The Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering Exam, 2022 (GATE 2022) was set to be conducted by IIT Kharagpur on February 5, 6, 12, and 13, 2022 but due to the sudden spike in COVID-19 cases, candidates had filed a petition regarding postponement of GATE 2022 exam.
The Supreme Court hearing on the PIL filed by Advocate Pallav Mongia is today, February 3, 2022. The eminent bench that will look into the matter comprises of CJI NV Ramana, Justices AS Bopanna, Hima Kohli.
Will GATE 2022 be postponed?
The fate of the exam now lies in the hands of the eminent bench. The honorable Supreme Court of India is going to hear the plea filed against the conduction of the exam today amid mass outrage amongst the candidates to postpone the exam.
Based on the instructions released by IIT KGP two weeks ago, the organizers have insofar decided to conduct the GATE 2022 examination. Along with this, IIT KGP also released the admit cards. The institute has also released an instruction video and travel pass letter to ensure the exam is conducted smoothly.
With the start of the third wave and COVID-19 cases rising up to 3 lakh per day, candidates became concerned about their and their family’s safety and due to all these reasons, over 23 thousand students filed a petition. Over 9 lakh students across 200 exam centers are appearing for the test, making it a “virus spreading hub”.
Using the online platform of Twitter several candidates presented their views under the #GATE2022 and #postponeGATE2022. This led to many false rumors that IIT KGP has decided to postpone the test. IIT KGP however cleared its stance by saying that there will be no postponement or rescheduling of the test. This further aggravated the students and resulted in a mass protest.
Amidst the protest against conducting GATE 2022, famous YouTuber, Umesh Dhande sir, Pure Mathematical Guruji supported the student’s side and filed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) in the Supreme Court of India regarding the postponement of GATE 2022.
The litigant also said that the candidates have worked hard to prepare for GATE 2022. This long, incessant preparation is being disregarded if the exam is conducted under such tense circumstances. While the country has begun recovering from the third wave of COVID-19, it is still far too risky to conduct such an important test on a national level.
Based on this PIL and several petitions filed by candidates, the Supreme court finally agreed to list plea seeking postponement of the Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering Exam (GATE). This decision was made on February 2, 2022, under a bench consisting of Chief Justice of India (CJI) N. V. Ramana, Justices A. S. Bopanna, and Hima Kohli. The case was submitted by the lawyer, Pallav Mongia who is representing the candidates.
