Video Editor: Deepthi Ramdas
This year, the Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission (JSSC) has increased its exam form fee from Rs 460 to Rs 1,000, a decision that has not gone down well with the students.
I spoke to a few students who had applied for the JSSC competitive exams but are now in a fix because of the increased fee.
“We run our house. We feed our family. We then come here to study. From where will we give Rs 1,000?”Sunil Suman, Applicant
In fact, no other state examination form costs so much.
One of the main reasons why the students are angry is that Jharkhand is a poor state. Here the students who cannot afford to do engineering or medical prepare for general competition.
The students are mostly from villages or from poor socio-economic background or are tribal candidates. For these reasons, aspirants feel this step taken by the government is not right.
Four years ago when the exams took place, the authorities declared it null and void. In 2015, the results were also declared but were not taken into consideration.
Now after all these years, the exams will take place again but with an increase in the form fee.
Another complaint of the students is that the Jharkhand government did not pay attention to the recommendations of the Amar Bauri Committee. Two main recommendations were an increase in the age limit for all residents of Jharkhand appearing the exam from 35 to 45 years and a reservation for locals.
Some students also feel the price hike is due to the upcoming assembly election.
“I’m sure the government is trying to use this money for election purposes. Lakhs of people will fill the form. But the worst part is that there is no guarantee that the exam will take place. The same thing happened last time.”Manoj Yadav, Applicant
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