UPSC Exams were not affected by COVID-19 Pandemic. See data comparison here
UPSC Exam 2024 ( UPSC )
COVID-19 did not affect the UPSC Exams. The data comparison of 2020 with the previous year shows that the number of candidates who appeared post-COVID-19 times was not reduced significantly.
The UPSC is the apex recruitment conducting body of the nation. It notifies several exams every year and conduct the exams as per the prescribed exam calendar. Being a constitutional body, the exams are always conducted on time and there was no delay in conducting the exams.
The average number of candidates who applied and appeared in all the UPSC exam pre-corona and post-corona period was not changed significantly. The coronavirus pandemic did not affect the conduct of the UPSC exam and the number of candidates who appeared in the UPSC exam. The numbers of candidates who appeared in the UPSC exam, after the nationwide lockdown, were not reduced significantly. The data presented in the Supreme Court by the UPSC shows that the number of candidates who appeared in the UPSC exams in 2020-21 (post COVID-19 pandemic) was almost similar to the pre-pandemic years.
UPSC conducts 10 Civil Exams and four defence exams every year. The comparison between the pre and post COVID-19 numbers shows that there was little impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the number of candidates who appeared in the UPSC exams.
| Exam Name |
Candidates Applied |
Candidates Appeared |
|---|---|---|
|
|
|
|
| 2020 |
10,400,60 |
4,827,70 |
| 2018 |
10,655,52 |
5,004,84 |
| 2017 |
9,690,65 |
4,628,48 |
|
|
|
|
| 5,301,85 |
2,404,45 |
|
| NDA/NA (I) Exam 2018 |
4,506,41 |
2,946,88 |
| NDA/NA (II) Exam 2018 |
3,487,85 |
2,405,76 |
| NDA/NA (I) Exam 2017 |
4,169,61 |
2,680,12 |
| NDA/NA (II) Exam 2017 |
3,442,02 |
2,321,20 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| 2020 |
2,343,43 |
1,182,50 |
| 2018 |
2,362,48 |
1,205,79 |
| 2017 |
2,661,02 |
1,273,26 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| 2020 |
2,263 |
1,955 |
| 2018 |
4,206 |
3,889 |
| 2017 |
3,769 |
3,437 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| 2020 |
43,120 |
20,213 |
| 2018 |
40,556 |
19,873 |
| 2017 |
39,166 |
18,183 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| 2020 |
2,960,66 |
89,946 |
| 2018 |
3,072,96 |
1,086,77 |
| 2017 |
2,822,60 |
1,027,07 |
|
|
|
|
*The data provided above are taken from the official sources and the data provided by the UPSC in the Supreme Court.
One of the major reason for not reduction in the numbers was the facility provided by the UPSC to change the exam centres in the post-pandemic period. This provided the opportunity for the candidates to appear in the UPSC exam near their residence. The UPSC released a new exam calendar because of the coronavirus pandemic and rescheduled all the exams mentioned above. It also combined the NDA/NA (I) and (II) exam 2020.
Upcoming Sarkari Exam Dates
28 Jan '26 - 29 Jan '26
SSC CHSL
31 Jan '26
31 Jan '26
31 Jan '26
1 Feb '26
8 Feb '26
8 Jan '26 - 10 Feb '26
2 Feb '26 - 16 Feb '26
31 Jan '26 - 28 Feb '26
UPSC had also provided the reimbursement of the lowest airfare to the candidates who appeared in the interview of various exams.
See here: UPSC New Exam Calendar
News & Updates
Explore Other Exams
8 Feb '26 | UPSC ESE (IES) 2026 Prelims Ex... |
21 Jun '26 | UPSC ESE (IES) 2026 Mains Exam... |
17 Jul '22 | UPSC CMS 2022 Exam Day |
Jun '22 | UPSC CMS 2022 Admit Card Relea... |
16 Feb '26 - 10 Mar '26 | UPSC CAPF 2026 Application Dat... |
19 Jul '26 | UPSC CAPF 2026 Exam |
Nov '25 | UPSC IAS Main Result 2025 |
22 Aug '25 - 31 Aug '25 | IAS Main 2025 Exam Date |
Student Forum
Anything you would want to ask experts?Answered a week ago
The UPSC IAS Notification 2026 has been postponed due to administrative reasons. The Commission released a notice on its official website - upsc.gov.in regarding this. The Commission will also revise the last date for UPSC applications.
N
Contributor-Level 6
Answered a week ago
The Union Public Service Commission will release the IAS Prelims Answer Key 2026 in May 2027. The Commission releases the official answer key after the declaration of final result.
M
Contributor-Level 6
Answered a week ago
The Union Public Service Commission will conduct the IAS prelims exam on May 24, 2026. The Commission will release the IAS prelims result 2026 in the first week of June.
V
Contributor-Level 6
Answered a week ago
The Cadre Controlling Authority for Indian Foreign Service is the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). It is recruited through the Civil Service Exam.
Contributor-Level 9
Answered a week ago
The Cadre Controlling Authority for Indian Police Service is the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA). It comes directly under the supervision of Home Minister of India.
N
Beginner-Level 5
Answered a week ago
The Union Public Service Commission will notify the UPSC Civil Service vacancies in the official notification. The number of vacancies for IAS is 180 and for IPS it is 150. Rest of the vacancies are notified for the Central Civil Services.
M
Contributor-Level 6
Answered a week ago
The Union Public Service Commission mention the age limit in the official notification. The upper age limit for the General Categoary candidates is 32 years. The Commission provides age relaxation to certain reserved categories.
S
Contributor-Level 6
Answered a week ago
No, the Indian Foriegn Service is a Central Civil Service. It is organised and controlled by the Ministry of External Affairs. It is recruited through the UPSC Civil Service Exam conducted annually.
R
Beginner-Level 5
Answered a week ago
The Union Public Service Commission will release the Civil Service (IAS) notification 2026 on its official website - upsc.gov.in. The Commission will mention the number of vacancies (tentative) in the notification. The Commission is releasing over one thousand vacancies in the recent years.
R
Contributor-Level 6
Answered 2 weeks ago
International relations are important for you to understand so many things as a UPSC aspirant. You'll get to know about the global dynamics, politics, rules & policies, global affairs, and more.
Know more about -
R
Contributor-Level 9