Prayagraj – Today, lakhs of candidates across Uttar Pradesh poured into examination centers for the much-anticipated UPPSC Review Officer (RO) and Assistant Review Officer (ARO) Preliminary Examination 2025. With 411 vacancies at stake and over 10 lakh aspirants competing, the state buzzed with energy as young hopefuls arrived early to take on the challenge. The Uttar Pradesh Public Service Commission (UPPSC) has ensured strict security measures to conduct the exam smoothly, learning from past incidents like the 2023 paper leak that led to the exam’s postponement. As candidates arrived at centers in cities like Prayagraj, Varanasi, and Bareilly, the atmosphere was a mix of nerves and determination.
A High-Stakes Day for Aspirants
The RO/ARO prelims, held in a single shift from 9:30 AM to 12:30 PM, is the first step in a rigorous selection process that includes mains and a typing test. The exam, conducted across 75 districts and over 20 cities, including Lucknow, Kanpur, and Ayodhya, saw 10,76,004 registered candidates vying for the coveted posts of Review Officer (334 vacancies) and Assistant Review Officer (77 vacancies).
Candidates began arriving at centers as early as 7:30 AM, clutching admit cards and valid IDs, as mandated by UPPSC guidelines. One aspirant shared, “I’ve been preparing for months. This is my second attempt after last year’s cancellation. The security is tight, but it feels fair.”
Preparation Strategies That Paid Off
For many, the road to today’s exam was long and grueling. The UPPSC RO/ARO syllabus, covering General Studies and General Hindi in the prelims, demands a strong grasp of history, geography, current affairs, and Hindi language skills. Aspirants have relied on a mix of strategies to prepare. Many turned to previous years’ question papers, recommended by coaching platforms like Testbook and Sanskriti IAS, to understand the exam’s format and difficulty.
Online platforms have played a big role in preparation. Coaching institutes like Utkarsh and Physics Wallah offered structured courses with mock tests and doubt-clearing sessions. A popular tip circulating among candidates was to prioritize time management, with experts advising to allocate specific hours for General Studies and General Hindi.
Challenges and Security Measures
The exam’s history added pressure this year. Initially scheduled for February 2024, the RO/ARO exam was canceled due to a paper leak, and earlier dates in December 2024 were postponed for administrative reasons. The new date, July 27, 2025, came with strict rules. Candidates were required to carry printed admit cards, downloaded from uppsc.up.nic.in since July 17, along with photo IDs. Electronic devices, calculators, and even bits of paper were banned, and OMR sheets had to be filled with black ballpoint pens to avoid errors.
What’s Next for Candidates?
As the prelims conclude, successful candidates will move to the mains, which include three descriptive papers: General Studies, General Hindi and Drafting, and Hindi Essay. Those who clear the mains will face a typing test. The final merit list, based on mains performance, will determine appointments. With admit cards already downloaded and centers buzzing, the focus now shifts to results, expected a few weeks after the exam, followed by the answer key release.
