UPSC MAY CONSIDER TO ALLOW ONE MORE ATTEMPT TO THE CANDIDATES

What has happened Really?

On 27th October 2020,  the Supreme Court had discarded the plea of 24 UPSC aspirants who were asking for an additional attempt in the civil service examination in the year 2021. Central Government has presented that the issue is already under consideration of the suitable authority. 

In short, one can interpret that, UPSC is considering the possibility of allowing one more attempt for the aspirants in 2021.

So, there is a chance.

Background

Earlier, in September 2020,  the Supreme Court had asked the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) to consider giving an extra attempt to those candidates for whom this year's exam was their last chance. This was said by the court after dismissing the petition filed by 20 odd students demanding postponement of the UPSC Civil Services Examination 2020 on the wake of COVID 19 Pandemic.

The petition stated that an additional attempt is valid because their preparation has been severely interrupted on account of CoVID-19 situation and also because next year they will become age-barred. However, the examination was conducted on 4th October 2020. This was not a good situation for those who had given their last attempt in 2020.

Why Did UPSC not postpone the Examination in 2020?

On 29th September 2020, an affidavit filed by UPSC in the Supreme Court read that, Union Public Service Commission (UPSC)—had already incurred expenses of over Rs 50 crore for conducting the Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2020 scheduled for October 4, and any further delay would result in a huge loss to the public exchequer.

The Commission, explaining why they were opposing the delay or postponement, said that October 4 was the “maximum extent” of delay, as any further delay would disturb the schedule of Civil Services (Main) Examination and a host of other recruitment tests lined up this year. Even the Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2021 fixed for June 27, 2021 would suffer if the October 4 date is shifted.

What has the Court Said Now?

The issue was looked after by a bench consisting of Justices AM Khanwilkar, Dinesh Maheshwari & Sanjiv Khanna. Additional Solicitor General of India Mr Aman Lekhi was present and expressed that the issue is getting looked at. The issue will be duly considered by a suitable authority when the Rules for CSE-2021 will be outlined next year.

In this context, the Supreme Court observed, "The issue raised in the present writ petition is in consideration of the appropriate authority and in light of the observations made by this Court in an order dated 30.09.2020 in Writ Petition(C) No. 1012 of 2020 [Vasi Reddy Govardhan Sai Prakash & Ors. V. UPSC & Ors.] needful is being done in the matter."

The Bench additionally granted freedom to the Petitioners to move toward the Hon'ble Court if the proposed verdict doesn't satisfy the goals of the Petitioners.

Supreme Court has clearly stated: "We leave it to the competent authorities to assuage the grievance of the petitioners, as brought before this Court in the present Writ Petition appropriately. If the proposed decision does not fulfil the aspirations of the petitioners, it will be open to them to challenge that part of the decision".

Conclusion

With UPSC 2021 just 7 months and 27 days away from now, aspirants should start their Preparation without any hesitation. For those, whose age is on the wrong side of the UPSC Prescribed Age limit, should also start preparing with a new belief. Chances are very high, that the UPSC 2021 will give you another opportunity to cherish your dream.

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