Top authorities at the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), the apex government recruitment body in India have decided to consistently review the dates of all 2020 examinations from now on. This includes every event in the current calendar which stands uncertain amidst the Coronavirus pandemic in India. The Commission issued a press release dated April 15th, 2020, announcing the ongoing review of the dates of various examinations, interviews and personality tests that were scheduled to be conducted this year. Check the Press Release here.
Four months into the current calendar year and India has already entered the second phase of the nation-wide lockdown imposed to stop the spread of the Coronavirus pandemic. Earlier, the Commission responded proactively by postponing multiple examinations, which were originally scheduled to be conducted in April and May. However, now that the extension in the lockdown is official till May 03, 2020, the Commission has to review and reschedule the dates of all events which cannot be conducted without social gathering.
UPSC specifically mentioned that the fresh dates of the Personality Test of 2019, Civil Services can only be decided after the lockdown ends. Among other examinations, UPSC has already announced rescheduled dates of the deferred Civil Services 2020 (Prelim), Engineering Services (Main) and Geologist Services (Main) exams at the official website. These exams were already deferred till further orders by the Commission during the first phase lockdown that started on March 23, 2020.
The Commission also indicated that it is going to release the rescheduled dates of other postponed examinations including the Combined Medical Services 2020, Indian Economic Services 2020, Indian Statistical Service 2020 and the CAPF 2020 exam. Similarly, fresh dates of the NDA-I 2020 exam is also expected. All of these exams conducted by the UPSC are national level exams and were deferred due to the uncertainties arising from the first phase lockdown in India. The Commission also indicated that the decision on the NDA-II 2020 exam will be notified on the date of release of notification, which is June 10, 2020.
In other news, what comes as an applaudable decision from the authorities at UPSC is the voluntary sacrifice of 30% of the basic salary of the Chairman and Members of the Commission. The decision comes as a praiseworthy act of contribution to uplift the economy through conservation of financial resources. The national economy has evidently incurred severe losses as a result of the current situation in India. The members have decided to forego the amount for a period of one year effective from April 2020. Besides, members of the Commission have also pledged to donate one day’s salary to the PM Relief Fund/PM Cares Fund.
