The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) on Wednesday announced that the use of masks or face covers would be mandatory for candidates appearing for the civil services (preliminary) examination.

Candidates have to follow COVID-19 norms of ‘social distancing’ as well as ‘personal hygiene’ inside the examination halls/rooms as well as in the premises of the venue. They can also bring their own hand sanitizers in transparent bottles, the commission said.

The three stages of the civil services examination- preliminary, main and interview to select Indian Administrative (IAS), Indian Foreign Service (IFS) and Indian Police Service (IPS) will kick start on October 04.

“Wearing of mask/face cover is mandatory for all candidates. Candidates without mask/face cover will not be allowed entry into the venue. Further, candidates are allowed to bring their own hand sanitizer in transparent bottles,” the Commission said in a statement issued on Wednesday.

This year’s preliminary test was earlier scheduled to be held on May 31, but was deferred due to the nationwide lockdown to contain the spread of coronavirus.The Commission will be conducting the civil services (preliminary) examination-2020 on Sunday, October 4 all over India, the statement said.

The Commission has uploaded the e-admit cards for the convenience of the admitted candidates on its website (http://upsconline.nic.in).