In a landmark ruling, the Delhi High Court has directed that candidates from the Economically Weaker Section (EWS) should receive a 5-year age relaxation in civil services examinations. The decision is aimed at ensuring fair and equal opportunities for EWS candidates, bringing their age relaxation criteria in line with those offered to other reserved categories such as SC, ST, and OBC.
The court's order came in response to petitions challenging the absence of age relaxation for EWS candidates, arguing that it placed them at a disadvantage compared to other reserved groups. The bench observed that the EWS category was introduced to promote social equity and provide better opportunities for economically disadvantaged sections. Therefore, denying them age relaxation was deemed inconsistent with the principle of equality.
With this ruling, EWS candidates aspiring to join civil services will now have an additional 5 years to appear for competitive exams, potentially increasing their chances of success. The court also emphasized the need for government agencies and recruitment bodies to update their guidelines to reflect this change at the earliest.
The judgment has been welcomed by social activists and educational experts who believe that this step will encourage more candidates from economically weaker backgrounds to pursue competitive exams. It is also seen as a progressive move towards enhancing inclusivity and diversity in the civil services workforce.
The government and relevant authorities are expected to issue formal notifications to implement the court's directive. This decision marks a significant step in ensuring that civil services remain accessible and inclusive for all sections of society.
