New Delhi: The preliminary exam of the Civil Services scheduled to be held on 30 May could be postponed, Union Minister of State Jitendra Singh indicated Friday.
In an interview to Doordarshan, Singh said, “We were getting queries from young aspirants about when the UPSC-IAS interview and preliminary exam would be conducted … Now it is natural that till the time the situation is such, nothing can be done.
“So, two days ago, the UPSC came up with a circular saying that whatever it is will happen after the lockdown … We will specify the date, and will give you sufficient time.”
Seeking to reassure young aspirants, Singh cited how the personality test or interview for the IAS (exam) had to be stopped when the lockdown happened. “In the same way, the preliminary exam which was to be held will have to be postponed, but that decision we will take after 3 May,” he added.
Over nine lakh candidates prepare for the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) Civil Services Exam, which selects officers for the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), India Police Service (IPS), Indian Foreign Service (IFS) and Indian Revenue Service (IRS) every year.
Approximately, 700-800 candidates get selected for the 20-plus civil services.
UPSC officials said that after the lockdown was extended to 3 May, the Commission decided to take a call on the exam once the lockdown is lifted. “We will examine the situation … We will keep the interests of all candidates in mind,” said an official.
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Aspirants remain anxious
ThePrint had earlier reported on how panic and anxiety had set in among UPSC aspirants given that less than two months are left for the preliminary examination.
Several started online petitions to urge the government to postpone the exam since the Covid-19 pandemic and subsequent lockdown had derailed their preparations.
One of the petitions on Change.org, filed before the lockdown was extended, says: “We, the aspirants, support our government and its efforts in tackling this pandemic. However, adequate attention must be paid to our issues as well.”
“Anxiety and stress is preventing us from performing at our best. We feel our health is at risk if we are made to write exams during this pandemic,” the petition adds.
Also read: After UPSC exam, IAS, IPS, IFS and other recruits could have to take one more online test