The demand for an extension of the Rajasthan Administrative Service Examination (RAS), scheduled for January, gained momentum as candidates began protesting outside the residence of BJP leader Rajendra Rathore. The protesters, who gathered at Jaipur Civil Lines, urged for more time for exam preparation. After an hour of protest, they recited the Hanuman Chalisa and prayed for a favourable decision from the government. The police were present, but Rathore refused to have the protesters removed.
Last Sunday, a large rally was organized in Jaipur where candidates demanded an extension of the exam date. Before the protest, a press conference was held at the Press Club, where candidates insisted on the Rajasthan Public Service Commission (RPSC) extending the date for the main examination. They expressed readiness to take the exam in one month but requested RPSC to provide the Mains date along with the Preliminary exam. The candidates threatened to escalate their protest, including a symbolic strike and a fast unto death if their demands were not met.
Candidates argue that the three-month gap between the pre-exam and the main exam was insufficient for adequate preparation. The RPSC pre-exam results were declared in October, followed by a notification for the main examination on January 27-28. The protesting candidates claim the support of more than 15 MLAs, including Dr Kirodilal Meena and Gopal Sharma. The situation awaits the government’s response to the candidates’ demands.
