Prayagraj witnessed widespread chaos at the Sunita Singh Sita Singh Mahavidyalaya in Andawa on Tuesday after a server failure disrupted the first shift of the SSC-GD recruitment examination. The examination, originally scheduled in three shifts, encountered a critical technical glitch shortly after the first shift commenced at 10 am. The server breakdown triggered immediate protests among the candidates present at the centre.
Details of the Incident
Approximately 450 out of the 600 candidates allocated for the first shift had assembled at the centre when the server went down. Frustrated by the sudden halt, angry aspirants allegedly damaged computers, chairs, and other furniture while raising slogans against the authorities. The situation escalated further when candidates blocked the Prayagraj-Varanasi highway around 11:35 am, causing significant traffic disruption.
Police Intervention and Investigation
Law enforcement officials arrived at the scene and dispersed the protesters within half an hour, restoring normal traffic flow. Sarayinayat police confirmed that an investigation has been launched into the incident, and those responsible for the vandalism will face legal action. Authorities also confirmed that Tuesday's examination at the centre has been cancelled.
Re-examination Plans
Ashish Srivastava, the regional director of the Staff Selection Commission (SSC), stated that a re-examination will be conducted at the same centre. The fresh date for the re-test will be announced later. He appealed to all candidates to maintain peace and refrain from any disruptive actions.
Background of the Reporter
Rajiv Mani, a veteran journalist with the Times of India in Prayagraj for two decades, covers a wide range of beats including education, excise, taxation, and aviation. His extensive reporting includes the Ardh Kumbh Mela (2007 and 2019) and the Maha Kumbh Mela (2013 and 2025), as well as multiple assembly and general elections.
