Kozhikode: A total of 1764 candidates only were included in the shortlist released by the PSC for the post of Assistant Surgeon/Casualty Medical Officer. 

The job aspirants complained that the less number of selected candidates is owing to the cutoff increase and that the shortlisted candidates will not be sufficient to fill the vacancies reported for the post. Only 889 candidates are included in the main list. Last year, the main list had over 5000 candidates and the year before that had over 8000 candidates in the list, they added.

Unlike previous years, only a few candidates were listed under differently abled categories (DA category). A total of 11 candidates, including a deaf person, were included in the supplementary list. There is none in the main list from the DA category. Last year, there were 24 candidates from the category, they pointed out. 

They have also submitted a memorandum before the PSC chairman and secretary seeking to include more candidates who have been preparing for years for the posting and for whom it was the last chance to appear for the exam. 

The aspirants also alleged that several appointments were made on contract basis for the same post. Those DA candidates who had appeared for the exam in August last, and received a message to upload required details in February were also not included in the list released on April 3. They also demanded to rehash the list before releasing the rank list. Around 12,500 candidates had appeared for the exam held by the PSC for the post of Medical Officer in August, 2023.