Server Crash Derails Himachal Police Promotion Exam, Thousands Left Waiting
What was meant to be a long-awaited step forward for thousands of Himachal Pradesh police personnel turned into a day of frustration and confusion. The B-1 promotional examination — a crucial test for constables aspiring to become head constables and assistant sub-inspectors — was abruptly cancelled on Sunday after widespread technical failures crippled the online system across the state.
Held after an eight-year gap, the exam drew 4,461 candidates to centres in every district — 2,696 in the morning and 1,765 in the evening. But within minutes of starting, reports of frozen screens, server crashes, and failed submissions began pouring in. Many candidates sat for hours, hoping for a fix that never came.
“It was chaos,” said one officer who waited nearly six hours without being able to submit his answers. “No one knew what was happening. We were just told to wait.”
The Himachal Pradesh Police Headquarters (PHQ) later confirmed the cancellation, citing server issues. They assured candidates that the exam would be rescheduled soon, once the technical problems are resolved.
The test was conducted by the Himachal Pradesh State Electronics Development Corporation Limited, with district superintendents overseeing operations. Originally planned for September 21, it had already been postponed due to heavy rains. PHQ had issued detailed instructions to ensure smooth conduct — but the execution fell short.
The fallout has sparked political backlash. Former Chief Minister and Leader of Opposition Jai Ram Thakur slammed the Congress-led government, accusing it of poor planning and negligence. “Thousands of police personnel were left in distress. Conducting such a large-scale exam without basic technical preparedness is unacceptable,” he said.
Thakur also alleged deeper flaws — from mismatched question papers to incorrect answer options and failure to connect centres to the main server. “This wasn’t just a glitch. It was a collapse,” he added.
As the dust settles, the PHQ is now under pressure to not only fix the technical issues but also restore confidence among the police force. A new exam date is expected soon — and this time, candidates will be hoping for a smoother ride.
