Srinagar, June 19 -- That's where things broke.

The payment gateway didn't crash dramatically. It simply froze. The page refused to load. There was no confirmation, no error message, just silence on the screen.

At first, they thought it was something small. A bad internet connection, or maybe a browser issue. They tried again. Then again. Still nothing.

All three of them were in different parts of Kashmir - Ganderbal, Kupwara, Anantnag - and all ran into the exact same issue, on the same day.

They sent emails to JKPSC's helpdesk. There was no response.

And so, with the deadline nearing, they did what no one should have to do in 2025: they packed bags, paid bus fares, and travelled to Srinagar.

They were forced to come to the capital...