UPSC: Four Reasons given by Centre to deny extra chance to Civil Service aspirants who have exhausted their attempts

Department of Personnel and Training, Government of India has informed the Supreme Court that that candidates who have exhausted all their attempts at the Civil Service examination on October 2020 will not be given an extra chance..In an affidavit submitted by Additional Solicitor General SV Raju, the Central government pointed out that it had already once postponed the Prelims exam from May, 2020 to October 4, 2020 last year owing to COVID-19.The following reasons were given by the government for denying an extra attempt for those students who have exhausted all their earlier chances:.1. "Curious" that the present petition was filed in the Supreme Court only after results of the UPSC prelims was declared."Petitioners, who participated in the examination with open eyes, only approached this Hon’ble Court after the results of the examination was declared," reads the affidavit while maintaining that all COVID-19 safety protocols were maintained during conduct of the October 4 exam," the affidavit said. .2. Centre even gave an option to the candidates to change their exam Centre..3. In October 2020, the 5th Phase of Unlock was in effect, resulting in removal of most of the restrictions with respect to movement of public. Thus, it it is no ground that petitioners could not have appeared due to COVID-19 restrictions..4. Giving an additional attempt or relaxation in age for some candidates would amount to extending differential treatment to similarly placed candidates at the examination."It may be noted that providing an extra attempt could further have a cascading effect by creating a ground for challenge on part of those candidates who have already appeared for the CS (Preliminary) Examination-2020. It is submitted that other non-final attempt candidates, who undertook the examination this year without any murmur of discontent, would disadvantageously placed in future examinations," said DoPT..Several candidates, including frontline workers and those engaged in essential services, had approached the Supreme Court demanding an extra attempt at Civil service exam in view of the extraordinary situation prevailing in the country due to Covid-19. They stated that Covid duties, serious economic and emotional stress due to the pandemic, and poor internet connectivity in far-flung areas were all factors that added up to deprive them of preparing better for the examination..General category candidates are allowed six attempts till the age of 32 while for OBC candidates, there is relaxation upto nine attempts till they attain 35 years of age. Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe (SC/ST) candidates get unlimited attempts till the age of 37.."During this pandemic, while everyone had a choice to save their attempt by leaving the exam in 2020, while taking care of their health, the chance candidates were given no choice at all and had to sit for the exam, despite the lack of opportunity to prepare,” said the petition filed by advocate Anushree Kapadia..The Supreme Court asked the Centre not to notify the 2021 year rules till the court is seized of the matter..The Court has now allowed the petitioners to file their rejoinder by January 27 and the matter would be taken up on January 28.