Supreme Court declines to postpone Group-I Main exam

The bench, led by Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud, noted that students had already arrived at examination centers and felt that issuing an interim order at this stage would cause "substantial dislocation" in conducting the exam, which the bench was unwilling to do.

Hyderabad: The Supreme Court on Monday declined to intervene in a special leave petition seeking postponement of the Group – I Main examination commencing at 2 pm today.

Noting that students have already reached the examination centres, the bench headed by Chief Justice of India Justice DY Chandrachud was of the view that any interim order now would cause “substantial dislocation” in the conducting of the examination, which the bench
was disinclined to do.

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The petition filed by one Pogula Rambabu sought postponement of the Group – I Main examination citing GO 29, which was violating the constitution.

Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal , representing Rambabu, argued that the exam, which had not been held for 14 years, should be postponed due to concerns over unfair treatment of candidates.

“This is a Group-1 post. It may never be filled again,” Sibal said, emphasizing the stakes involved for candidates.

However, the Supreme Court bench, while acknowledging the concerns, noted that postponing a public service examination at such short notice would cause significant disruption.

“The special leave petition arises from an interlocutory order of the division bench of the High Court for the State of Telangana dated 16 October 2024. The High Court has pacifically clarified that any selection which is made in persons of the examination which is to be conducted by the Telangana State Public Service Commission for Group -1 services shall abide by the final outcome of the proceedings. The proceedings listed before the High Court on 20 November 2024. The court is apprised of the fact that the examination is due to commence today at 2 pm and students have already reported at the examination centres, we are now have to consider the view that any interim order in these proceedings would substantial dislocation in the conducting of the examination, which we are disinclined to do. The High Court has already clarified any selection made hereafter shall abide by the final outcome of the matter,” the bench said.

The CJI requested the Telangana High Court to hear the matter expeditiously before the exam results are declared, preferably by November 20, 2024, when the case is listed for hearing. The TGPSC issued Group – I notification for a total of 563 posts for which recruitment Main exams are commencing today with general English, a qualifying test. The Group – I aspirants supported by the BRS and BJP have staunchly opposed the examination citing multiple reasons.

The issue stemmed from the issuance of GO-29, which according to aspirants, was violating the constitution.

Earlier, the BRS government rolled out GO 55, giving a reservation policy, allowing candidates from SC, ST and BC categories to compete in both open and reserved categories based on the merit secured in the exam. However, after coming to power, the Congress government issued controversial GO 29, amending the rule of reservation and restricting the SC, ST and BC candidates to the reserved categories even if they scored high enough for the open category selection.

The Group – I aspirants have been demanding this GO 29 cancellation besides deferring the Group – I Main exams, implementation of reservation rules and sought clarity over standardized textbooks for competitive exams preparation.

Despite these concerns from students, the Telangana government has been firm on its decision to hold the examination. The State legal team informed the Supreme Court that matter was already pending in the High Court.