: Here's why SSC aspirants are protesting in Delhi
The aspirants protested at Jantar Mantar and the CGO Complex, demanding accountability from one of India's largest recruitment bodies, following complaints of technical glitches and exam-day confusion. They have sought a complete review of the examination process, a rollback or reassessment of the vendor contract, and an independent investigation into the failures.
Held between July 24 and August 1, the computer-based Phase 13 examination process was allegedly marred by abrupt cancellations, software crashes, biometric verification failures, and incorrect exam centre allotments. Many candidates who had travelled long distances at their own expense to their examination centres were disappointed to note that their exams had been cancelled without prior notice.
The alleged mismanagement is largely attributed to a recent change in the Commission's exam vendor. The protesters alleged that the new vendor lacked the experience and technical capacity to manage large-scale recruitment drives.
'The vendor's failure to smoothly conduct even an examination like Phase 13 has intensified concerns,' said Ronak Khatri, president of Delhi University Students Union, who was among the agitators on Saturday.
Khatri told The Indian Express, 'I was there at the protest to raise issues of the students. The exam centres were away, several students missed their exams and there were several technical glitches which did not allow students to perform to their best.'
Anger has spilled onto social media, with hashtags like #SSCMisManagement, #SSCSystemSudharo, and #JusticeForAspirants trending nationally. Students have shared images and videos from test centres and protest sites, highlighting instances of mismanagement and alleged mistreatment by security staff.
The crisis escalated with the emergence of viral clips showing clashes between students and officials at some centres. In several locations, aspirants claimed they were manhandled or removed from premises for questioning procedural lapses.
Aspirants and educators gathered this week in large numbers in New Delhi under the banner of a 'Delhi Chalo' campaign, raising a call for systemic reform. The protests took a more serious turn after reports emerged of police action at the demonstration sites. Students alleged that security personnel resorted to lathi charges to disperse crowds, leading to further outrage and condemnation online.
The present crisis has also raised concerns among the aspirants of SSC Combined Graduate Level (CGL) exam scheduled to begin on August 13.
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