With the lockdown extended for another two weeks, the UPSC hascleared the clouds over the postponement of the UPSC (IAS) Prelims exam 2020.The new exam date will be announced on May 20, 2020.

As per the UPSC Exam calendar, the Civil Service (Prelims)exam 2020 was scheduled for 31st May 2020. However, with the outbreak ofCOVID-19 in the country, it would be difficult to conduct the exam on a pan Indiabasis with more than 9 lakh candidates to take the exam. Many states haveextended the lockdown period till May end. In a situation like this, it wouldhave been strenuous to conduct the exam on the due date.

The exam centers allotted to the candidates are decided onsaid criteria and if the number of applicants from a particular area exceedsthe capacity, the candidates are allotted exam centers in another city.

Also, as the lockdown situation has forced many candidatesto travel back to their hometown it had been difficult for them to commute totheir exam centers. With transportation facilities in the country still at halttill May 17, the candidates stuck in different cities would need time to travelto their exam centers.

Addressing this concern Union Minister Jitendra Singh stated"UPSC & SSC examinations that were put on hold due to lockdown, willdefinitely take place. We will take a call after May 3 & reschedule datesin a manner that it gives sufficient time to all the aspirants to reach totheir designated examination centers" 

Hence it is expected that the UPSC will reschedule the examdate for sometime next month for the convenience of the candidates.

Last month is a Press Release, UPSC clarified that "Dates forthe Civil Services-2020 (Prelim), Engineering Services (Main) and the GeologistServices (Main) Examinations had already been announced. Any rescheduling inthese examinations, if necessitated by the evolving situation, will be notifiedon the website of the UPSC."