A crucial government recruitment exam scheduled across Madhya Pradesh on Thursday was postponed nearly two hours after its scheduled start, leaving thousands of candidates frustrated and demanding answers.
Candidates arrived at designated examination centres by 8:00 AM and completed pre-exam formalities, expecting the test to begin by 9:00 AM. But as the minutes stretched into hours, no login credentials were issued to allow the online exam to begin.
At around 11:30 AM—after more than two hours of waiting—candidates were informed that the exam had been postponed due to technical issues. Many were shown an official notice, but no detailed explanation was given.
Candidates said they were made to wait without clear communication or basic amenities. At several centres, even drinking water was unavailable, causing distress to many—especially women and elderly aspirants.
Some candidates who had travelled from distant towns said they spent upwards of Rs 3,000–4,000 each for transport, lodging, and food, only to be told the exam was cancelled after hours of uncertainty.
More than 22,000 aspirants had applied for the Group 1 – Subgroup 3 Joint Recruitment Examination 2024, competing for 157 posts including Manager, Assistant Accountant, and Section Officer.
Protesting candidates submitted a written demand letter to officials, urging them to announce a new date soon, restrict it to those who showed up this time, and provide compensation for financial losses.
They also demanded transparency on the actual reason for the disruption, and insisted that future exam venues ensure access to toilets, clean drinking water, and adequate ventilation.
Meanwhile, the board said it was making efforts to conduct the second shift as scheduled. Candidates welcomed this, but insisted that those affected by the morning cancellation must not be sidelined.
As tension simmers, candidates across the state are waiting for the board to issue a revised schedule and take responsibility for what they described as a failure of planning and accountability.
