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While hearing a plea challenging a Central government notification excluding persons with disability from the IPS, the Indian Railways Protection Force Service (IRPFS) and the Delhi, Daman and Diu, Dadra and Nagar Haveli, Andaman and Nicobar Islands and Lakshadweep Police Service (DANIPS), the Supreme Court has granted week to candidates who have passed civil services exam to fill out form giving their preference.

The Court was informed that the deadline to fill out the form had ended yesterday.

Senior Advocate Arvind Datar appearing for the petitioner, National Platform for the Rights of the Disabled, thus requested the Court to extend the deadline for two weeks.

Datar further submitted that the Supreme Court has also delivered a judgment saying that guidelines have to be laid down defining nature of work for IPS, Delhi Police and revenue protection cadres.

The bench was further told that since the forms were submitted online, the PwD candidates would have to submit their forms physically.

A bench of Justices AM Khanwilkar and Abhay S Oka thus asked AG KK Venugopal if this was possible.

To this AG Venugopal said that these candidates could be allowed to submit the form in a separate cover.

Accordingly, the Court directed the Secretary General, UPSC to accept hard copies of application of concerned candidates as petitioners and similarly placed persons on or before April 1. 

The bench clarified that this would not affect other appointments.

"No applications will be accepted beyond 1st April, 4 pm. These proceedings will in no way interject the ongoing proceedings.", said the Court.

AG Venugopal further said that the government would need some time to file counter affidavit in the matter.

The matter will not be taken up on April 18.

Case Title: National Platform for the Rights of the Disabled vs. Union of India