In a landmark order supporting women’s rights and equitable access, the Karnataka High Court directed the KPSC to conduct Group A and B main exams in Kalaburagi, solely to accommodate a woman in her advanced stage of pregnancy.

The directive came from Justice Chillakur Sumalatha, who ruled in favour of petitioner Mahalaxmi, after she approached the court stating that she could not travel to Bengaluru or Dharwad—the designated exam centres—on medical advice due to her condition. Mahalaxmi had cleared the preliminary exam and was eligible for the mains, scheduled from April 15–19.

The Karnataka Public Service Commission (KPSC) had argued that conducting an exam in Kalaburagi just for one candidate would be a logistical burden, citing issues like surveillance, CC camera setup, and security. But the court strongly disagreed, asserting that constitutional rights under Articles 14, 15, and 16 were at stake, especially given the special protections envisioned for women under the Constitution.

Justice Sumalatha stated, “Our country spends crores on elections and bye-elections. Yet here, the state hesitates to spend for a deserving candidate. This is not acceptable.” The court emphasized that the right to livelihood, though not a fundamental right, flows from the right to life and cannot be ignored.

Highlighting the urgency and fairness of her plea, the court concluded that the state must take responsibility and facilitate her exam locally, reinforcing the principle of equal opportunity for all.