New Delhi: The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) announced on Tuesday the postponement of the Civil Services Preliminary Examination from May 26 to June 16 due to the impending Lok Sabha elections.
The civil services examination, which is conducted annually by the UPSC in three stages – preliminary, main, and interview – is held to select officers for prestigious positions such as the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), the Indian Foreign Service (IFS), and the Indian Police Service (IPS), among others.
"In light of the forthcoming general election schedule, the commission has decided to reschedule the civil services (preliminary) examination-2024, which also serves as the screening test for the Indian Forest Service examination, 2024, from 26-05-2024 to 16-06-2024," it stated.
According to a UPSC notification issued last month, the number of vacancies expected to be filled through this year's examination is approximately 1,056.
The Lok Sabha polls will be conducted in seven phases, commencing on April 19, with the counting of votes scheduled for June 4.