ICAI to the Supreme Court: Cannot Conduct CA Exams Online

Supreme Court: Suspicion, However Strong, cannot take the place of Proof

Looking at the danger posed by the Covid-19 pandemic some CA aspirants suggested conducting the CA examinations online. The exams are to be held from November 21st to December 14th this year.

Earlier, a plea was filed in the Supreme Court alleging violation of Central Governments SOP guidelines for conducting the exams; of which one of the suggestions was holding the exams online.

Appearing for the ICAI, Senior Advocate Ramji Srinivasan submitted that the exams cannot be conducted online as the pattern of this exam is different, analytical ability of the candidate is tested and the answers are descriptive.

The petitioners had contended that transport facilities be also given to the aspirants to which the ICAI submitted that it may ask the MHA to issue e-admit cards to book hotels and accommodations.  Bench of Hon’ble Justices AM Khanwilkar, Dinesh Maheshwari and Sanjiv Khanna asked the ICAI to publish the guidelines and steps it has taken to with respect to Covid-19.

The bench told the petitioners to be reasonable and responsible in their demands and that their responses were not satisfactory.