Wed Mar 19 12:30:00 UTC 2025: ## Last-Minute Cancellation of Railway Exam Sparks Outrage in Tamil Nadu
**Madurai, Tamil Nadu –** Hundreds of Tamil Nadu candidates preparing for the Railway Recruitment Board’s (RRB) Assistant Loco Pilot exam are furious after the second stage computer-based test (CBT) was abruptly cancelled on March 19th, 2025. The exam, crucial for securing the coveted position, was scheduled to take place in Telangana, hundreds of kilometers from the candidates’ homes.
The cancellation, attributed to “technical reasons” by the RRB, left candidates stranded and angered. Many had traveled over 1000 kilometers to reach their assigned exam centers, incurring significant travel and accommodation expenses, and taking time off from work. The lack of prior notice further fueled their frustration.
The issue had been brewing for weeks. Candidates protested the allocation of exam centers in Telangana, far from Tamil Nadu. Opposition leaders, including Edappadi Palaniswami and Madurai MP S. Venkatesan, had also intervened, demanding that centers be shifted closer to home. Despite these pleas, the RRB refused to change the locations.
Following the cancellation, Tamil Nadu Congress Committee President Selvap Perundhgai took to X (formerly Twitter) demanding an apology from Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw and compensation for the candidates. He highlighted the additional stress this placed on candidates, especially given recent exam paper leaks affecting millions of students.
MP S. Venkatesan echoed these sentiments, criticizing the RRB’s lack of foresight and preparedness. He emphasized the significant financial and emotional burden placed on candidates who traveled long distances only to have the exam cancelled without sufficient warning. He called for a thorough investigation into the technical issues and demanded compensation for all affected candidates. He also urged the RRB to ensure future exams are conducted in Tamil Nadu for Tamil Nadu candidates. The incident has raised serious questions about the RRB’s efficiency and its commitment to the welfare of candidates.
First Piper 