Rare Order: SC Directs Manipur Government To Provide Financial Assistance Of 3K To UPSC Aspirants As Travel Expense

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The Supreme Court has directed the Manipur government to pay Rs 3,000 per day to civil services aspirants from violence-hit hill districts to travel outside the state for the UPSC Civil Services Examination. The bench led by Chief Justice D.Y. Chandrachud and Justices JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra addressing the concerns raised by civil service aspirants from the hill districts of Manipur. These candidates had chosen examination centers outside of Manipur due to safety concerns.

Rare Order: SC Directs Manipur Government to Provide Financial Assistance of 3K to UPSC as Travel Expense — Rare Order: SC Directs Manipur Government to Provide Financial Assistance of 3K to UPSC aspirants as Travel Expense

NEW DELHI: On Friday (17th May): In a rare order, the Supreme Court issued an order directing the Manipur Government to provide financial assistance to civil service aspirants from the violence-affected hill districts. The directive requires the Government to pay Rs 3,000 per day to these candidates to cover their travel expenses outside the state to appear in the upcoming UPSC Civil Services Examination on May 26.

A special hearing took place at 6:50 p.m., with a bench comprising Chief Justice D.Y. Chandrachud and Justices JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra addressing the concerns raised by civil service aspirants from the hill districts of Manipur. These candidates had chosen examination centers outside of Manipur due to safety concerns.

The Supreme Court’s order states,

“The persons who are presently residing in hill districts and applied for the UPSC examination shall be paid Rs 3,000 per day per candidate so as to enable such candidates to travel outside the state to attend the examination. Any candidate desirous of obtaining this benefit should indicate to the nodal officer where they are currently staying at the email address provided in this order.”

The plea for the transfer of examination centers outside Manipur was filed on behalf of 140 students. During the proceedings, it was revealed that the High court had previously instructed the state government to provide Rs 1,500 to those candidates who had chosen examination centers outside Manipur. However, considering the practicality and safety concerns, the Supreme Court increased the allowance to Rs 3,000 per day.

“The practicality of arranging transport for others aside, the allowance was raised from Rs. 1,500. We believe the quantum ordered by the High Court should be increased to Rs. 3,000,” stated the Chief Justice of India, concluding and disposing of the plea.

Previously, on March 29, the UPSC informed the Delhi High Court that candidates from the hill districts of Manipur who had selected Imphal as their examination center could change it. The state government was expected to facilitate their travel arrangements. Candidates were given the option to choose alternative examination centers in Aizawl, Mizoram; Kohima, Nagaland; Shillong, Meghalaya; Dispur, Assam; Jorhat, Assam; Kolkata, West Bengal; and Delhi by requesting a change of center between April 8 and 19 via email.

The decision to provide financial assistance was due to the Manipur Government’s inability to open examination centers in Churachandpur and Kangpokpi, as expressed by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC). The state has been experiencing violence since May 2023, following a high court order to consider including the non-tribal Meitei community on the Scheduled Tribes list. This decision sparked ethnic clashes, resulting in numerous casualties and injuries.