The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has told India’s Supreme Court that candidates for the Public Service examination who exhausted all their attempts in 2020 would not be given another chance.
The UPSC had previously told the court that the possibility of an extra chance was under “active consideration”.
It has long placed limits on the number of attempts a candidate can have in the annual examination.
It is currently six attempts for General Category candidates with an upper age limit of 32 years.
Other Backward Castes (OBC) candidates have nine attempts until 35 years, while Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (SC/ST) candidates have until 37 years of age.
The court has been petitioned by candidates who had had their last chance in 2020.
The petitioners contended that many candidates had failed to appear for the examinations due to the disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Senior Advocate, Mukul Rohatgi, appearing for the petitioners, had earlier submitted that the court should direct the UPSC and the Federal Government to consider the grant of an extra chance as a result of the difficulties raised due to the pandemic.
The bench of Justices AM Khanwilkar, BR Gavai and Krishna Murari then asked the UPSC to state its stand taken on the affidavit and adjourned the case until this was forthcoming.
New Delhi, 24 January 2021
