No extra chance for UPSC aspirants: Centre tells Supreme Court

New Delhi: The Centre informed the Supreme Court on Friday that Union Public Services Commission (UPSC) aspirants, whose preparations for the October 4 preliminary examination were severely restricted due to the novel coronavirus pandemic, will not be given another chance or attempt for the civil services exams.

Additional Solicitor General S V Raju submitted to a bench headed by Justice A M Khanwilkar that he had received information late on January 21 about the government's unwillingness to give another opportunity to the aspirants.

The Court directed the ASG to put the submission on record in an affidavit.

The bench also comprising B R Gavai and Krishna Murai posted the matter for gearing on January 25.

In previous hearings, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta had been telling the court that a decision to grant another chance to UPSC aspirants was under active consideration of the Central government and the UPSC.

Several aspirants, who had appeared in the UPSC prelims on October 4, 2020, had filed a plea seeking a second attempt at the exams in the wake of difficulties suffered by them due to COVID-19 pandemic.

The petitioners said while everyone had a choice to save their attempt by leaving the exam in 2020, last attempters had no choice.

On December 18, 2020, the petitioners had argued for a second opportunity and age relaxation.

On October 26, the ASG, appearing on behalf of the Department of Personnel and Training, informed the Top Court that the government was considering giving last-chance candidates another attempt.

In September, the Apex Court had refused to postpone the October preliminary examinations but had recorded the government's assurance to take a decision on granting a second chance for “last-attempters”. (UNI)