Letters to the Editor: Postponement of APSC CCE Mains

Postponement of APSC CCE Mains

I, on behalf of the candidates of APSC CCE(2020) Mains, would like to request the authority concerned to take kind steps to postpone the APSC CCE Mains examinations which are scheduled from 21 February 2022 to 27 February 2022 for the following genuine reasons:

1. The APSC is violating its own rules 'Assam Public Services Combined Competitive Examination (Amendment) Rules 2019' published on 5th August 2019 (Page No. 6, Serial No. 7)

The rule says "...The eligible candidates shall be issued an e-admission certificate three weeks before the commencement of the examination'. But the APSC has issued the routine for the examination on 29.01.2022. The exam is going to start on 21.02. 2022. Admits are going to be issued on 14.02.2022 which is a violation of the above rule. Only one week is there instead of three weeks.

2. In this pandemic time, when the third wave of Covid is not over, for the candidates from outside Guwahati to arrange accommodation in such less time is problematic.

3. SLET examination and IFoS Mains is on 27 February 2022. The APSC CCE Mains exam is also on the same date. SEBI Grade A exam, ATEPFO JA Stage II, IES and examination for recruitment in the Assam Police is also on 20th February. All these examinations have different demands from the syllabus and preparation point of view, apart from the clashing of the dates.

4. Many of the candidates are engaged in frontline Covid jobs and require at least 1 month time to get leave from our places of posting to sit for the exam.

5. In this pandemic time even many scheduled competitive exams as the Assam Judicial Services exam, RRB exam, UPPCS Mains exam have been postponed.

(UPPCS exam scheduled to be held from 28.01.22 has been rescheduled to 23.03.22).

6. The commission is trying to emulate the UPSC. However, the UPSC publishes its exam calendar at the start of the year where all exams are scheduled. But the APSC has notified an important exam like APSC (M) just 21 days before the exam date.

7. Arunachal Pradesh Public Service Commission also conducted the PCS exam in the UPSC pattern. However, they have notified marks distribution and model papers around 2.5 months before conducting the exam.

8. In the prelims, the APSC had released Model Paper to help the students. However, in the Mains, not even a single Model Paper has been released for the 8 three-hour-long descriptive papers.

9. Back to back exam dates (18 hours of writing over 3 days) is a strenuous activity, and it has never been done in Assam before this exam.

10. APSC notified of the prelims exam, which is a 1-day Multiple Choice Question paper, 47 days before the exam. However, for the eight three-hour-long descriptive papers, APSC has notified the exact date just 23 days before the exam.

Since this APSC exam is being held after almost 3 years, and many careers are at stake, therefore, we the student community would be much obliged if you use your good offices to postpone this APSC Mains 2020 exam by at least a few weeks or a month.

Some aspirants

Congrats Nadal!

What's a comeback for sixth seed Rafael Nadal, who has won his 21st grand slam with victory at the Australian Open, his first Melbourne title since 2009. Nadal's hair may be giving up, his knees are shot, his hands have arthritis, and he's almost 36, recovering from major surgery and Covid-19, and has been on court for an eye-watering number of hours over the last 2 weeks. He's come back from 2 sets down in the final against Daniil Medvedev, but his sheer will to win is astounding.

Yes, Nadal defeated Medvedev, the second seed, 2-6, 6-7 (5), 6-4, 6-4, 7-5 in five hours and 24 minutes, the second-longest grand slam final. It is the first time in Nadal's career he has come back from two sets down in a slam final.

Well played Medvedev (though he criticizes spectators after defeat) deserved to win but Nadal is touring de force, a wall that is very difficult to beat even when not in the best of form. Nadal's unexpected victory means he is now the sole owner of the men's grand slam record but he has consistently played down the importance of the achievement. "I feel lucky to achieve one more very special thing in my tennis career," he said.

Once again congrats Nadal, what a player, what a champion, immense mental fortitude. Did not expect him to win this one especially against Medvedev who was in red hot form. Coming back from 2 sets down, only Nadal could have made a comeback like this. There have been better matches, there have been more compelling and nerve-jangling finals, but in terms of sheer will to win? It's a pity that there is not a single player in the next-gen that has shown the skill and talent to take him on and beat him when it matters.

Bidyut Kumar Chatterjee,

Faridabad 121005