Issue:
The accessibility of test sites for tribal candidates from hill areas has been a contentious issue following the Manipur government’s decision to decline hosting the UPSC Civil Services test 2024 (UPSC CSE 2024) on security grounds.
Facts:
- The Manipur government informed the Delhi High Court that security concerns prevented the UPSC CSE from being held in 2024.
- In order to make it easier for indigenous applicants from Manipur’s hill areas to sit the examinations, a PIL petition was filed.
- According to the Chief Secretary of Manipur, there should be no UPSC centers in Manipur due to the state’s circumstances and the need to preserve the exam’s integrity.
- Similar concerns led to the allocation of centers outside the state for Manipuri students last year.
- The petition brought attention to the dearth of testing facilities in hilly areas, which forces applicants to spend a lot of money traveling to Imphal or neighboring states.
Arguments:
- According to the appeal, tribal applicants find it difficult to get to exam locations due to ethnic violence and a lack of infrastructure, which hinders their capacity to take the UPSC examinations.
- It argues that candidates from tribal areas who are economically disadvantaged are disproportionately affected by insufficient arrangements.
Reasoning of Judgment:
- While it makes sense, the Manipur government should also consider giving all candidates equal opportunities.
- Candidates are impeded in their capacity to take the exam by the absence of exam locations in hill districts, which exacerbates already-existing inequities.
- Ignoring these problems will result in structural disadvantages continuing, and tribal candidates’ dreams will be impeded.
Conclusion:
The Delhi High Court’s investigation into the matter emphasizes the necessity of a fair strategy to protect the integrity of the test while guaranteeing equal access for all applicants. It is imperative that the petition’s concerns be addressed in order to protect the rights and chances of tribal candidates from the hill areas of Manipur to compete in the UPSC CSE 2024. To lessen the difficulties these candidates are facing and preserve the values of equity and inclusion in the selection process, more thought and action are needed.
Written by: Nikita Shankar @nikitaashankar