UPSC conducts examinations for appointment to central government services
New Delhi:
No additional opportunity will be given to applicants to the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) who exhausted their last attempt in October 2020, the Supreme Court said today, dismissing a statement seeking another opportunity at the civil service exam. that he sighted the coronavirus pandemic and also wanted a relaxation in the age limit.
A three-judge court that heard the case said only one word – “dismissed” – and did not read the ruling any further.
The government had agreed to another exam opportunity for those whose last attempt was last year, but not the one-time relaxation of the age limit that the petition called for.
The petitioners wanted an additional opportunity saying that they could not prepare well for last year’s exam due to disruptions during the pandemic. They also wanted ageless candidates to have another chance.
The Supreme Court had brought the matter to the Center in a petition seeking an additional opportunity to appear in one of the most competitive exams in the country for government service.
Initially, the government was reluctant to allow those who exhausted their last chance in 2020 to sit for exams one last time. However, earlier this month, the Center agreed to the Supreme Court’s decision to check whether it was possible to give one more chance, if a candidate is within the age limit and is eligible to take the exam.
“We appreciate your position,” the Supreme Court had told the Center.
The higher court had then asked the Center to consider a one-time age exemption as a qualifying criterion for civil service applicants for whom the 2020 exam was the last attempt. It was noted that if age limits were relaxed, there would only be 2,236 additional candidates, who could benefit if they were given an additional opportunity.
The court also added that, if granted, it would be a one-time measure and could not set a precedent for future cases.
The Center disagreed with this and the high court dismissed all the petitions today, even dismissing the latest decision from a final examination attempt.
The civil service (preliminary) examination was scheduled for May 31 last year and was finally held on October 4, after the UPSC told the superior court that the exams could not be postponed any longer.
Each year stipulates six attempts for general candidates up to the age of 32. OBC candidates have nine attempts until age 35, while SC / ST candidates have unlimited attempts until age 37.
The UPSC conducts examinations for the appointment of central government services. Among other functions, it appoints promotion, delegation and absorption officials and also frames and modifies the hiring rules for the different government services and positions.
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