Editor,
Through the columns of your esteemed newspaper, I would like to draw the attention of the Arunachal Pradesh Public Service Commission (APPSC) chairman to an important concern regarding the recently advertised assistant engineer (AE) recruitment exam.
The notification for the AE exam is a much welcome step and signals the commission’s effort to restore normalcy after the unfortunate 2022 paper leak incident. However, the sudden introduction of a revised syllabus has caused significant distress to long-time aspirants like me.
I have been appearing for the AE examination since 2017-18 and had cleared the mains in my last two attempts, though I couldn’t make it to the final selection list. For the past 7-8 years, I have been preparing sincerely with the old syllabus as my foundation. Now, with just under three months to go for the exam, the sudden change in syllabus feels deeply unfair and demotivating.
As someone who is currently employed as a junior engineer, my preparation time is limited. With the old syllabus, I still had confidence that I could prepare effectively within the available time. But the revised syllabus demands starting almost from scratch, and that is an unrealistic expectation from working professionals like me who are still striving hard to move up through dedication and persistence.
The 2022 paper leak was already an injustice to us. This abrupt change, without sufficient preparation time or transitional support, feels like yet another blow to old and working aspirants. It’s disheartening to feel that despite years of effort, our chances are being eroded by sudden policy shifts.
I sincerely urge the commission, through your respected platform, to reconsider this decision or provide a fair transition – perhaps by retaining the old syllabus for one last attempt or offering additional preparation time. Such a move would be a compassionate and just response to the situation of many aspirants.
2017-18, 2019, 2022
AE aspirant