BHOPAL/JABALPUR: Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) told Madhya Pradesh high court on Tuesday that there is no provision in DoPT guidelines to accord the same relaxation to economically weaker section (EWS) candidates as other reserved categories in the Civil Service Exam.
On Feb 14, HC had issued an interim order to UPSC to allow five years’ age relaxation and nine attempts to EWS candidates as is given to other reserved categories like SC, ST, OBC and physically disabled.
During the hearing on Tuesday, counsel for the petitioners argued that reservation provided to OBC candidates is on economic consideration as well, since those coming in the creamy layer don’t get benefit of quota. They are given age relaxation by 3 years while SC/ST candidates get 5 years’ relaxation in upper age limit.
The division bench comprising Chief Justice Suresh Kumar Kait and Justice Vivek Jain deferred hearing of the case to Feb 24 while directing all the parties to present their arguments in writing by then.
In the Feb 14 interim order, HC had directed UPSC to allow EWS candidates to fill the form for Civil Services Exam with 5-year relaxation in maximum age limit and also allow them 9 attempts, as provided to candidates of other reserved classes. The final results of these candidates will, however, be subject to the final verdict of the court, said the bench.
The petitioner, Aditya Narayan Pandey and 15 other UPSC aspirants, have questioned why EWS applicants don’t get the same benefits in age relaxation and number of attempts as other reserved classes.
UPSC has advertised 979 posts for Civil Services Exam 2025 and the prelims is on May 25. The petition argues that EWS candidates should have parity with candidates of other reserved classes and should not be clubbed with general category candidates in terms of eligibility criteria.
On Feb14, counsel for Union govt and UPSC sought time to file objections to the petition but the bench said: “Since the last date to fill up forms is approaching, we deem it appropriate to permit the petitioner to apply for the same. UPSC is directed to accept the application of the petitioner as well as all other similarly situated candidates for CSE-2025 without reference to the existing qualification or age, but subject to compliance of other conditions. The applications will be accepted on the aforesaid condition up to seven days from today and subject to further orders of this court.”
“However, appointment orders of such candidates… shall not be issued without leave of this court,” HC said.
