New Delhi: The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) on Monday announced that the Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination – 2020, scheduled to be held on May 31, has been differed due to extended lockdown. A press release from the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions said that the Commission held a special meeting to review the situation after the second phase of the nation-wide lockdown due to Coronavirus (COVID-19). Taking notice of the extension of restrictions, the Commission decided that it will not be possible to resume examinations and interviews for the present.

The Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination, 2020, scheduled to be held on May 31, 2020, therefore stands deferred.

The commission further said that since this examination also serves as the screening test for the Indian Forest Service Examination, the schedule for the Indian Forest Service Examination is also deferred. The situation will be reviewed again on May 20, 2020, and fresh dates for these examinations shall be notified on the UPSC website in due course it added.

The Commission has already deferred the following examinations:
(a) Personality test for remaining candidates for the Civil Services Examination, 2019; 
(b) Notification for the Indian Economic Service/Indian Statistical Service Examination, 2020; 
(c) Notification for the Combined Medical Services Examination, 2020; 
(d) Notification for the Central Armed Police Forces Examination, 2020 and 
(e) NDA & Naval Academy Examination, 2020.

As and when dates are decided for the deferred tests or examinations, it will be ensured that candidates are given a notice of at least 30 days.