Authority: High Court of Uttarakhand at Nainital
Order Date: 17 June 2026
Case Overview
- Petitioner: Akash Kumar; Respondent: Uttarakhand Public Service Commission (UPSC).
- Petition (Writ Petition Service Single No. 1585 of 2026) challenged UPSC notification dated 26 Oct 2024 that altered the examination process for the post of Additional Private Secretary and ancillary posts.
- Original advertisement (18 July 2024) prescribed a two‑leg examination: first leg with five tests (Hindi Typing, English Typing, Computer Knowledge, Hindi Shorthand, English Shorthand) where marks were previously awarded; second leg with General Studies (objective, 100 marks, negative marking) and Essay & Writing Skills (descriptive, 100 marks).
- UPSC’s 26 Oct 2024 notification removed the marking scheme for the first leg, making those tests merely qualifying.
- Petitioner argued the change was illegal and caused prejudice; he had applied, qualified in the first leg under the new qualifying criteria, and awaited results of the second leg.
- Respondent contended the first leg had always been qualifying and the only change was the removal of marks, causing no prejudice.
Final Outcome
- The Court held that no prejudice was caused to the petitioner; the change merely altered the screening mechanism, which the petitioner had already satisfied.
- Consequently, the writ petition was dismissed in‑limine.
- All pending applications in the matter were disposed of.
Topics: Examination Procedure, Legal Challenge