LAWS(DLH)-2013-5-442

DINANATH BATRA Vs. UNION OF INDIA

Decided On May 31, 2013
Dinanath Batra Appellant
V/S
UNION OF INDIA Respondents

JUDGEMENT

(1.) THIS petition under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, filed as a Public Interest Litigation, impugns the letter No.13018/4/2008-AIS­I dated 15.10.2010 of the Government of India, Department of Personnel & Training, Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions to the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) communicating the approval to the changes in the Preliminary Examination of the Civil Services Examination, from the year 2011 onwards. Though the changes effected by the said letter are manifold, the challenge is only to inclusion in one of the two papers (of 200 marks each) of the said Preliminary Examination (PE), nomenclature whereof stands changed to Civil Services Aptitude Test (CSAT), of a test of English Language Comprehension Skills (Class X level) worth 22.5 marks. It is the contention of the petitioners that the said test of English Language Comprehension Skills adversely affects the Hindi and other regional language speaking candidates taking the said exam.

(2.) NOTICE of the petition was issued. Counter affidavit has been filed by the respondent no.2 UPSC which has been adopted by the respondent no.1 Union of India as well. A rejoinder thereto has been filed by the petitioners. Mr. Chittranjan Kumar, Advocate, Mumbai was allowed to intervene in the matter and make his submissions/arguments. He has also filed his written submissions. The senior counsel for the petitioners and the counsel for the UPSC have been heard.

(3.) THE petitioners challenge the inclusion of the test of English Language Comprehension Skills in one of the two papers in the PE / CSAT on the following grounds:-