In a major relief to thousands of SSC aspirants across India, Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh has assured that students who were affected by technical and administrative issues during the SSC Selection Post Phase 13 exams will be given a chance to reappear for the test. This decision comes after widespread student protests, complaints on social media, and mounting pressure from advocacy groups demanding fair treatment for candidates.
The announcement has brought hope to many aspirants. They had faced serious problems during the exam. Some experienced malfunctioning systems and black screens. Others dealt with unresponsive computer mice. Many were affected by last-minute changes in exam centers. For many, these disruptions meant lost time, incomplete attempts, and an unfair evaluation of their abilities. Now, with the minister’s intervention, there’s renewed trust in the examination process.
What Actually Happened?
The Staff Selection Commission (SSC) had scheduled the Phase 13 selection post exams between July 24 and August 1, 2025, across 194 centers in 100 cities. This large-scale recruitment test was meant to be a smooth computer-based assessment. However, reports began to emerge from different parts of the country about serious issues in the conduct of the exam.
Some of the common complaints included:
- System crashes and software lags
- Blank screens during login or mid-exam
- Computer mice not working
- Candidates being sent to centers located over 500 km away
- Improper arrangements at exam venues
These issues were not limited to one region or center. Students from states like Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Delhi, Madhya Pradesh, and others reported facing similar challenges.Frustrated aspirants took to social media platforms like Twitter (X) to express their anger. The hashtag #SSCRetest quickly started trending across the country. Students demanded a re-examination for those affected. They also called for an investigation into the vendor responsible for the technical glitches.
Government’s Response
Following the outrage, a group of protesting students met Dr. Jitendra Singh, Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, and submitted a memorandum outlining their grievances. After carefully reviewing the situation, the minister assured that no student would be unfairly penalized due to administrative lapses.
Here are the key takeaways from his assurance:
- Re-Exam for Affected Candidates: Students who faced genuine issues and were unable to complete the exam properly will be given another opportunity to appear for the test. The SSC will arrange special slots or sessions for them, and no additional fee will be charged.
- Refund for Valid Challenges: If a candidate submits a challenge against a question and the commission finds the challenge valid, the ₹100 fee paid by the student will be fully refunded.
- Vendor Accountability: The SSC has launched a probe into the role of the vendor—Eduquity Career Technologies Pvt Ltd—responsible for the technical infrastructure and software. If found at fault, penalties will be imposed, and changes in vendor contracts may be made for future exams.
- Results to be Declared Soon: For exams where there were no reported issues, the commission is on track to release the results within the next few days. The SSC CPO exam results are also expected to be announced within a week.
SSC Chairman Also Speaks Out
In a related statement, SSC Chairman S. Gopalakrishnan acknowledged that there were indeed some “glitches” in certain centers. While he confirmed that the overall exam will not be cancelled, he emphasized that any student with documented issues will not be ignored. Even if just one candidate faced a genuine technical issue, the Commission will ensure that a fair chance is provided through a re-test.
How Will the Re-Examination Work?
Although the SSC is yet to release the detailed process for re-examination, here’s what candidates can expect based on previous precedents:
- Affected students may receive an email or official notification asking them to reconfirm their issues.
- They will likely be asked to submit evidence or documentation (like complaint slips issued at the exam center or screenshots).
- Based on this data, SSC will shortlist eligible candidates for a re-test.
- Fresh admit cards will be issued and shared on the official SSC website.
- The new exam dates will be scheduled at least 10–15 days in advance, giving candidates time to prepare again.
Students’ Reaction
The response from the student community has been largely positive, although many are still waiting for clarity on the implementation. Aspirants have expressed gratitude toward the minister for taking swift action but have also demanded that future exams be made more transparent and glitch-free.
One candidate tweeted, “Finally, our voices were heard. Thank you, Jitendra Singh ji. But we want stricter monitoring to ensure this doesn’t happen again.”
Another wrote, “A re-exam is fine, but what about those who traveled hundreds of kilometers, spent money, and still couldn’t take the test? Hope SSC compensates them fairly.”
Why This Matters
The SSC exams are among the most sought-after government job entrance tests in India, with millions of applicants every year. Any flaw in the exam process not only affects individual careers but also raises questions about the transparency of public recruitment. By responding swiftly and positively, the government has shown a willingness to uphold fairness.
However, this incident also highlights the need for:
- Better vetting of vendors
- Stronger exam infrastructure
- Real-time grievance redressal mechanisms
- Clear SOPs for handling disruptions
Final Thoughts
For now, the assurance from Minister Jitendra Singh has provided a much-needed sigh of relief to thousands of SSC aspirants. While the re-exam won’t erase the stress and uncertainty many faced, it does restore some faith in the system. What remains crucial now is swift communication from SSC about the next steps, and efficient re-execution of the exam for affected candidates.
As India continues to digitize its recruitment systems, this incident serves as a reminder: Technology must empower, not hinder, the future of our youth.
