UPSC IAS 2020: Students campaign on Twitter, #UPSCExtraAttempt trends

NEW DELHI: Several students have staged protest at Jantar Mantar demanding an extra attempt of UPSC IAS exam as they couldn’t appear for the last attempt due to the COVID-19 pandemic. They have also started campaigning on Twitter and gathered posts with hashtag #UPSCExtraAttempt.

The Union Public Service Commission announced the final UPSC IAS 2020 result on the official website -upsc.gov.in on September 24.

Students said that while state governments have given age relaxation, the Centre has denied. Therefore, they are asking the Prime Minister to consider giving the age barred and other students an extra attempt for the civil services exam.

A Twitter user said: “Inspite of serving people tirelessly in the wake of COVID these frontline workers are denied to their fundamental right to appear in UPSC exams.#UpscExtraAttempt”

Inspite of serving people tirelessly in the wake of COVID these frontline workers are denied to their fundamental right to appear in UPSC exams.#UpscExtraAttempt pic.twitter.com/TX22Jgz4KH

— Manish K Pandey (@ManishP95388752) October 13, 2021

A student on Twitter said: “Mam,I qualified prelims in row.But,this year before mains,family ws Covid +ve and wr quarantined for Week. Can anyone write 6 days,almost every day 6 hrs of rigorous writing,in this frame of mind? #UPSCExtraAttempt for all last attempter and agebarred is all we are asking.”

Mam,I qualified prelims in row.But,this year before mains,family ws Covid +ve and wr quarantined for Week.
Can anyone write 6 days,almost every day 6 hrs of rigorous writing,in this frame of mind?#UPSCExtraAttempt for all last attempter and agebarred is all we are asking. https://t.co/4KfGSz80nU

— JhaG_DS (@Bharata_Mithila) October 13, 2021

Another student said on Twitter: “Hon'ble SC has asked the government to take a lenient view but to date the government has not addressed the plight of the students. Covid ruined our last attempt. Please give us a compensatory attempt to fulfill our dream of becoming a civil servant. #UPSCExtraAttempt”

Hon'ble SC has asked the government to take a lenient view but to date the government has not addressed the plight of the students. Covid ruined our last attempt. Please give us a compensatory attempt to fulfill our dream of becoming a civil servant. #UPSCExtraAttempt pic.twitter.com/hSKS9GnNTg

— Tanmoy Chatterjee (@tanmoy_19) October 13, 2021

Another user said: “Most genuine demand. Such a calamity hasn't been witnessed ever in human history. The demand for a compensatory attempt is most genuine in this context. #UPSCExtraAttempt”

Most genuine demand. Such a calamity hasn't been witnessed ever in human history. The demand for a compensatory attempt is most genuine in this context. #UPSCExtraAttempt

— Shashank (@catchshashank) October 13, 2021

The civil services (preliminary) examination, 2020 was conducted on October 4 last year. As many as 10,40,060 candidates applied for the examination, out of whom 4,82,770 appeared in it, a statement issued by the UPSC said.

A total of 10,564 candidates qualified for appearance in the written (main) examination which was held in January, 2021. Of them, 2,053 candidates qualified for the personality test (interview), it said.