No extra chance will be given to Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) aspirants who exhausted their last attempt in October 2020, the Supreme Court said today, dismissing a plea that sought another shot at the civil service examination sighting the coronavirus pandemic and also wanted a relaxation on the age limit.
The top court called the petitioner's reasoning that the pandemic had disrupted studies a "lame excuse" to get more chances to appear for the highly competitive examination.
"The petitioner's claim on COVID-19 pandemic is nothing but a lame excuse in taking additional attempt to participate in the exam," the court said in its detailed verdict.
A three-judge bench hearing the case had said only one word - "dismissed" - and did not read the judgment further.
The top court's verdict said that it is a policy decision of the government and judiciary cannot legislate.
"Many exams have been conducted during COVID and if Supreme Court shows indulgence to few it will set a precedent which will have cascading effect on examinations in other streams," the verdict read.
The government had agreed to another chance at the examination for those whose final attempt was last year but not the one-time relaxation on the age limit that the petition asked for.
The petitioners wanted an extra chance saying they could not prepare well for last year's exam due to disruptions during the pandemic. They also wanted age barred candidates to be given another chance.
The Supreme Court had taken the matter up with the Centre on a petition seeking an extra chance to appear in one of the most competitive exams in the country for government service.
