UPSC: Can Former Aspirants, Coaching Faculty Act As Scribes? Delhi HC Seeks Reply On PIL | Education and Career News
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According to the petition, the guidelines permit candidates to engage their own scribes, provided the scribe is one educational level below the candidate.
The matter is next scheduled for hearing on September 16. (File Photo)
The Delhi High Court has sought responses from the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) and the Central Government on a public interest litigation (PIL) raising concerns over the alleged misuse of “scribe services” in UPSC examinations by persons with disabilities.
The matter was heard by a Bench comprising Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya and Justice Tejas Karia.
Appearing virtually for the petitioner, advocate Rahul Bajaj argued that the UPSC’s existing eligibility criteria for scribes create an unfair advantage. He submitted that the qualification of a scribe should not exceed the minimum educational qualification prescribed for the candidate, which in the case of the Civil Services Examination is graduation, reported Bar and Bench.
During the hearing, the Bench questioned the maintainability of the PIL, observing that an affected candidate could individually approach the Court. In response, Bajaj contended that the issue results in an unequal playing field for candidates with disabilities. The Court thereafter issued notice to the respondents.
The PIL has been filed by Deepstambh Foundation, an organisation that provides coaching and support to UPSC aspirants with disabilities.
According to the petition, the guidelines permit candidates availing disability-related accommodations to engage their own scribes, provided the scribe is one educational level below the candidate. However, the petition alleges that this framework contains a significant loophole, enabling highly experienced individuals within the UPSC ecosystem—including faculty members and teachers associated with prominent UPSC coaching institutes in Delhi—to serve as graduate-level scribes.
The petitioner contends that the increasing use of such experienced scribes compromises the fairness and integrity of the examination process.
The PIL seeks a direction prohibiting individuals who have previously appeared in UPSC examinations from acting as scribes. It has also asked for a direction barring persons affiliated with UPSC coaching institutes from serving as scribes.
The High Court has issued notices to the UPSC, the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT), and the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities, seeking their responses.
The matter is next scheduled for hearing on September 16.
The Delhi High Court is reviewing a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) concerning the use of scribes by UPSC aspirants with disabilities. The PIL, filed by the Deepstambh Foundation, alleges a loophole in guidelines that allow candidates to use scribes one educational level below them.
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