VIJAYAWADA: The Andhra Pradesh Public Service Commission (APPSC) has made it clear that the Group 2 Main examination will be held on February 23 as scheduled despite protests from aspirants and a request from the State government for its deferment.
A total of 92,250 aspirants have qualified for the Group 2 Main exam, which will be held at 175 centres across 13 erstwhile undivided districts of the State on Sunday to fill 905 vacant posts. Elaborate arrangements have been made for the smooth conduct of the exam.
On Friday, the government requested the APPSC to postpone Group 2 Main exam, citing the need to file a counter affidavit in compliance with the Andhra Pradesh High Court’s direction. However, the APPSC rejected the request stating that the High Court had already permitted the conduct of the Group 2 Main exam, and that the Model Code of Conduct for MLC elections is in force.
APPSC Secretary I Narasimha Murthy said a police complaint was lodged seeking action against those who spread misinformation that the Group 2 Main exam was postponed.
Meanwhile, protests by aspirants and student organisations intensified contending that the conduct of the exam without releasing roster details violates the Supreme Court orders. An appeal was made before a division bench of the High Court against the single judge bench order, allowing the conduct of the exam as per schedule.
HRD and IT Minister Nara Lokesh acknowledged the concerns of aspirants on X, stating that legal options are being explored.
CPI State secretary K Ramakrishna urged Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu to intervene, blaming the previous YSRCP government for issuing a flawed notification. Bharatha Chaitanya Yuvajana Party chief Bode Ramachandra Yadav also criticised the government for going ahead despite acknowledging errors in the court.
AP Unemployed Joint Action Committee State president Samayam Hemantha Kumar warned that unresolved roster issues could lead to legal delays, affecting recruitment and pushing candidates beyond the employment age limit.
Meanwhile, Group-2 aspirants staged a protest at Isakathota Junction in Visakhapatnam on Saturday. They demanded the State government clear the reservation roster before conducting the Group-2 Mains examination, which is scheduled to be held by the Andhra Pradesh Public Service Commission (APPSC) on February 23 (Sunday).