SC declines to postpone UPSC preliminary exam scheduled for Oct 4

New Delhi: The Supreme Court (SC) on Wednesday declined to postpone the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination scheduled for October 4.
A Bench headed by Justice AM Khanwilkar asked the Centre to consider granting one more chance to those aspirants who may not appear in their last attempt for the exam due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Bench while refusing to postpone the exam also declined to consider the request to club UPSC civil services exam of 2020 with 2021 exams and said that “this will have a cascading effect on other examinations.” “It was suggested that merging of 2020 prelims and 2021 prelims be done.
We are not impressed by this. Resorting to this will lead to a cascading effect on other exams as stated in the affidavit of UPSC. UPSC should make available all facilities and follow all protocols,” the apex court said.
The top court said UPSC should ensure all COVID-19 protocols are followed. It further said that UPSC has to ensure conformity of their guidelines with that of the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) especially to see more than 100 candidates are not allowed in one centre.
The Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) issued by UPSC if found not in conformity, then supplementary SOP should be issued, the Bench added.