Applicants for the UPSC civil services examinations have congregated once more to express their desire for more test opportunities. According to the students, the COVID epidemic has made it impossible for them to study and prepare. Numerous students who have missed the UPSC CSE test for the previous two years are also requesting an age reduction for the UPSC exam, claiming that the Covid-19 wave in India has cost them two vital years.
UPSC hopefuls gathered in Old Rajinder Nagar, New Delhi, yesterday to press for additional trials and age restriction relaxation.

They are alleging that the first and second wave of the pandemic has disturbed their preparation as they were battling against the pandemic in one or another way. Frontline worriers including doctors were unable to focus on their studies as they were facing the stress of work during the pandemic.

During the second wave of the pandemic, many were moving from pillar to post due to the scarcity of oxygen cylinders. It has also impacted the studies of the aspirants whose family members had contracted the virus.

Many people are taking to Twitter to express their support for more efforts. Moreover, #UPSCExtraAttempt2023 is trending on Twitter.

On Twitter, many are sharing their views in support of extra attempts. The official handle of the National Students’ Union of India also shared a video of the protest and wrote, ‘UPSC aspirants have gathered at ORN Delhi to put their demands of extra attempt. It’s been more than 2 years these candidates are struggling and this injustice with them continues’.

The National Students' Union of India's official Twitter account also uploaded a video of the demonstration, stating “UPSC aspirants have assembled at ORN Delhi to submit their requests for additional attempts. “ These candidates have been battling for more than two years, and their mistreatment continues”.

Earlier stand of government on UPSC extra attempts, age limit relaxation

Before the outbreak of the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, the central government had told the Supreme Court that it is agreeable to give an extra chance as a one-time relaxation to UPSC civil service aspirants, who had appeared in their last attempt in the 2020 exam amid the COVID-19 pandemic and are otherwise not age-barred.

In a note filed in the apex court, the Centre said that no relaxation shall be granted for CSE-2021 to those candidates who have not exhausted their permissible number of attempts or to those who are otherwise age-barred from appearing in CSE-2021 as per the prescribed age limits of different categories, or to any other candidate for any other reason whatsoever.

Along with their formal notice, the Union Public Service Commission will also publish a list of all the locations where the UPSC 2023 examinations will be held. The preliminary examination for the UPSC Civil Services is scheduled to take place on May 28th, 2023.
 

Courtesy: Economic times and siasat.