SSC CGL 2025 day 1–2 exams cancelled in multiple centres; protests erupt as 'glitch-free' promise collapses

The Staff Selection Commission’s (SSC) assurances of a “glitch-free” and “no loss of time” exam failed on the first two days of the SSC CGL tier-1 exam, which was marred by technical glitches and administrative mismanagement. Official notices from SSC north eastern and eastern region confirm complete cancellation of exams in some centres on September 12 and 13.

More than 28 lakh candidates have registered to appear for the Combined Graduate Level Examination (CGL 2025). The SSC CGL tier-1 exam was earlier scheduled to be held in August. The exam was later postponed due to repeated technical snags and administrative reasons. Meanwhile, protests escalated across the country and slogans like “Our dreams are not a joke” again resurfaced.

Despite the heightened security, CCTV, AI monitoring, biometrics, and appointed representatives at the exam centres, the first day of the exam saw cancellations at multiple centres. The SSC CGL exam was reportedly cancelled in Delhi-NCR, Gurugram, and Jammu centres.

Reports from MM Public School Gurugram show scores of students protesting outside the school where servers crashed and exam was called-off. In a viral video circulated on social media, candidates can be seen raising slogans such as “We want justice” and “SSC, haye haye”’.

SSC chairman’s promises

Amid the widespread protests and demonstrations, the SSC chairman S Gopalakrishnan had assured that the technical difficulties will be resolved before the tier-1 exams for the SSC CGL exam.

He clarified that the far-off centres were allotted as the new exam conducting agency (ECA) did not have as many centres as TCS, the previous ECA.

A day before the exam, the chairman had issued a message to the candidates asking them to not panic in case of any technical issues during the exam.

“In case of any snag, the system will be shifted promptly, and it will be ensured that there will be no loss of time. SSC representatives will be present at all centres, and in case of any concern, you can immediately report the matter to them,” his message read.

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Ground reality

A total of 28,14,604 candidates were to sit for the exam in 260 centres spread over 129 cities. Despite stricter guidelines and overhaul of the examination, initial reports on September 12 claimed that the exams in some centres across Delhi-NCR, Gurugram, Jammu, Kanpur and West Bengal have been cancelled due to glitches and mismanagement.

Social media posts claiming exam cancellation in Digital Computer Education centres in Jammu, MM Public School Gurugram, and Bharti Vidya Niketan Public School, Delhi started to surface. However, there was no official confirmation from the commission.

The SSC regional director of the eastern region issued an official circular about the cancellation of the exam.

West Bengal – All shifts on September 12 scheduled in Mind Matrix, Kalaberia, Near Bishnupur Bazar Bus Stop, Kolkata, West Bengal has been cancelled, the official statement read.

Jharkhand - In another notice, the regional director confirmed exam cancellation in TISSA Technology, E/176, Main Road, Chirachas, Opposite State Bank Of India, Bokaro Steel City, Jharkhand.

A total of 66 candidates who missed the exam in first shift and exam of all candidates scheduled in second and third shifts stood cancelled and will be rescheduled to another date, it said.

Jammu - In a latest notification, the deputy director of the SSC northwestern region (NWR) said all shifts scheduled on September 13 in Digital Computer Education, Jammu cancelled due to technical reasons.

The SSC CGL exam 2025 of all candidates is now re-scheduled to be held from September 22 to 27.

Delhi-NCR - So far, reports suggest that CGL exams are cancelled for candidates allotted MM Public School Gurugram, and Bharti Vidya Niketan Public School, Delhi.

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Frustrated students demand justice

The protests against the SSC CGL paper leak, irregularities, mismanagement, and poor vendor, which started in the end of July intensified in the first week of August. SSC faced credibility questions and this year showed collective systematic failures across the country.

Around 28.14 lakh candidates are competing for 14,582 posts in SSC CGL recruitment exam. With the cancellation of exams in the first 48 hours and gap between SSC’s promises of transparency, fairness, and reliability, and the reality on the ground, has only widened.

Rakesh Yadav, mathematics teacher for the government competitive exam, posted: “When the tender process is run arbitrarily instead of transparently, the result will be exactly this. The irregularities happening in the SSC exam are a sign of a corrupt system. Why are contracts being given to companies that cannot be trusted, thereby playing with the future of students? Immediate action should be taken against such companies.”

Replying to him, another X user said: “Absolutely well said! When there is no in the system, chaos and arbitrariness will keep increasing everywhere. The future of students should not be ruined in the game of politics and corrupt contracting. The government should immediately take strict action against such companies and not spare the guilty.”