In a first, UPSC aspirants can call back forms

New Delhi: For the first time, candidates appearing for the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) exams can withdraw their applications in case they are not prepared to write the exam.

This step is crucial as it will ease pressure on candidates who feel underprepared before appearing for these exams that are much-coveted and highly-competitive.

The arrangement will be implemented beginning with Engineering Services Examination, 2019, and more examinations will be brought under it, the statement issued by Personnel Ministry said.

However, it is important to note that the application fee paid by the aspirants will not be refunded if they decide to withdraw their applications. Non appearance in the exam is not counted as an attempt.

Addressing an event on Monday, UPSC chairman Arvind Saxena said that the body's experience with the civil services examination is that roughly 50 per cent of the 10 lakh plus candidates who fill in the application forms for the preliminary exams actually write the papers.

The civil services examination is conducted annually by the UPSC in three stages — preliminary, main and interview — to select officers for Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Foreign Service (IFS) and Indian Police Service (IPS) among others.

“The Commission has to book venues, print papers, hire invigilators and ship the documents for all the 10 lakh applicants — which turns out to be a 50 per cent waste of energy and resources,” Mr Saxena said on the occasion of the 92nd foundation day celebrations Monday.   

In order to avail this facility, the candidate has to provide details of application, it said. Separate One-Time Passwords (OTPs) will be sent on candidate's registered mobile number and e-mail id.

“On successful completion of withdrawal of application, confirmation message will be sent on e-mail and also as an SMS. Once application has been withdrawn, it cannot be revived,” the statement said.

With a view to reduce the stress for the candidates, the UPSC has brought an increasing number of exam related interactions and transactions online.

In this regard, Mr Saxena said the UPSC is also moving ahead with shifting from a 'pen and paper' mode of examination to a computer-based mode.  

"Apart from making the examination process more candidate-friendly, the new systems also serves to cut down the time cycle for each examination," he said.

He further added that “The UPSC's view is that if we are able to work with genuine and serious candidates, we can give them better facilities and make our system more efficient.”