[Update] Extra attempt for UPSC, 2021 under consideration

While disposing of the plea, SC asked petitioners to take up the issue of extra attempt with the competent authorities.

Recently, SC disposed of another plea by UPSC candidates (Of 2020 exam) that sought an extra attempt in the UPSC examination in 2021 and asked the competent authorities to assuage the grievance of the petitioners.

In light of the Centre submitting in the Court that the issue is under consideration by the appropriate authority (DoPT), SC stated that the matter is under consideration and the issue will be duly considered by the appropriate authority at the time when the Rules for CSE-2021 will be framed next year.

Supreme Court also assured the petitioners, if the proposed decision does not fulfill the aspirations of the petitioners, it will be open to them to challenge that part of the decision.

The petition was filed by 24 UPSC aspirants in view of the COVID-19 pandemic and an intervention application was also filed by a group of 15 Applicants in support of the writ petition.

The petition stated that an extra attempt is pertinent because their preparation has been severely disrupted on account of the CoVID-19 situation and also because they will become age-barred next year.

SC also disposed of a similar previous petition filed in September 2020.  At that time, the SC bench had asked the petitioners to serve a copy of the petition to the counsel of the Union Public Service Commission.

Before Prelims 2020 examination, a large number of students had raised their voices against the UPSC’s decision to conduct the Civil Service Examination (Preliminary) on October 4.

The Preliminary stage of the civil service examination was conducted on Sunday 4th October 2020 and less than 50% of candidates appeared in the examination.

The result of Prelims 2020 has also been declared by UPSC last week.