The Staff Selection Commission (SSC) is all set to conduct the tier 2 examination for the Combined Graduate Level (CGL) examination this month. Shortlisted candidates from tier 1 will be appearing for the exam on January 28 and 29, 2022. However, amidst the rising COVID-19 cases due to the third wave, many aspirants are resorting to the postponement of the exams. The problem has mostly arisen due to the travel restrictions imposed by various state governments. As a result, most of the candidates are unable to book their tickets.
It has been reported that the candidates have tried to reach out to the SSC officials via phone calls and emails. However, it is alleged that they did not get any response. Thus, it now seems that the exams are unlikely to be postponed.
As per sources, a senior official of the Commission has stated that there are no plans for postponing the exams since the active COVID-19 cases have started to decrease in Delhi and Mumbai, two places that have been worst hit by the third wave. Apart from SSC CGL, many other competitive exams are being held.
What do the aspirants think?
This has now given rise to a Twitter movement in which candidates and users have come up with the hashtag ‘postpone_cgl_mains2021’. Aspirants now fear that with the rising COVID-19 cases, they are at the risk of getting infected. The user in the image attached below has also mentioned that with 2.38 lakh cases, minimal testing is being done. If the exams are held in such a scenario, then it will put the candidates and their family members in danger.
The problem gets aggravated due to the cancellation of trains. A record number of aspirants will be appearing for the Mains exam from various parts of the country. However, with the trains getting cancelled, they will be facing commuting problems. As per this user’s opinion, if mass gathering has been banned then the examination should also get postponed.
If one presumes that India’s rising number of COVID-19 cases also means that most of the candidates are infected, then conducting exams in such a situation would put the lives of other candidates at risk. Moreover, speculations are rife that the number of cases may reach its peak in the upcoming days. Hence, conducting exams in such a situation is not in the best interests of the candidates.
At this point, given the COVID-19 situation, candidates are of the opinion that postponement of the SSC CGL 2020 tier 2 exams is the need of the hour. The Twitter campaign has gained intensity. A lot of logistical problems will arise if the exams are held on the stipulated dates. It’s now the Commission’s decision that lakhs of aspirants are awaiting.
