Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has already postponed NDA and CMS. The examination for National Defence Academy (NDA) and Naval Academy (NA) (I) was due to be held on April 19, 2020, but has been postponed due to COVID-19 outbreak .The exam date for CMS is in the month of July, however, UPSC has delayed the release of the notification. Now all the eyes set on Civil Services prelims exam which is scheduled on May 31, 2020.
Until now, UPSC has not released any notice for delaying IAS examination and the schedule is intact. However, if the lockdown continues and the number of corona virus cases are not decreased by mid May then there is a high possibility that UPSC might postpone the exam.
The circular for delaying release of notice and application form for Combined Medical Services (CMS) 2020 released on the same date on which it was expected release. However, the news for postponing of NDA I exam was revealed 18 days before the exam date.
Hence, it is expected that the commission will made announcement of IAS postponement at least 15-20 days before the exam. It will be made via a notice, which will be uploaded online, on upsc.gov.in.
Another speculation is that UPSC might be waiting for the lockdown to end on April 14, 2020. On analyzing the post lockdown COVID-19 situation, the commission will get clarity on when to conduct the exam.
High possibility that UPSC might postpone IAS Prelims
States have been appealing to the Centre for extending the 21 days lockdown, that started on March 21, 2020. As per a report published on April 08, 2020, by a prestigious newspaper, the Centre is consulting opposition party and state government on the same.
Report also cited that Punjab Chief Minister Capt. Amarinder Singh and Telangana Chief Minister K. Chandrashekhara Rao have requested the center to increase the duration of the lockdown.
If the plea of the state and experts is implemented by the center the lockdown in India might be extended, which in turn will definitely lead to the postponement of the IAS prelims 2020 exam.
The states have pleaded to increase the lockdown period keeping in mind the increasing cases of COVID-19 in the nation. The curve is growing day by day. There is an uncertainty in situation unless the COVID-19 curve in India starts to flatten.
UPSC conducts civil services examination to fill A level post. This year,a total number of vacancies to be filled through the UPSC IAS examination is expected to be approximately 796 which include 24 vacancies reserved for Persons with Benchmark Disability category.
