Candidates reach centres for UPSC exams amid COVID-19 spread

The Supreme Court (SC) on September 30 declined to postpone the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination scheduled for October 4.

New Delhi:Hundreds of candidates arrived at an examination centre to write Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination, 2020 amid COVID-19 pandemic outbreak.

"I used public transport to reach the centre. It was not safe, but what can I do? I had to appear for the exam," a candidate, said.

"I think everyone appearing for the UPSC exam today is well aware of the health risks and we're mature enough to follow health precautions prescribed by the authorities," added another candidate.

Father of a UPSC aspirant, Dilip Singh said, "I think the most difficult phase of COVID-19 is slowly evaporating. The government needs to bring life back in order and we must cooperate with the best of our sensibilities. We must take responsibility for our personal safety and follow the rules prescribed by the government for institutional safety too."

Candidates arrive in Hyderabad center

Hundreds of candidates were seen arriving at the UPSC examination centre in Hyderabad on Sunday.

Jaswant Kumar, a UPSC candidate, said, "This is a very unprecedented situation. Pandemic is nowhere to end in the near future, so it is better to conduct exams."

"The lockdown and pandemic caused a sort of setback for many UPSC aspirants. We were unsure of the possibility of exams being conducted in 2020. But everyone has prepared well and I hope we do our best," added another candidate.

The Supreme Court (SC) on September 30 declined to postpone the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination scheduled for October 4.

A Bench headed by Justice AM Khanwilkar asked the Centre to consider granting one more chance to those aspirants who may not appear in their last attempt for the exam due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

(With ANI inputs)