The preliminary examination of the civil services scheduled to be held on May 30, could be postponed, according to Union Minister of State Jitendra Singh.
In an interview to Doordarshan, Mr Singh said on Friday, “We were getting queries from 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 sufficient time,” Mr Singh said.

Seeking to reassure the aspirants, the Minister 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 examination which was to be held will have to be postponed, but the decision we will take after 3rd May,” he added.

Over nine lakh candidates prepare for the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) Civil Service 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.