The Karnataka government has postponed the recruitment examination for Agricultural Officers (AOs) and Assistant Agricultural Officers (AAOs) following the protests by students.

The Karnataka government on Thursday (August 6) issued an order revoking the recruitment notification for 128 AO posts and 817 AAO posts. The order came after agriculture students intensified their protest against the inclusion of graduates from other courses in the eligibility criteria for the examination.

On August 4, Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar and Home Minister Priyank Kharge had met the protesting students at the University of Agricultural Sciences in Gandhi Krishi Vignana Kendra. The Chief Minister assured them that the matter would be looked into and an appropriate decision would be taken. However, the students continued their protest and sat at Freedom Park, opposing the examination.

On Friday, Mr. Kharge visited the Freedom Park. Later, taking to social media, Mr. Kharge announced that a special committee of experts would be constituted to submit its report on the AO and AAO exam within 15 days. Based on the report, the necessary changes to the cadre and recruitment rules would be made.

“The agricultural officers’ recruitment examination scheduled for August 8 and 9 has been temporarily postponed. After the committee submits its report and it is examined, a new examination date will be announced at the earliest,” he said.