Editor,
I would like to draw attention to a matter causing unnecessary stress among APPSC aspirants. It is disappointing that the commission announced the list of permitted scientific calculators for the forthcoming Arunachal Engineering Service (AES) Exam-2025 at the very last moment.
The decision is particularly surprising, given that the chairman himself comes from an engineering background and must be aware that candidates develop familiarity and speed with their daily-used calculators over months of practice. Announcing restrictions just before the exam puts aspirants at a disadvantage, as adapting to a new calculator model within a short span is neither practical nor fair.
A serious concern is the exclusion of the Casio fx-991EX model. Most engineering students have been using this calculator since their college days, for over 5-6 years, and are fully adapted to its functions and speed. At this stage, it is extremely difficult for aspirants to suddenly switch to a new calculator model. Some may argue that the fx-991EX is faster or unavailable in the market, but in reality, its upgraded version, the fx-991CW, is already available. Hence, the commission could easily have permitted the fx-991EX, especially when it is still widely in use among aspirants.
If the commission truly intended to standardize calculator usage, such a notification should have been issued at least 2-3 months in advance, giving candidates adequate time to procure and practice with the approved models.
I therefore request the APPSC to reconsider its decision and allow the Casio fx-991EX model for the upcoming AES Exam-2025, in the interest of fairness. At the very least, I appeal to the commission to avoid such abrupt decisions in the future, keeping in mind the efforts of thousands of sincere aspirants.
Aspirant