The Delhi High Court said that the selection of the IAS cannot be an arbitrary process. The bench has reprimanded the Union Public Service Commission for canceling the interview scheduled under the selection process. This decision of UPSC has been challenged on behalf of 20 non-state civil service officers of Rajasthan. The bench will next hear the matter on November 27.
Taking cognizance of this petition, a single bench of Justice Pratibha M Singh said that to complete the process of IAS selection, it has to follow the laid down norms, procedures, and discipline. The bench said that if the state or any institution fails to follow these norms then it can lead to misrule and misuse by vested interests.
The bench said that the cancellation of interviews in the present case should not be seen as a stand-alone event. This represents a deep flaw in the selection process, which should be fair and transparent.
The bench said that the court cannot close its eyes if the court finds out about any such activity that the selection mechanism is being progressively disrupted.
Senior advocate PS Patwalia, appearing for the petitioners, said that the UPSC had initially set the date for the interview on 31 December 2019, but given the number of candidates, the interview date was extended to 1 January 2020.
He said that when the candidates reached UPSC on December 31, the selection committee was not called there. After this, the interview scheduled on 1 January was also canceled due to the non-appointment of two members of the committee.
The 20 non-state civil service officers of Rajasthan whose petition has been filed are all interested in the appointment of the Rajasthan cadre to the Indian Administrative Service. Accepting the petition filed on their behalf, the bench rebuked UPSC