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The Centre told the Supreme Court that it is against granting one-time age relaxation to UPSC CSE aspirants including the candidates who had consumed their last attempt in CSE 2020 Exam amidst the COVID situation and would be granted one more opportunity in CSE 2021 provided they are not age barred, as it would be a discriminatory step against other candidates.

The bench headed by Justice A M Khanwilkar has reserved its verdict on a plea which was seeking an extra chance in UPSC CS Examination for the candidates who could not appear in their last attempt in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Appearing for the Centre, Additional Solicitor General S V Raju said that initially the government was not inclined to acknowledge the extra chance and it was later settled on the recommendation of the bench. Raju further added, "This is not the exam where you prepare at the last minute. people prepare for years together. My first offer remains".

On Feb 05, the apex court had been informed by the Centre that it was agreeable to grant an extra chance as a one-time relaxation to the aspirants, who had shown up for their last attempt in the 2020 exam and are otherwise not age-barred. It, however, had mentioned that for 2021 Exam no age relaxation shall be granted to the candidates who have not exhausted their attempts or who are otherwise age-barred as per the prescribed age limit of different categories to any other candidate for any reason whatsoever.

On Monday, the petitioners' counsel had argued that there should be one time age relaxation for the aspirants.