After Indian Army, UPSC postpones civil services interviews due to Coronavirus

• After Indian Army, the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) postponed the personality test for civil services examination 2019 — which was earlier scheduled between March 23 and April 3, 2020.
  
• However, the new dates haven’t been informed yet.
  
• As many as 250 people have been tested positive for Coronavirus in India so far — including five deaths.

The outbreak of Coronavirus has led to suspension of classes and postponed examinations across the country. After Indian Army, the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has postponed the personality test for civil services examination 2019 — which was earlier scheduled between March 23 and April 3, 2020.

However, the new dates haven’t been informed yet. The main exam result was declared on January 14, following which the interview dates were announced. The interview stage, which comprises 275 marks, is the final selection stage of selecting civil servants.

The development comes after the Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD) directed all the educational institutions and regulatory bodies — including the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) board exams, university exams and entrances — to be rescheduled after March 31.

“While maintenance of academic calendar and exam schedule is important, equally important is the safety and security of the candidates who are appearing in various examinations, as also that of their teachers and parents,” the official announcement said.

Recently, the Indian Army also deferred all the interviews and selection of officers in the armed forces, amid the Coronavirus pandemic. “These interviews can’t be conducted in the current circumstances. The candidates will be notified when the interviews will be held. No date has been fixed yet,” Army officials told the Hindustan Times. The military aspirants are required to go through a four day SSB interview to get into the Indian Army.

On the other hand, competitive examinations like JEE Mains have also been rescheduled. Earlier, the exam was scheduled between April 5 and April 11, 2020.

“Certain competitive examinations like JEE Mains require examinees to travel to other centers and in some cases even to other cities, to appear in the said examination. Therefore, JEE Mains should be rescheduled and a new date will be announced on March 31, after re-assessment of the situation,” the ministry added.

As many as 250 people have been tested positive for coronavirus in India so far — including five deaths.

See also:
Coronavirus in India: 250 people infected; 223 active cases, 23 cured and 5 dead

Delhi Metro to be suspended during 'Janata Curfew' on Sunday