UPSC Prelims 2020: Supreme Court Dismisses Petition Seeking Deferment Of Exams; All You Need To Know

The Supreme Court has dismissed the petition seeking postponement of the UPSC Prelims exams. The plea was filed by 20 aspirants who felt the exams could be held once the Covid-19 situation becomes better.

(Image: PTI)

UPSC Civil Services 2020: UPSC Preliminary examination will be conducted as per schedule, on October 4th, 2020 as the Supreme Court has dismissed the petition filed by the 20 aspirants. The petition which was filed by 20 UPSC aspirant seeking the deferment of the examination was dismissed by the Supreme Court today. The apex court bench comprising Justices AM Khanwilkar, Krishna Murari, and BR Gavai heard the petition and directed UPSC to file an affidavit citing the logical reasons for not postponing the examination. This affidavit was filed on September 29th and the hearing was scheduled for today. The bench has, however, asked UPSC to consider and make special concessions for those aspirants who are on their last attempt. In the affidavit submitted by UPSC, they cited that postponing UPSC 2020, the exam of 2021 will be delayed as well. UPSC said that delay the declaration of the results of these examinations will thereby adversely affect the availability of manpower at critical posts of the Government. According to a Live Law report, the Affidavit also states that the Civil Services (Prelims) Examination for 2021, which is scheduled to be held on 27/06/2021, has been scheduled after taking into account all possible factors including the climate/weather conditions of the Country. The commission also claimed that all the preparatory actions have been made for the October exam and that the e-admit card has already been uploaded on the website. The commission further said it has incurred an expenditure of Rs. 50.39 Crores (approx.), which included committed liabilities of around Rs. 16.09 Crores in order to facilitate the logistical preparations for the conduct of examination and the postponement of the Examination would cause a huge loss to the public. The Supreme Court in its order said "Considering the fact that exams have been conducted in the recent past, it is a testimony to the fact that SOP is followed by MHA to conduct such exams. Lack of transport facilities across all centres has not been substantiated by the Petitioners,” according to a Times Now report. It also added “An extra attempt is sought for the ones who are taking the last attempt as they might not able to appear due to the pandemic. In this regard, we have impressed upon ASG Raju to explore the possibility of giving them one more attempt to such exams without extending the age limit.