The declaration of much awaited Kashmir Administrative Services (KAS) examination dates by the Jammu and Kashmir Public Service Commission examination has raised the stress levels of those aspiring candidates who are also appearing for Indian Forest Services (IFS) Mains examination notified by Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) around the same date.
KAS Mains Examination is scheduled to start Nov 1, 2016. The candidates fear that they won’t be able to sit in IFS Mains examinations on Nov 12, 2016 as the KAS exam takes a month to conclude.
“As per past records, KAS Mains exam runs throughout a month. In any case, it won’t end by 12th of November, that is date notified by UPSC for IFS Mains. IFS Mains has 7-8 papers and exam ends by 22nd November. Then from 3rd December, IAS Mains exam commences for next 5 days,” said Haamid Bukhari, an aspiring candidate.
Another candidate, Tasir Ahmad said that not only does the PSC’s ‘casual approach’ raise the stress levels of the candidates but also wastes their time and money.
“We spend thousands of rupees on these forms. In the end, we are not able to appear in them. Isn’t it a way of looting? They don’t consider all factors before notifying a date,” said Ahmad.
The candidates appealed JKPSC to postpone the KAS Mains for a month till IAS Mains examination concludes, i.e. till Dec 10, 2016.
“In 2015, they had to change the dates due to direct clash with IFS Mains but the scheduled Mains didn’t happen till date due to a writ petition, which is still pending in the court,” said the candidates.
“We appeal the authorities to select a feasible date so we can appear in both the exams,” they added.
The JKPSC officials did not respond to phone calls, despite many attempts.
