UPSC Aspirants Demand Postponement of Prelims 2025 in Letter to PM Modi Amid Border Tensions

The letter, penned by Navjot Singh, a former IB officer on May 13, 2025, highlighting the severe disruptions caused by Operation Sindoor amid escalating India-Pakistan tensions.

Students from the border regions of Jammu, Kashmir, Punjab, Rajasthan, and Gujarat have escalated their demand for the postponement of the UPSC Civil Services Prelims 2025, scheduled for May 25, through a letter addressed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Union Home Minister, and the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC).

The letter, penned by Navjot Singh, a former IB officer on May 13, 2025, highlighting the severe disruptions caused by Operation Sindoor amid escalating India-Pakistan tensions.

Titled “Prayer for the Postponement of UPSC Civil Services Prelims 2025 – Request from Students of Border Areas,” the letter details the dire circumstances faced by aspirants in conflict zones. It notes that many students have lost their homes and are grappling with “war clouds hovering over their night skies, with artillery bombardment, armed drones, and enemy missiles and that constant fear of death and uncertainty of life.”

The letter further states that educational institutions in border districts have been shut since the launch of Operation Sindoor on May 7, 2025, leaving students unable to prepare at a crucial stage. It appeals for fairness, urging the UPSC to revisit the exam date to ensure “fair and equal opportunity for all aspirants.”

The plea has triggered a massive online movement, with UPSC aspirants flooding X to voice their concerns. On May 13, @UPSCWarrior tweeted, “Living with drones overhead and no electricity—how are we supposed to revise? UPSC, show some empathy! #PostponeUPSCPrelims2025.” Another aspirant, @BorderDreamer, shared their struggle, writing, “My family had to evacuate our village in Rajouri last week. I couldn’t study for days. This isn’t a level playing field. @UPSC_India, please act! #HearBorderAspirants.” The hashtags #PostponeUPSCPrelims2025 and #HearBorderAspirants gained significant traction as students sought support.

Aspirant @AspireIAS expressed frustration, tweeting, “UPSC Prelims on May 25 is a dream for many, but a nightmare for border aspirants. Why is their struggle being ignored? #PostponeUPSCPrelims2025.” Echoing the letter’s call for fairness, @CivilServiceHope wrote, “Fairness isn’t just a word—it’s a promise. UPSC, don’t let border students down. #HearBorderAspirants.”

Operation Sindoor, initiated as a counter-terrorism measure following the Pahalgam terror attack, has heightened security along the Line of Control (LoC) and International Border (IB). The closure of schools and colleges in border districts, coupled with the relocation of residents to temporary shelters, has severely disrupted normal life, including exam preparations.

Despite the release of admit cards on May 13, as noted by users like @ankit__070 on X, the affected students argue that the situation remains deeply unfair. The letter by Navjot Singh also appeals to other high-ranking officials, including the Union Home Minister and the Lieutenant Governor of Jammu & Kashmir, to intervene and support the UPSC fraternity in ensuring justice for border aspirants.

As the exam date draws closer, the voices of these students grow louder, demanding a level playing field in one of India’s most competitive examinations. Whether the UPSC will respond to their plea remains uncertain, with aspirants urged to monitor upsc.gov.in for official updates.

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