Excelsior Correspondent
NEW DELHI, Apr 19: There is no move to cancel the IAS, Civil Services Exam and the dates for these exams will be announced after the lockdown period is over on the 3rd of May.
This was disclosed here today by Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh who is also In-Charge DoPT (Department of Personnel & Training), in response to a news circulating in a section of media and also social media that the Government had decided to cancel the UPSC exams.
Briefing the media on the issue, Dr Jitendra Singh clarified that various exams to be conducted by Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) including the Civil Services Exam, Indian Engineering Service exam etc have been deferred, not cancelled. He said, a misleading news in this regard has created a lot of confusion and worry among the minds of young aspirants, which he sought to clarify by reassuring that the decision on the dates will be taken after the situation settles down in the wake of lockdown and Covid pandemic. A notification to this effect has already been issued by the UPSC but unfortunately some elements seem to have continued to create confusion, he added.
As far as Civil Service Exam is concerned, Dr Jitendra Singh said, the final personality test of Civil Service aspirants had to be put off because of the sudden emergence of Corona crises. Similarly, the dates of the preliminary exam could also not be notified. He said, the government is sensitive to the interest of the young aspirants and is also aware that they would require sufficient notice of time to undertake the exam and to reach the Centre of exam designated for them.
Dr Jitendra Singh said, the UPSC has already issued a press release in this regard. A press note has also been issued by the Staff Selection Commission (SSC) stating that they would also announce the dates after the present situation settles down.
In another clarification, Dr Jitendra Singh said, it was disappointing to hear a news being repetitively planted in a section of media that the government was going to announce a cut of 30% in the pension and it would stop the pension of those above the age of 80. He said he wanted to set the record straight that at no point of time any such move was contemplated by the Government.
On the contrary, Dr Jitendra Singh said, the Department of Pensions and Pensioners’ Welfare in the Ministry of Personnel was taking every care to avoid any inconvenience to the pensioners on account of lockdown. He said, the monthly pension emoluments were deposited in the bank account of each of the pensioners while during the lockdown a video conference meeting was held with pensioners in nearly 20 towns of India to respond to their queries and requirements, and at the same time medical counselling was also done to respond to their questions related to Covid pandemic.
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