The government’s main contracting body, the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), has already incurred expenses of more than Rs 50 million to conduct the 2020 Civil Services (Preliminary) Exam scheduled for October 4, and any further delay would result in a great loss to the public treasury, reads an affidavit filed by the Commission in the Supreme Court on Tuesday.
The affidavit comes ahead of a crucial court hearing on a PIL submitted by 20 civil service applicants who want the exam postponed in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic and flooding in various parts of the country. Previously, the UPSC said it was “impossible” to postpone the exam any longer.
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“The Commission has incurred an expense of Rs 50.39 crore which includes committed liabilities of around Rs 16.09 crore in order to facilitate the logistical preparation for the examination and postponement of the examination would cause a great loss to the public treasury,” declared the affidavit. . Several reviews conducted by the Commission have already been postponed, but the 2020 Civil Service (Preliminary) Exam (CSP) was crucial to filling vacant positions in government services, the Commission stated.
The Commission, explaining why they opposed the delay, said that October 4 was the “maximum length” of the delay, as any further delay would disrupt the (main) civil service examination program and a number of other recruiting tests scheduled this year. .
“Any interruption at any stage has the potential to disrupt the entire (exam) cycle not just once, but will likely have a cascading effect down the road as well,” reads the affidavit filed by the Joint Secretary (Exam ) of UPSC, Raj Kumar. The affidavit noted that the Civil Services (Main) Exam, as well as the second stage of other hiring exams, including interviews, will take place this year. Even the 2021 Civil Services (Preliminary) Exam set for June 27, 2021, would suffer if the October 4 date is changed, the Commission added.
More than 1,058 million candidates have applied for the exam, of which 0.687 million candidates (almost 65%) downloaded the e-Admit card on Monday. The exam will take place at 2,569 locations in 72 test centers. All preparatory measures were taken and the exam material, time sheets, list of guards and proctors have already been sent to the respective exam sites, according to the affidavit. The Cabinet Secretary and the Secretary of the UPSC have instructed all Chief Secretaries to provide transportation for candidates on October 3 and 4 so that they can take the exam smoothly. Blockers have been installed at all exam centers, UPSC said.
CSP-2020 was scheduled for May 31. On June 5, the Commission announced October 4 as the new date for the exam, giving candidates an additional four months to prepare. According to UPSC, around 67,717 candidates have requested a change of exam location. But according to the Commission, based on data from previous years, only 50% of those who apply actually run. In 2019, out of 1,135 million who applied, 0.565 million appeared. In 2018, 1,041 million were applied, while only 0.493 million were presented to the test.
A bank headed by Judge AM Khanwilkar will consider UPSC’s affidavit and take a call on the exam. The Commission has already issued guidelines for Covid-19 and believes that candidates, age 21 and over, will be held accountable, take proper precautions, and avoid spreading the infection.
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