Odisha Civil Services application rejection: Aspirants demand OPSC to give another chance for correction

The Odisha Public Service Commission (OPSC) recently rejected applications of as many as 7039 Odisha Civil Services aspirants. Though the commission revealed the reasons behind its move, the rejection seems to have brewed resentment among the masses.

The OCS-2021 applicants are now demanding a second chance for correction in the application forms so that all their hard work and preparation to appear for the top exam do not go in vein.

As per the OPSC notice, applications of most of the candidates were rejected on the ground of not furnishing address, qualification and physical measurement details. Besides, many candidates also failed to pay examination fee and uploaded their photographs while filling up the online application form which led to the rejection.

Meanwhile, some candidates claim that they had to face a lot of difficulties during filling online application forms. 

“I was not aware that one needs login credentials, ID and password, before filling the form. We also faced a lot of problems as the website was crashing during form fill up,” said aspirant Pankaj Kumar Kisan whose application has been rejected.

On the other hand, UPSC form fill up is simple as compared to the OPSC website and one never faces problem in uploading the requisite documents, added Kisan. 

“My application submission was successful and I even got the acknowledgement letter. But now, I am disappointed after receiving the rejection letter. I urge the OPSC to give us another chance to make the necessary correction and help us appear the exam,” said another applicant, Paratap Sethi.

Former OPSC chairman Brig LC Patnaik said students should appeal to the OPSC and the commission may take the matter into consideration given its magnitude.

Pramod Padhi, competitive exam expert, said some points in the OPSC application form are confusing and hence, a little modification can give clarity to the applicants. He further said aspirants need to remain cautious while filling job application forms, especially when it comes to civil services exams.

The preliminary examination for OCS-2021 will be conducted in September 2022 while the main written examination is scheduled to be held in January 2023. The viva-voce for the exam will be held in September/October 2023.

Though OTV tried to contact the concerned officials on the matter, they denied to comment stating that it was their regular process of work.