Covid-19 affected UPSC aspirants seek an extra attempt from the government!

The UPSC aspirants who were affected by the Covid-19 pandemic sat in a protest demanding an extra attempt in the UPSC CSE 2023 exam. This happened after many aspirants failed to take the exam or didn’t qualify due to the fear of contracting the virus themselves and spreading it to others.

The protest started in December 2022, when a few UPSC aspirants gathered together to seek an extra attempt for the UPSC CSE 2023 exam. However, the protest was soon controlled by the police because the protestors set their tents in front of the media houses and refused to budge when asked.

Who are these protestors? The UPSC CSE 2020 exams were conducted amidst the second covid-19 wave and because of this many aspirants could not appear for the exam. So, such aspirants are the protestors sitting with a request to the government of giving them an extra attempt in the UPSC CSE 2023 examination and asking to relax the upper age limit for UPSC.

Covid-19 has incapacitated many students from reaching their dreams. Another example of this is- Three aspirants who cleared the UPSC prelims exam 2021 but after testing positive for COVID-19, could not take all papers of the main exam, and filed a plea in the Supreme Court seeking an extra attempt in the next exams. To this, the court said that they have considered the matter and have not found it feasible to change the current provisions.

Previously, the centre stated that they cannot make any change in the number of attempts or upper UPSC age limit as this would initiate mixed reactions among candidates appearing for other exams with similar demands.

Candidates were disappointed after the UPSC told the court that there was no such provision for conducting or allowing aspirants for another attempt in case the candidate ‘failed’ to take the test on the scheduled date be it any reason. This rule was called ‘unfair’ by the petitioners because the candidates were forced by COVID-19 not to appear in the exam and they did not do this intentionally.

During the covid-19 times, the UPSC aspirants were given an option to withdraw their application, due to any COVID-19 issues, before the prelims exam. However, some UPSC aspirants claim that there was discrimination against them during the withdrawal window time. If the candidates opted for withdrawal, their attempt would not be marked.

The claim stated that the UPSC withdrawal window was not open or was not the option for candidates appearing on their last attempt with UPSC upper age limit kept in mind for each category. Aspirants expressed the hardships they faced during COVID-19 and the pleas of many UPSC aspirants are still unanswered. This was the reason why they all gathered on the streets with the hope that the supreme authorities would reconsider the situation.

For your information, the UPSC CSE 2023 exam application will be available to the public from February 1, 2023. Eligible candidates can apply for the same till February 21, 2023. Moreover, the UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Exam 2023 will be held on May 28, 2023.

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