At today’s hearing, the Supreme Court ordered the Centre not to release any new rules on the extra attempt question of UPSC Prelims 2021 before the next hearing date on January 28, 2021. The Centre has told the Supreme Court that nothing will be released until February. On January 27, the petitioners are permitted to file a rejoinder on the matter.
The Supreme Court’s bench was headed by Justice AM Khanwilkar to hear the plea seeking additional reform for candidates who exhausted their last attempt in October 2020. On 22 January, the central government told the Supreme Court that an additional opportunity would not be granted to candidates who have exhausted all their attempts at the Civil Service test.
Additional Solicitor General S V Raju, who was appearing for the Department of Personnel and Training, made submissions (DoPT). “We are not ready to give one more chance. Give me the time to file an affidavit… last night I received instruction that we are not agreeable,” Raju told the bench headed by Justice A M Khanwilkar, consisting of Justices B R Gavai and Krishna Murai.
On October 4, 2020, the UPSC Civil Services Exam 2020 prelims were held. The key analysis was also performed between January 8 and January 17, 2021. A new 2021 review notification is scheduled to be released on 10 February 2021, and a decision on an additional attempt is expected prior to the issuance of the notice.
