After taking a review of the situation prevailing due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has decided to conduct the Civil Services Main Exam 2021 as per the schedule on January 7, 8, 9, 15 and 16.
As several states have clamped restrictions on movement to contain the virus, the Commission has urged states to ensure that ‘no inconvenience is caused to the candidates/ examination functionaries in their movement, especially those coming from containment / micro-containment zone(s) and if necessary, the candidates’ eAdmit Cards and ID Cards of the examination functionaries are to be used as movement passes'.
"The State Governments have further been requested that public transport be made operational to the optimum level, at least on a day before the Examination till the date of conduct of the Examination i.e. from 06.01.2022 to 09.01.2022 and 14.01.2022 to 16.01.2022 for ensuring smooth movement of the candidates/examination functionaries," an official notice read.
It further said that all the competent district authorities and the venue supervisors have been provided with the guidelines of the Commission for the conduct of the examinations.
Meanwhile, this decision of the Commission has disappointed many who had been demanding postponement of the examination. "When the cases are rising at such a fast rate in the country, this type of announcement shows the irresponsible behaviour of the institution," said an aspirant.
Another aspirant said, "It was quite expected from the Commission which too had earlier conducted the UPSC Prelims in 2020 when the 2nd wave of Coronavirus was almost at peak. Conducting the exam in this situation will only put our lives to risk."
However, there are some aspirants who believe that all their hard work will be wasted if the Mains exam is postponed. "The Commission has taken the right decision. At this juncture, we can't go on preparing and waiting for the exam for long. In the days to come, the country may witness more cases leading to continuous delay in holding the exam," said a Civil Services aspirant.
Some aspirants also argued that there are only a few candidates to appear for the Mains exam and since it will be conducted across the country, there are no chances of any rush or gatherings at the exam centres.
"UPSC had earlier given a chance to change the exam centre. Now, just for a few candidates (who are in favour of postponement), the Commission can't ruin all our hard work and time we have so far devoted in preparing ourselves for the exam," said a candidate.