Tens of thousands of Government job aspirants across the State were hit by unexpected chaos on Sunday afternoon after the Madhya Pradesh Employees Selection Board (MPESB) abruptly postponed a major recruitment examination across all its centres. The decision, triggered by a sudden technical failure, forced candidates out of examination halls before they could even begin their papers. The disruption targeted the second shift of the massive Combined Recruitment Examination 2026, which was being held for highly sought-after State Government positions including Forest Guard (Vanrakshak), Field Guard (Kshetrakshak), Jail Prahari, and Assistant Jail Superintendent. The paper was scheduled to run from 02:30 pm to 04:30 pm on June 7.

 

Rescheduled to June 20: According to an official information, the sudden postponement was an emergency measure taken strictly in the interest of the candidates after severe technical glitches paralysed the server systems across centres. To rectify the situation, the board has announced a fresh date for the affected candidates. The postponed second-shift exam will now be re-conducted on June 20. However, in a shift of timings, the rescheduled exam will take place during the morning window, running from 10 am to 12 noon. The board has clarified that fresh admit cards detailing the revised arrangements will be made available for download on its official website shortly. Aspirants vent fury over travel costs and mismanagement: Despite the board’s swift rescheduling notice, the cancellation has drawn severe ire and widespread criticism from candidates and student unions alike.

 

Thousands of young men and women had travelled hundreds of kilometres from remote villages and neighbouring districts to reach their designated urban exam centres. Many candidates voiced deep frustration over the financial and mental toll of the cancellation. Aspirants highlighted that they had dipped into hard-earned savings to pay for bus fares, trains, and overnight hotel stays in major hub cities, only to be turned away at the gates without appearing for the examination. For these struggling candidates, a rescheduled date means double the travel expenses and an agonising renewal of exam anxiety, sparking sharp public questions over the board’s technological preparedness for large-scale state exams.