Candidates in a fix as MPSC, UPSC exam dates clash

Candidates appearing for Police Sub Inspector (PSI) examination of Maharashtra Public Service Commission (MPSC) and the Mains exam of the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) are in a fix as both the exams are scheduled to be held on 8th December.

Several candidates have approached the MPSC with a request that the PSI examination be rescheduled. However, MPSC officials said that no change is possible now.

"We had announced the schedule for 2013 exams in November last year. This is our annual practice and while preparing the schedule all the other examinations are taken into the account. The UPSC made a sudden change in dates for its examination due to elections in few states, postponing the exam from 5th December to 8th December. In such a situation, we cannot make any changes in our time table which was announced a year ago," says Sudhir Thakre, chairman of MPSC.

Sachin Kane, an aspirant says, "I have cleared the prelims for PSI and UPSC civil service examinations. If the dates are not changed, I will have to give up on one of the examination."

Another candidate Ravi Kothari says, "Both exams are very important for me. We have written a letter to the MPSC chairman urging him to change the dates."

Thakre added that the process of conducting an examination is very elaborate which involves finalising examination centers, printing hall tickets, arranging for the exam machinery, setting of question papers and keeping them confidential, printing etc. " the entire process is time consuming and needs a lot of planning and coordination. Sudden change in dates means the process will have to be re-done," says Thakre.