SSC holds re-exam for 59,500 candidates after tech failures: How it happened and what’s changed
The Staff Selection Commission (SSC) on August 29 conducted a special re-examination for 59,500 candidates affected by technical glitches during the original SSC Selection Post Phase 13 exams. The re-exam was held in three shifts to accommodate all affected aspirants.The earlier exams were held between July 24 and August 2 but faced widespread technical issues that impacted a significant number of candidates. In response, the Commission initiated a detailed analysis of exam logs to identify those who experienced disruptions.Protests led to Commission’s decisionFollowing large-scale protests by aspirants and coaching professionals at Ramlila Maidan in Delhi, the SSC announced a re-exam for the impacted candidates. Over a thousand individuals gathered at the protest site, demanding fair conduct and resolution of examination issues.Subsequently, the Commission scheduled three special exam shifts on August 29. The exam city intimation slips were released on August 22, followed by the issue of admit cards on August 26.Exam rescheduling and new security measuresThe SSC also postponed the Combined Graduate Level (CGL) Examination 2025, initially scheduled for August 13. The exam will now be held in mid-September to allow technical and administrative adjustments.In a broader move towards securing its examination process, the SSC introduced multiple system changes. These include Aadhaar-based authentication, implementation of a new normalisation method, and tighter monitoring of private exam centres.Change in exam conducting agency and content policyUntil June 2025, Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) was responsible for conducting SSC exams. From July 2025, Eduquity Career Technologies assumed the role through an open tender. In compliance with a directive from the Supreme Court, the responsibility for setting question papers has been separated from the exam conducting agency and handed over to independent content providers.IT system upgrades and new partnershipsTo improve examination security and technical performance, SSC has partnered with the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (CDAC). CDAC is currently integrating SSC’s systems with those of Eduquity. This transition process has faced some initial challenges.Overview of key SSC exam changes
The SSC’s response includes both immediate re-examination efforts and long-term structural reforms, aiming to ensure fair and secure exam conduct for future recruitment cycles.TOI Education is on WhatsApp now. Follow us here.
