SSC CGL Exam in Single Shift: At a time when the Staff Selection Commission (SSC) faced mounting criticism and even student protests due to multiple exam-related issues between July 24 and August 1, the body is now taking serious corrective steps.
In an exclusive interview with Navbharat Times (NBT), SSC Chairman S Gopalakrishnan openly acknowledged the challenges candidates faced — ranging from computer malfunctions and faulty mice to Aadhaar verification delays and far-off exam centres.
He assured candidates that the Combined Graduate Level (CGL) exam has been restructured and will now be conducted smoothly in September 2025.
✨ Key Takeaways from the Chairman’s Statement
- ✅ CGL exam postponed to September 2025 after glitches in July.
- ✅ New score normalisation formula introduced, fairer than before.
- ✅ Exam responsibilities divided among four specialised agencies.
- ✅ Aadhaar verification mandatory to curb impersonation.
- ✅ Centres will now be within 100 km, closer to candidates’ homes.
- ✅ No return to pen-paper mode; exams will remain computer-based.
- ✅ Around 2 crore candidates appear for SSC exams every year.
🖥️ Why the Exam Was Postponed
The July session of SSC exams was marred by several glitches:
- ❌ Computer system crashes at various centres.
- ❌ Faulty hardware like malfunctioning mice and keyboards.
- ❌ Delayed Aadhaar verification, forcing students to wait for hours.
- ❌ Centres allotted hundreds of kilometres away from candidates’ preferred cities.
These issues created frustration, sparked protests, and raised questions about fairness.
“Some deficiencies were natural since we changed the examination process from July. Candidates’ concerns about nearby centres, timely exams, and properly functioning computers are genuine,” Gopalakrishnan admitted.
📊 The New Normalisation Formula
One of the most important changes is the introduction of a new normalisation formula for evaluating candidates’ scores.
- 🔹 Earlier system (used until June 2025): Scores were adjusted across multiple shifts, which some students felt was unfair.
- 🔹 New system (from July 2025 onwards):
- Shift-wise evaluation will be done.
- If one shift’s paper is tougher and another’s is easier, candidates will be judged within their own shift only.
This shift-wise approach is expected to ensure fairness and transparency.
👉 Importantly, the Tier 2 (final) exam will now be conducted in a single shift using advanced technology to maintain equality for all candidates.
🏢 Four Agencies to Share Responsibility
Until recently, a single agency handled all aspects of the SSC exams, from conducting tests to preparing question papers. This lack of separation caused mismanagement.
Now, responsibilities have been divided among four agencies:
| 🏢 Agency | 📌 Responsibility |
|---|---|
| Exam Centres Agency | Ensures verified infrastructure and smooth exam conduct |
| Security Agency | Manages biometric checks, Aadhaar authentication, and prevents cheating |
| Application Management Agency | Handles candidate applications, exam scheduling, and result processing |
| Content Creation Agency | Designs and safeguards question papers |
SSC itself will directly monitor question paper patterns to ensure quality.
This distribution of tasks is aimed at creating a robust, transparent, and accountable system.
🆔 Aadhaar Verification & Security Measures
Many students complained about OTP delays and Aadhaar glitches during July. However, the Chairman clarified why Aadhaar was made mandatory:
- 🔒 It prevents impersonation (someone else writing the exam in place of a candidate).
- 📄 Aadhaar authentication is now required from application stage till final joining.
- 🕵️♂️ Confidentiality of question papers is better protected.
- 🚫 Reduces chances of leaks and malpractice.
“Though initial glitches delayed OTP verifications, the process has now stabilised. It ensures complete confidentiality and prevents question paper leaks,” Gopalakrishnan assured.
Additionally, new AI-based monitoring technology is being deployed at private centres to curb external interference. Only centres with verified, updated infrastructure will be used.
📍 Exam Centres to Be Closer
One of the biggest student complaints was being allotted exam centres 500 km away from their home city.
The Chairman explained that this happened because the new vendor struggled to secure enough centres.
Now, corrective measures have been taken:
- ✅ 80% of candidates are already getting centres as per their first choice.
- ✅ From the CGL exam onwards, this will rise to 90% or more.
- ✅ Maximum travel distance will be capped at 100 km.
This decision is expected to reduce travel stress and financial burden for lakhs of aspirants.
📝 No Return to Pen-Paper Mode
Some students suggested a return to traditional pen-and-paper exams. But the SSC chief ruled this out completely.
- ❌ Pen-paper mode would bring back risks of leaks, delays, and large-scale cheating.
- ❌ With crores of candidates, handling physical papers is impractical.
- ✅ Computer-Based Test (CBT) ensures quick, transparent, and secure results.
- ✅ Question papers are now delivered only minutes before the exam begins, preventing leaks.
The focus will remain on technology-driven exams, with improvements in infrastructure to ensure smooth functioning.
📈 The Scale of SSC Exams
The magnitude of SSC recruitment highlights why the system needs to be secure and efficient:
- 👥 Around 2 crore candidates appear for SSC exams every year.
- 🏆 Major exams like CGL and CHSL attract up to 60 lakh candidates each.
- 📅 On average, 15–16 main exams are conducted annually.
- 💼 These lead to around 1.5 lakh government job appointments every year.
Clearly, the SSC plays a massive role in shaping careers of millions of aspirants across India.
🌟 Final Words
The SSC’s decision to restructure the exam process comes as a relief for lakhs of candidates who were worried after July’s glitches.
By introducing a new normalisation formula, dividing responsibilities among four agencies, making Aadhaar verification mandatory, ensuring centres within 100 km, and sticking to computer-based tests, the Commission is working hard to restore trust and confidence among aspirants.
📌 For students, this means fewer technical issues, shorter travel distances, and a fairer evaluation process.
As the CGL exam returns in September 2025, candidates can expect a much smoother experience — and hopefully, a step closer to their dream government job. 🚀
