UPPSC PGT Exam 2022 Postponed for Third Time

UPPSC PGT Exam 2022 Postponed for Third Time: Uttar Pradesh Education Service Selection Commission Faces Backlash

Prayagraj, June 11, 2025: In a major setback for aspirants, the Uttar Pradesh Education Service Selection Commission (UPSESSB) has postponed the Post Graduate Teacher (PGT) Recruitment Examination 2022 for the third time. Originally scheduled for June 18 and 19, 2025, the examination has now been deferred to the last week of August 2025, with no specific date announced yet. This decision, taken during a meeting of the commission on June 10, 2025, has sparked widespread outrage among the 4.5 lakh candidates who have been awaiting this exam for over three years. The repeated delays have not only frustrated aspirants but also raised questions about the commission’s efficiency and commitment to conducting timely recruitment processes.

This article delves into the details of the postponement, the reasons behind it, the impact on candidates, and the broader implications for the recruitment process in Uttar Pradesh’s education sector. It also explores the growing discontent among aspirants, their plans for protests, and the uncertainty surrounding the Trained Graduate Teacher (TGT) examination scheduled for July 2025.

Background of the PGT Recruitment Examination 2022 by UPPSC

The UPSESSB issued a notification on June 9, 2022, inviting applications for the recruitment of 624 PGT posts and 3,539 TGT posts in non-government secondary schools across Uttar Pradesh. The application window, initially set to close on July 9, 2022, was extended by a week, allowing candidates to apply until July 16, 2022. The recruitment drive attracted a staggering 13.19 lakh applicants, with 4.5 lakh candidates registering for the PGT exam and 8.69 lakh for the TGT exam. This massive response underscored the high demand for teaching positions and the aspirations of millions seeking stable government jobs in the education sector.

The PGT examination, intended to fill 624 lecturer posts, was first scheduled for April 11 and 12, 2025. However, it was postponed to June 20 and 21, 2025, and later rescheduled to June 18 and 19, 2025. The third postponement, announced on June 10, 2025, has pushed the exam to the last week of August 2025, leaving candidates in a state of uncertainty and frustration.

Reasons for the Postponement

According to Devendra Pratap Singh, Examination Controller and Acting Secretary of UPSESSB, the postponement was due to “unavoidable circumstances.” However, sources within the commission suggest that the delay stems from inadequate preparations following new guidelines issued in June 2024. These guidelines, aimed at streamlining the examination process, reportedly required additional time for implementation, which the commission failed to manage effectively. The lack of transparency regarding the specific reasons for the postponement has further fueled discontent among candidates.

The commission has assured candidates that the new exam date will be announced soon on its official website, www.upessc.up.gov.in. However, the absence of a confirmed date has left aspirants skeptical about the commission’s ability to adhere to the revised schedule. Many fear that the August timeline may also be delayed, given the commission’s track record.

Candidate Reactions and Planned Protests

The third postponement has triggered a wave of anger among the 4.5 lakh PGT aspirants, who have been preparing for the exam for over three years. Vicky Khan, President of the Competitive Students’ Forum (Pratiyogi Chhatra Morcha), expressed the collective frustration, stating, “The commission has lost all credibility by postponing the exam for the third time. Candidates no longer believe that the exam will be held in August. This is an injustice to lakhs of aspirants who have dedicated years to preparation.”

Khan announced that the Competitive Students’ Forum would soon organize a protest and sit-in at the UPSESSB office in Prayagraj to demand the immediate announcement of a new exam date and the release of a fresh recruitment advertisement. The agitation reflects the growing distrust among candidates, who feel that the commission has failed to prioritize their interests. Social media platforms, particularly X, are abuzz with posts condemning the postponement and calling for accountability from UPSESSB officials. Some candidates have even demanded the resignation of Commission Chairperson Prof. Kirti Pandey and Examination Controller Devendra Pratap Singh, accusing them of mismanagement.

Uncertainty Surrounding the TGT Examination

The postponement of the PGT exam has also cast a shadow over the TGT Recruitment Examination 2022, scheduled for July 21 and 22, 2025. Like the PGT exam, the TGT exam has faced multiple delays, having been postponed twice previously—from April 4 and 5, 2025, to May 14 and 15, 2025, and then to its current dates. With 8.69 lakh candidates registered for the TGT exam, aspirants are now apprehensive that this exam may also be deferred, given the commission’s recent decision.

