Lucknow: This year only 53.11% of candidate attempted the examination which is the lowest in the last four years. The percentage has declined by 6 percent compared to the last year.
Uttar Pradesh Public Service Commission conducts examination for recruitment to 200 posts of Provincial Civil Service (PCS) exam. The exam is an annual process and was conducted on 11 October 2020 in two phases. The first phase was from 9:30 to 11:30 am and the second one from 2:30 to 4:30 pm.
| Year | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 |
| Number of applicants | 4,55,297 | 6,35,844 | 5,44,664 | 5,95,696 |
| candidates appeared | 2,46,654 | 3,98,630 | 3,18,147 | 3,16,352 |
| percentage of attendance | 54.17% | 62.69% | 58.41% | 53.11% |
“I didn’t attempt this year’s UPPCS. One of the factors was because of Covid. My family feared what if the proper arrangements are not made and I might contract the virus. I have lost this year and I have to prepare myself again for the next attempt hoping the situation will not be worrisome then,” said Harsh, a UPPSC aspirant.
According to UPPSC, the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) that were given include carrying masks, maintaining social distance, doing thermal checkups, and providing hand sanitizers at entry points.
“I attempted this year’s UPPCS. There were arrangements of sanitisers at the entry point, but no social distancing norms were followed after the dispersal of candidates. It is obvious that most people didn’t come and the Coronavirus was the reason. Many candidates might be scared what if they contract the virus in such a large crowd,” said Pradeep Kumar, who attempted the exam this year.
The Principal of the ALY Manpuriya Inter College, where the exam took place, has said that all arrangements were made as per Covid-19 guidelines issued by the government.
UPPSC Lucknow officials said that the situation might be because of coronavirus and it might improve in the next examination.
According to a study by Adda247, 82.33 percent of the people surveyed are looking to apply for government jobs because of employment security amid uncertainties due to disruptions caused by Covid-19. So, the popular choice is still government jobs despite the fall in numbers. Students are gearing up for next year’s UPPCS exam which is scheduled in August hoping that everything will become normal till then.
