A massive influx of candidates poured into Lucknow on Friday night ahead of the Uttar Pradesh Subordinate Services Selection Commission (UPSSSC) Preliminary Eligibility Test (PET) 2025, creating heavy rush at railway stations and bus depots. Aspirants from different districts reached the state capital to board connecting trains bound for their exam centres.
Despite Northern Railway running special services and the local administration setting up rest facilities, many candidates said the arrangements were insufficient. At Charbagh railway station, a large pandal with mattresses was placed outside the premises by the municipal corporation. Still, several students were seen lying on the floor with bags as makeshift pillows, while others revised notes under their mobile flashlights.
Sachin Verma, who travelled from Ambedkar Nagar and is scheduled to appear for the exam in Bareilly, said the heat made the wait uncomfortable. “The pandal is there, but no fans have been provided. Spending the night here without ventilation is very tough,” he said. Manohar, an aspirant from Barabanki, also echoed similar concerns while waiting for a train to Kanpur. “There’s hardly any space to sit, the crowd is overwhelming,” he added.
Inside the station, long queues at ticket counters added to the chaos. Some aspirants missed their trains due to overcrowding. “Two trains left but they were so jam-packed that getting inside was nearly impossible,” said Rajendra Kumar Rawat.
Senior railway officials, including ADG (Railways) Prakash D, inspected Charbagh station on Saturday. They interacted with students and reviewed arrangements related to security, medical aid, water supply, and help desks. To handle the surge, the Railways also announced two additional unreserved “exam special” trains—one between Lucknow Junction and Kanpur Central, and another between Lucknow Junction and Varanasi.
