Editor,

I write as an anxious aspirant to draw attention to an unintended clash between two major recruitment examinations this August. The Staff Selection Board’s combined graduate level (CGL) exam is currently scheduled for 30 August, 2026, while the UPSC civil services mains examinations run from 21-30 August, 2026 (according to the tentative calendar which was released last year).

Given the limitation of choices of exam centres for the UPSC mains – the nearest being Guwahati, Shillong or even Delhi – it compromises with our opportunity to come out of unemployment.

The CGL calendar was published with an earlier date in May, and was later postponed due to technical reasons. This rescheduling into the last week of August creates significant hardship for aspirants who are also UPSC candidates, as both exams demand intensive preparation and undivided attention. The overlap also places undue stress on families and undermines the fairness of the recruitment process by forcing candidates to prioritise one exam over the other.

I respectfully request that the authorities consider postponing the CGL exam by one week – to the first week of September – to avoid the clash and restore a level playing field. A brief delay would allow affected candidates to sit for both examinations without compromise, uphold the credibility of the selection processes, and prevent unnecessary mental and financial strain.

I hope this appeal encourages the relevant bodies to take sympathetic, practical action in the public interest to uphold the natural justice.

Mains appearing

candidate