UPPSC PCS Preliminary Exam Sees Low Attendance Amid Enhanced Security Measures

Attendance and Exam Overview

The Uttar Pradesh Public Service Commission (UPPSC) recently conducted its PCS preliminary examination, which garnered attention this year due to a significant drop in attendance. Out of 626,387 registered candidates, only 265,364 participated, indicating an abstention rate of around 57.50%. This marks the second consecutive year where attendance for the preliminary exam fell below 45%.

Candidate Experiences

The first exam shift took place from 9:30 AM to 11:30 AM, with many candidates appearing in high spirits. Participants noted that while some History and Mathematics questions posed challenges, the Current Affairs section was perceived as easier compared to the previous year. General Studies questions were mixed in difficulty, with some candidates finding them moderately challenging.

Mohan Singh, a candidate, expressed optimism that the relatively easier paper could enhance their chances in the Mains exam. The second shift, dedicated to the CSAT paper, was reported to be simpler, with well-prepared candidates finding it less difficult than last year.

Enhanced Security Measures

This year's UP PCS Preliminary Exam was administered across 75 districts in the state. The first shift was from 9:30 AM to 11:30 AM, followed by the second shift from 2:30 PM to 4:30 PM. The Commission implemented stricter security protocols, including biometric verification, iris scanning, CCTV monitoring, and AI-based oversight. These measures contributed to a notable decrease in attendance, with only over 60% of candidates appearing for the exam. Despite the heightened security, those who did attend generally reported a satisfactory exam experience.