Bhubaneswar: Candidates appearing for Odisha Civil Services (OCS) Main Examination 2025 have sought postponement of remaining papers beyond Nov 7, questioning the practicality of the revised schedule announced by Odisha Public Service Commission (OPSC) amid the threat of the cyclonic storm and the forecast of heavy rainfall in southern Odisha.The commission, in a notification issued on Monday, rescheduled the Odia and English language papers from Oct 29 to Oct 31.The Odia paper will be held from 9 am to noon and the English paper from 2 pm to 5 pm. The essay paper, originally scheduled for Oct 30, has been shifted to the morning session on Nov 5.The general studies papers I and II on Nov 2, papers III and IV on Nov 4, and both optional subject papers on Nov 7 will, however, be held as scheduled.Candidates, particularly those from southern Odisha, said the revised dates could create difficulties in travelling to exam centres and appearing for the tests if heavy rain disrupts transport and other essential services. They have urged the commission to defer the remaining papers until weather conditions improve.The exam is being held at 31 centres across six zonal locations — Balasore, Berhampur, Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, Jeypore and Sambalpur. Candidates pointed out that Berhampur in Ganjam district and Jeypore in Koraput district, two of the examination locations, fall in areas facing the threat of severe weather.Several aspirants took to social media platform X on Tuesday to flag their concerns with the chief minister’s office and OPSC, describing the revised schedule as impractical.“The state govt declared holidays till Oct 31 due to cyclone, yet OPSC schedules OCS Mains on the same day. Aspirants’ safety has to be also taken into consideration,” said Dusmanta Mangaraj, an aspirant.Candidates also cited the India Meteorological Department’s red warning for Ganjam, Gajapati, Rayagada, Koraput and Malkangiri districts. They said candidates travelling from these areas could face difficulties reaching their exam centres if heavy rain disrupts road connectivity.“There are also many govt employees who would write the exam. The state govt has cancelled all leaves till Oct 31 for the cyclone. How would these candidates fulfil their official duties and exercise their right to appear for the examination on Oct 31? We are just demanding a fair and practical schedule,” said another candidate, Sameer Kumar Pradhan.The commission officials said the changes were made in view of the impending landfall and the heavy rainfall expected in some parts of Odisha, with candidates’ safety being a key consideration.