Hyderabad: The much-anticipated Group-I mains exams for 563 government posts will be conducted from October 21 to 27, marking the first such examination since Telangana’s formation. A total of 31,383 candidates have qualified for the mains, with the last Group-I exams held back in 2011, under undivided Andhra Pradesh.  
The Telangana Public Service Commission (TGPSC) is organizing the exams at 46 centres across three districts—Hyderabad, Rangareddy, and Medchal-Malkajgiri—under tight security. For the first time, biometric attendance is being implemented to prevent malpractices.  
Paper Leaks, Protests, and Court Battles  
The Group-I exams have been marred by controversies during the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) regime. Due to paper leaks, the prelims were canceled twice, in 2022 and 2023. This time, candidates have staged protests against GO 29, alleging that it disadvantages SC, ST, and BC students through reservation provisions.  
A case concerning GO 29 is currently pending in the Supreme Court and is scheduled for a hearing on Monday. Meanwhile, the Telangana High Court declined to postpone the mains but ruled that the exam results would be subject to its final verdict, expected on November 20.  
Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy defended the government’s preparedness to conduct the exams, accusing opposition parties of inciting candidates to protest. He explained that GO 29, which replaced the previous GO 55, introduced a 1:50 ratio for mains qualification and dismissed claims that it was unfair. “The High Court’s refusal to stay the exams validates the government’s stance,” he said, urging candidates to focus on the exams.  
Opposition Criticism and Police Detentions  
TPCC president Bomma Mahesh Kumar Goud criticized BJP and BRS leaders for misleading candidates. He assured aspirants that no one would face injustice and encouraged them to appear for the exams.  
On Sunday, police detained several protesting candidates at Ashok Nagar, near La Excellence IAS Academy, as they tried to address the media. The protesters were taken into preventive custody and shifted to nearby police stations.  
Tight Security and Monitoring Measures  
To ensure a fair and smooth examination process, the TGPSC has implemented several security measures:  
- CCTV cameras have been installed at all 46 exam centres.  
- Vehicles transporting question papers are equipped with GPS tracking to monitor their movement.  
- The TGPSC head office will oversee the GPS tracking to ensure transparency.  
- Each exam centre will have one sub-inspector (SI), five constables, and one woman constable on duty to maintain security.  
Key Exam Details at a Glance  
- Dates: October 21 to 27, from 2 PM to 5 PM  
- Exam Centres: 8 in Hyderabad, 11 in Rangareddy, and 27 in Medchal-Malkajgiri  
- Last Group-I Exam: Held in 2011 in undivided Andhra Pradesh  
- Hall Tickets: 95% of candidates had downloaded their hall tickets by Sunday  
With the exams set to begin under strict supervision, all eyes are on the Supreme Court hearing and the final verdict from the Telangana High Court.