Delhi High Court Today(on 8th April), dismisses petition seeking postponement of ICAI CA May Exams 2024, prompting students’ disappointment. Institute of Chartered Accountants urged to reconsider exam scheduling.
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NEW DELHI: The Delhi High Court Today(on 8th April), has rejected a petition to postpone the ICAI CA May Intermediate and Final Exams 2024. This decision by the court comes as disappointing news for CA students who have been persistently urging the Institute of Chartered Accountants (ICAI) to reconsider and reschedule the exam dates.
The plea to reschedule the exams was dismissed by Justice C Hari Shankar, who cited several reasons for rejecting the petition.
The Delhi High Court’s decision was based on the fact that the mere hardship faced by some candidates during the exams cannot justify derailing the entire exam schedule, especially when nearly 4.26 lakh aspirants are expected to appear. Justice Hari Shankar acknowledged that the ICAI has been proactive in ensuring that the right of the aspirants to cast their votes is not affected by the CA exams. Consequently, the court concluded that the petition lacked substance and was rejected.
The petitioners had argued that the exam schedule would clash with the Lok Sabha elections and hence requested that the exams be conducted after the votes are cast. They invoked Articles 14, 21, and 19(1)(g) of the Constitution, claiming that their rights were being violated.
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However, the ICAI countered this argument by stating that rescheduling the exams for the second week of June would create disarray and that careful measures had already been taken to avoid scheduling exams on the same dates as the polls.
The decision of the Delhi High Court to reject the plea for postponement has left many CA aspirants disappointed. These students were hoping for a rescheduling of the exam dates to alleviate the difficulties they would face due to the clash with the Lok Sabha elections. Despite their efforts and the invocation of constitutional rights, the court maintained that the overall integrity and organization of the exam schedule should take precedence.
The ICAI, as the governing body responsible for conducting the CA exams, has faced criticism and pressure from students in recent times. The clash with important events such as elections highlights the challenges of managing a large-scale examination process. While the court’s decision may be seen as a setback by some, it also emphasizes the importance of careful planning to accommodate various circumstances and ensure the smooth conduct of examinations.
The ICAI’s commitment to safeguarding the right to vote of CA aspirants is commendable. By taking proactive measures to avoid scheduling exams on election dates, the institute has demonstrated its dedication to upholding democratic values. The decision of the Delhi High Court reinforces the ICAI’s approach and acknowledges the efforts made to address the concerns raised by the petitioners.
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Furthermore CA students will need to adapt to the existing exam schedule and make appropriate arrangements to manage any challenges they might face. The rejection of the plea for postponement underscores the significance of timely and diligent preparation for the exams. Aspiring CAs must remain focused on their studies and maintain a positive mindset to perform to the best of their abilities.
CASE TITLE:
Harish Chandar T and Others v The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India
