Photos: Civil services aspirants attend the UPSC exams in India

Aspirants arrive at the examination centre as they appear in the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) prelims exam 2020, in New Delhi. The Civil Services Examination (CSE) is a nationwide competitive examination in India conducted by the Union Public Service Commission for recruitment to various Civil Services of the Government of India, including the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Foreign Service (IFS), and Indian Police Service (IPS). Also simply referred to as the UPSC examination it is conducted in three phases.

Candidates stand in a queue as they appear in the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) prelims exam 2020, in New Delhi. As per reports, more than 10 lakh candidates have applied for the Civil Services Examination 2020 which will be held at 2,569 centres in different cities.

Aspirant sanitize her exam paper as she appearing in the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) prelims exam 2020, in New Delhi.

The Supreme Court had refused to defer the civil services preliminary examination scheduled for October 4 but asked the authorities to consider a possible concession for aspirants unable to take their last shot at the exam due to the COVID-19 pandemic.Above, candidates wait outside an examination center before appearing for the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) exam, in Vijayawada.

Candidates undergo thermal screening at an examination center before appearing for the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) exam, in Vijayawada. It is mandatory for all the candidates taking the Civil Services Examination to wear a mask or face cover.

"The lockdown and pandemic caused a sort of setback for many UPSC aspirants. We were unsure of the possibility of exams being conducted in 2020. But everyone has prepared well and I hope we do our best," added another candidate. Above, aspirants undergo thermal screening as they appear in the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) prelims exam 2020, in New Delhi.

"I used public transport to reach the centre. It was not safe, but what can I do? I had to appear for the exam," a candidate, said.

Students stand in a queue as they appear in the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) prelims exam 2020 at Government Girls College, in Gurugram, Haryana.

Father of a UPSC aspirant said, "I think the most difficult phase of COVID-19 is slowly evaporating. The government needs to bring life back in order and we must cooperate with the best of our sensibilities. We must take responsibility for our personal safety and follow the rules prescribed by the government for institutional safety too." Above, candidates appear in the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) exam amid coronavirus pandemic at an examination center in Jabalpur.

Examinees search their roll numbers for seat arrangement before they appear in the Union Public Service Commission Prelims exams 2020, in Bhopal.

A Candidate appears in the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) exam amid a coronavirus pandemic at an examination center in Jabalpur.