Supreme Court Rejects Plea to Postpone CA Exams Amidst Lok Sabha Elections

Supreme Court Rejects Plea to Postpone CA Exams Amidst Lok Sabha Elections

The Supreme Court on Monday (April 29) dismissed a petition seeking postponement of the CA Exams conducted by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) in view of the Lok Sabha Elections.

The court observed that the Chartered Accountants examinations for Intermediate and Final levels are scheduled to be held on May 8 and May 14, while the elections are scheduled to be held on May 7 and May 13, 2024.

The court said that the examinations may be postponed for a day in a phased manner, as suggested by the petitioners, considering the hardship that may be faced by several students due to the polling.

Appearing for aggrieved CA aspirants/ students, Senior Advocate Madhavi Divan had submitted,

"There are students from Kalahandi and other rural areas who will not be able to appear for the exams on 8th and 14th May since elections are on. It can be on 7th and 13th May."

She added that the students are not insisting on any bulk postponement of the CA exams, and suggested that it would suffice if even an "opt-out" option was given to students who would find it difficult to attend the exams on May 8 and May 14.

"We are not asking for a bulk postponement. If there is a bunch of candidates from Rajouri . Now they can only come by public transport. With security issues, it is impossible to travel and public buses also withdrawn during elections. Hostels are also being asked to vacate. One we are asking postpone and if not possible then at least allow an out option so that one does not suffer if they are not appearing on May 8 and May 14," she said.

She also suggested that increasing the number of exam centres could help several students.

"Other option can be to increase centres. Delhi, Mumbai students will not suffer. But those coming from North East, etc. who need to travel states have to suffer. Petitioners are candidates who will not be affected but this plea is for the public interest," she said.

The bench comprising Chief Justice of India (CJI) D.Y. Chandrachud , Justice J.B. Pardiwala and Justice Manoj Misra considered the matter.

The court said that over 4.36 lakh students are scheduled to appear for the examination and postponing the dates would cause serious hardship. The court also said that a total of 591 exam centres have been arranged all over India.

The petitioners had contended that the students from interior areas would find it difficult to reach the examination centres the next day after exercising their franchise.