In the matter of an additional attempt in the UPSC Prelims 2021 review, the Supreme Court of India requested guidance and the Centre’s reaction. The bench has requested the respondents to get the directions ready by next Friday, answering the motion for adjournment.
In the UPSC Prelims 2021 assessment for Civil Services, the Supreme Court bench led by Justice AM Khanwilkar heard the plea requesting an extra opportunity. At the last meeting, the Attorney General representing the Union Public Service Committee requested more time and claimed that the matter was ‘fully handled’.
Sr. Adv. Mukul Rohatgi, appearing for the Petitioners, submitted that many candidates could not appear or were not able to prepare properly for the preliminary exams held in October 2020 due to the pandemic situation.
ASG SV Raju representing the government asked for adjournment till first week of February as the matter continues to be under active consideration. On the same the bench asked for quicker response.
“It shouldn’t happen that the last date of filling forms goes by. By next Friday, you should have the instructions. Start preparing, Mr. Rohatgi,” Bench pointed out.
For now, the case has been adjourned. UPSC Prelims 2021 Review enrollment, meanwhile, will begin on February 10, 2021. The plea requests an additional effort for candidates whose previous attempt took place in the year 2020. Petitioners also demanded that the number of attempts allowed or the upper age limit be relaxed. The decision will be taken after UPSC submissions had been made.
A applicant gets a limit of 6 attempts to participate in a UPSC Civil Services Prelims check as per the existing rules. Most candidates sought relief at the threshold in 2020. Some had argued that since they were employed as frontline COVID19 fighters, they were not prepared to train.
