Patna: The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) Civil Services Preliminary Examination was conducted across the country on Sunday, with authorities in Patna implementing extensive security and monitoring arrangements to ensure the smooth conduct of the examination.
Officials said the examination concluded peacefully across Bihar’s capital, where thousands of candidates appeared for one of India’s most competitive recruitment examinations.
Candidates Say Paper Was Lengthy and Challenging
Candidates emerging from examination centres after the first shift described the General Studies paper as “moderate to difficult”.
Several aspirants said:
- Many questions were lengthy
- Some were framed in a complex and analytical manner
- Time management proved challenging during the examination
The UPSC Prelims were conducted in two shifts:
- General Studies Paper: 9:30am to 11:30am
- CSAT Paper: 2:30pm to 4:30pm
Nearly 40,000 Candidates Appeared in Patna
According to district administration officials:
- 79 examination centres were set up across Patna
- Arrangements were made for 39,147 candidates
Large crowds of candidates and parents gathered outside examination centres from early morning.
Authorities permitted entry only up to 30 minutes before the examination began. Candidates arriving after the deadline were denied entry.
Multi-Layered Security Arrangements Deployed
To maintain order and prevent malpractice, the Patna district administration divided the city into 30 administrative zones.
Officials deployed:
- Zonal magistrates
- Reserve magistrates
- Static magistrates
- Assistant supervisors
- Police personnel at all centres
The administration said continuous monitoring was carried out throughout the examination process.
Electronic Gadgets Strictly Prohibited
Authorities enforced strict anti-cheating measures during the examination.
Candidates were prohibited from carrying:
- Mobile phones
- Smartwatches
- Bluetooth devices
- Other electronic gadgets
Officials also made repeated announcements outside centres regarding examination rules and prohibited items.
The administration warned that candidates found in possession of banned materials could face strict disciplinary action, including disqualification and debarment from future examinations.
UPSC Exam Conducted Peacefully
Officials from both the district administration and the Commission said arrangements remained largely smooth throughout the day.
The Civil Services Examination conducted by the UPSC is considered one of the country’s most prestigious and competitive examinations, recruiting candidates for services including the IAS, IPS and IFS.
