Give EWS category 5-year age relaxation in civil services: HC

BHOPAL/JABALPUR: Madhya Pradesh HC, in an interim order, directed Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) to allow candidates from economically weaker sections (EWS) category to fill the form for Civil Services Exam with a five-year relaxation in maximum age limit, and permit them nine attempts as provided to candidates of other reserved classes.

The results of these candidates will, however, be subject to the court's final verdict, the bench of Chief Justice Suresh Kumar Kait and Justice Suresh Jain has said in its Feb 14 order.

The petitioner, Aditya Narayan Pandey from MP's Maihar town, has 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 are 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. Candidates from reserved classes, like SC/ST/OBC/physically disabled, get five years' relaxation in upper age limit and nine attempts.

The counsel for Centre and UPSC sought time to file objections to the petition, but HC 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 (Feb 14) 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. The next hearing is Tuesday.

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