"Students appearing in CA exams should not ask for concessions", Supreme Court observes; ICAI says isolation rooms at exam centres not possible

While disposing of the plea seeking safety precautions for students appearing in Chartered Accountant exams (CA exams), the Supreme Court observed that "students appearing in professional exams should not ask for concessions.".The Bench of Justices AM Khanwilkar, Dinesh Maheshwari and Sanjiv Khanna disposed of the matter today..The Institute of Charted Accountants of India (ICAI) submitted before the Court that it had a discussion with the counsel of the petitioner. ICAI stated that the institute will not be able to provide for isolation rooms at test centres, as the CA exams were different from the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET)..Appearing for ICAI, Senior Advocate Ramji Srinivasan submitted,"We are strictly in accordance with MHA guidelines. They needed isolation rooms, but we can't put to risk 5 lakh students by having such rooms as this exam is for 18 days. We can't risk with COVID patients coming in.".Srinivasan also apprised the Court that transportation and lodging facilities will not be provided, as it is an 18-day long exam. He further said,"We cannot allow online exams with descriptive answers for three hours. This is not a tick mark exam.".Addressing the petitioners, the Court said,."How can this be allowed? Just because courts are allowing this, you cannot keep on asking what you want. Be reasonable in your demands."Supreme Court.The Court then said to Advocate Bansuri Swaraj, appearing for petitioners, that it was not "impressed by their submissions.""We are not impressed by your submissions. You are saying students' hand will perspire while writing exams, such things will happen if you want to excel in the exams.".ICAI has now been directed to publish a press release on its website answering all the grievances of the petitioner in detail so that the students are aware of all the facilities being provided for the CA exams..During an earlier hearing, ICAI had submitted that a note has been circulated briefly answering all the points raised by the petitioners.However, counsel for the petitioner contended that "some issues still remain" and that they have filed a reply in response to the ICAI note..[CA Exams] "No question of law, only logistics": Supreme Court asks petitioners to sort out differences with ICAI counsel.The CA exams for this round are scheduled to begin on November 21.The petitioners have claimed that with the exams scheduled to begin in less than a month, ICAI has not taken adequate steps in line with health guidelines issued amid the COVID-19 pandemic..Earlier, a PIL had been moved before the Supreme Court assailing ICAI's notification of an 'opt out' option for CA aspirants. The present plea says that the concerned authorities have not taken steps for ensuring the health concerns of the stakeholders.The plea states that a significantly higher number of candidates are expected to take the exam this round, on account of the May cycle of exams standing cancelled. This fact, along with the cap of 100 persons for congregations imposed by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs, gives rise to the concerns of the petitioners..Supreme Court to hear on November 2 plea seeking guidelines for holding CA exams.ICAI had refused to acknowledge the cap imposed on large gatherings when a query on this issue was raised by a stakeholder, the plea states.The plea called for uniform safety guidelines to be put in place across the country, and prays that all candidates taking the exam be provided with equal facilities.