UKSSSC plans re-exam this year, writes to DMs to identify 600 centres

Dehradun: UKSSSC will conduct a re-exam later this year after the Sept 21 recruitment test was cancelled on Saturday due to a confirmed . Anticipating a larger turnout, the commission has written to all district magistrates to identify around 600 potential examination centres, with preference for govt schools and colleges, officials said on Monday.According to officials, around 1.5 lakh candidates had registered for the earlier exam, of which over 1 lakh appeared across 450 centres, marking a turnout of nearly 68%. "This time, the numbers could go up, and we are planning accordingly. The target is to accommodate around 2 lakh aspirants, for whom approximately 600 centres will be identified," UKSSSC chairperson GS Martolia told TOI.Martolia said govt schools and colleges would be the first preference for centres. "We would also opt for ITI and polytechnic institutes. However, we will go for private schools and colleges only if there is no other option," he said.The move comes as part of the commission's efforts to restore confidence among candidates after an interim report by a judicial panel confirmed a paper leak at the Haridwar exam centre. The cancellation followed mounting pressure from job aspirants and eight days of protest in Dehradun, during which the Dhami govt committed to a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe.Authorities are expected to tighten security protocols, increase surveillance, and ensure stricter scrutiny of examination staff to prevent malpractice in the upcoming test.The UKSSSC chief said Uttarakhand currently has enough institutions to conduct competitive exams. "In future, if the number of candidates exceeds the four or five lakh mark, we can decide to conduct the exam in shifts, though there is no such plan as yet," he added.Meanwhile, the exam for 45 posts, which was earlier scheduled for Oct 5, will now be held on Nov 16, the UKSSSC announced on Monday.