Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) is the body that conducts UPSC Civil Services Exam to recruit candidates for various administrative posts like IAS, IPS, IRS, IFS, IRTS etc. Lakhs of candidates appear in the toughest exam of the country to get the highest-ranked Government jobs of India. After Covid 19 pandemic, UPSC aspirants have been demanding Extra Attempts and age relaxation as many of the students faced various health, work pressure and family issues in 2019-20. This demand for the candidates has been trending on Twitter and other social media platforms under the #UPSCExtraAttempt. Check below to know all about the demands of the aspirants of Civil Services and other details.
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The Home Minister had assured to meet the candidates to hear their plea on December 1, 2021. It has been reported that some of the protestors have been sent under police detention on December 1. Take a look at the tweet below:
Why upsc aspirants detained after giving appointment for meeting with Home Minister #UPSCExtraAttempt pic.twitter.com/dRe7eQdXXM
— Yogita Bhayana योगिता भयाना (@yogitabhayana) December 1, 2021
छात्रों की एकता और न्यायिक चेष्टा को देखते हुए,गृहमंत्री अमित शाह जी की ओर से हमें 1 दिसबर बुधवार को सुबह 10 बजे मिलकर द्विपक्षीय वार्ता का आश्वासन दिया गया है !!
— Yogita Bhayana योगिता भयाना (@yogitabhayana) November 28, 2021
मुझे आशा है कि गृहमंत्री हमारी मांगों को सुनेंगे और छात्रों के साथ न्याय करेंगे !!#UPSCExtraAttempt pic.twitter.com/KNmYpBb6Kw
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What is #UPSCExtraAttempt?
In the past few days the candidates who wished to apply for the exam but could not due to the Corona Virus pandemic, COVID 19, have raised the demand for two Extra Attempts at the UPSC Civil Services Exam. They rallied outside the Home Minister Amit Shah’s office too. Take a look at the tweet below that shows many candidates and journalists standing, waiting for the Home Minister to address their problem.
#UPSC aspirants rally outside Home Minister @AmitShah’s residence demanding more attempts and age relaxation. @yogitabhayana too joins in raising students’ concerns. pic.twitter.com/L6snguPwcK
— Nidhi Taneja (@NidhiTanejaa) November 29, 2021
UPSC Aspirants Demand From The Government:
The candidates are demanding two extra attempts or two years of age relaxation from the Government. This is their only major demand.
The candidates were sitting for an indefinite strike at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi against the Governments decision, not to grant them an extra attempt.
Abhishek Anand Sinha who is the lead petitioner in the "Abhishek Anand versus Union of India case" said, "We filed a petition in the Supreme Court and demanded extra attempts as we are not fully prepared."
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The aspirants also have support from people from the political and Government fraternities.
A delegation of students met me, seeking support for their demand to be allowed a compensatory attempt for UPSC CSE 2020. Govt must show sensitivity in accordance with Hon’ble SC's direction asking for leniency. Their careers should not suffer due to #Covid_19#UPSCExtraAttempt pic.twitter.com/Nh8m9YhcLo
— Pawan Khera (@Pawankhera) September 10, 2021
The candidates also mentioned that many of them suffered from COVID 19 while the exam was due. It was not their fault that they fell sick so why should they not be given their dues.
The basic demand is of an extra attempt from the doctors as well. They worked day and night during that time and could not be well prepared for the exam which is why they demanded an extra attempt too.
Many candidates also complained of a digital divide during the exams as they did not have access to good internet services and could not thus take coaching classes they paid for from their hometowns.
UPSC Extra Attempt Crucial For Those With Last Chance:
Many candidates who are sitting on strike for an extra attempt had their last and final attempt for Civil Services in 2020. They could not attempt the same due to COVID 19 and complications while travelling. Many themselves fell into the grips of the virus or had a family member suffering from the same. Therefore they are demanding an extra attempt.
A protestor from Bihar said to the media while sitting on strike, "For the past five years, I have been preparing for UPSC examinations and the year 2020 was my last attempt. Just before the exam, my father passed away during COVID-19 and I was mentally not prepared. When the result was declared, I could not qualify. Therefore we demand the government to give us a chance."
UPSC Extra Attempt: Timeline of Events
The first petition was filed in September 2020 and the verdict was announced on October 26. Students were not granted an extra attempt then.
SC asks Centre to consider granting one more chance to UPSC aspirants who may not appear in their last attempt for exam due to pandemic
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) September 30, 2020
In the case, Vasireddy Govardhana Sai Prakash vs UPSC, the Supreme Court had asked the additional solicitor general from the side of the Ministry of Home Affairs, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, and Department of Personnel and Training to consider the possibility of one additional attempt to candidates who had their last chance in 2020, along with an extension in the age limit.
Not in favour of granting extra opportunity to UPSC civil service aspirants who missed exams in 2020 due to COVID-19, Centre tells SC
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) January 22, 2021
In March 2021 students again filed a petition and the Supreme Court expressed its concerns on the plight of the candidates and asked the Government to come up with a solution.
SC expressed displeasure over Centre's affidavit without specifying at whose level decision was taken for not granting one more opportunity to #UPSC aspirants who could not appear in last attempt in 2020 due to COVID-19 pandemic
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) January 28, 2021
Since then, there has been no proceeding on this issue and the Government has also not come forward to take it up. The candidates are now sitting on a protest waiting for the Home Minister's response.