The uncertainty has left candidates in a dilemma, as many are preparing for both exams simultaneously. The repeated delays have disrupted their study schedules and increased financial and emotional stress. For many, these exams represent a critical opportunity to secure stable employment in a competitive job market, and the prolonged wait has taken a toll on their morale.

Broader Implications for Uttar Pradesh’s Education Sector

The repeated postponements highlight systemic issues within Uttar Pradesh’s education recruitment process. The formation of the Uttar Pradesh Education Service Selection Commission was intended to streamline teacher recruitment and address vacancies in primary, secondary, and higher education institutions. However, as noted in a report by Navbharat Times, the commission has struggled to initiate new recruitments or complete promotion processes, leaving thousands of posts vacant.

The delay in filling 624 PGT and 3,539 TGT posts has exacerbated the shortage of qualified teachers in non-government secondary schools, affecting the quality of education. With over 13 lakh candidates awaiting these exams, the commission’s inability to conduct timely examinations has raised questions about its preparedness and administrative efficiency. The situation is further complicated by the high stakes involved, as these recruitments are critical for addressing unemployment and improving educational outcomes in the state.

Historical Context of Exam Delays

The UPSESSB’s track record of postponing examinations is not new. The commission has faced criticism in the past for similar delays in other recruitment drives, including the Assistant Teacher and Lecturer examinations. The PCS Preliminary Exam 2024, conducted by the Uttar Pradesh Public Service Commission (UPPSC), also faced multiple postponements due to protests over scheduling and normalization processes, eventually being held on December 22, 2024.

These incidents reflect a broader pattern of administrative challenges in Uttar Pradesh’s examination system, including logistical issues, policy changes, and candidate protests. The UPSESSB’s failure to learn from past mistakes has deepened the crisis, leaving aspirants disillusioned and demanding systemic reforms.

Voices from the Ground

Aspirants have taken to social media to express their frustration, with many sharing personal stories of hardship caused by the delays. One candidate posted on X, “Three years of preparation, countless sacrifices, and now another postponement. How long must we wait for justice?” Another user criticized the commission’s leadership, stating, “The chairperson and exam controller have turned this recruitment into a mockery. They should resign if they can’t deliver.”

The sentiment among candidates is one of betrayal, as many feel that their trust in the system has been eroded. The Competitive Students’ Forum has emerged as a vocal advocate for aspirants, channeling their grievances into organized protests. The planned agitation at the UPSESSB office is expected to draw significant participation, potentially escalating the issue into a major public movement.

The Way Forward

To restore confidence among candidates, the UPSESSB must take immediate steps to address the crisis. These include:

1. Announcing a Confirmed Exam Date: The commission should promptly declare a specific date for the PGT exam in August 2025 and ensure no further delays. Transparency in the scheduling process is crucial to rebuilding trust.
2. Improving Communication: Regular updates on the commission’s website and social media platforms can help keep candidates informed and reduce uncertainty.
3. Strengthening Preparations: The commission must address logistical and administrative shortcomings to ensure that the new guidelines are implemented effectively.
4. Engaging with Aspirants: Holding consultations with candidate representatives, such as the Competitive Students’ Forum, can help address grievances and prevent further unrest.
5. Expediting TGT Exam Preparations: To avoid similar delays in the TGT exam, the commission should prioritize preparations and confirm the July 21 and 22, 2025, schedule.

Additionally, the state government, led by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, may need to intervene to ensure accountability and expedite the recruitment process. The government’s response to earlier UPPSC protests, which led to the rescheduling of the PCS exam, demonstrates the potential for high-level intervention to resolve such issues.

Conclusion

The third postponement of the UP PGT Recruitment Examination 2022 has plunged 4.5 lakh aspirants into a state of despair and uncertainty. The Uttar Pradesh Education Service Selection Commission’s failure to conduct the exam on time has not only disrupted candidates’ lives but also highlighted deeper systemic issues in the state’s recruitment process. With the TGT exam also at risk of delay, the commission faces mounting pressure to act decisively.

The growing unrest among aspirants, coupled with their plans for protests, underscores the urgency of addressing this crisis. The UPSESSB must prioritize transparency, efficiency, and candidate welfare to restore faith in the system. For now, the 13.19 lakh candidates awaiting the PGT and TGT exams can only hope that the commission delivers on its promise to hold the PGT exam in August 2025, bringing an end to their prolonged wait.

As the situation unfolds, all eyes are on Prayagraj, where the Competitive Students’ Forum is gearing up for a showdown with the commission. The outcome of their agitation could shape the future of teacher recruitment in Uttar Pradesh and determine whether the state can deliver on its promise of fair and timely opportunities for its youth.