It would be extremely difficult for UPSC to conduct the examination having candidates to the tune of 5 lakh (who actually appears) in July or August.
If they conduct, the invigilators, candidates, their relatives and the community members, all are at risk of contracting COVID-19.
If a candidate who appears in Prelims, unfortunately gets infected and then treated and quarantined for 28+ days during the infection period, is grossly unjust to him or her with regard to the intervening preparation for Mains. The spirit of competitive exam would be compromised.
It's not one day event exam (IIT JEE, NEET etc) in which after exam, even if you get infected, will not be troubling the student much. Exams are already over for them, but this is not the case for CSE Aspirants.
This is highly likely in cities like Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata, Chennai and other districts seeing a spike in number of cases.
Unless these cities witness substantial decline in number of active cases and in rate of per day cases, conducting a pan-India exam doesn't seem to be a prudent and practical idea.
If still it is conducted in July or August (covid cases to peak in these months as per epidemiologists), risks of infection will increase manifold. As candidates will be required to travel by Train, Bus, Auto, e-rickshaw etc. They are the perfect place for increasing the spread of infection, given the type of seating they do. Social Distancing see it's burial in these modes.
Studies must continue, though, even in times of uncertainty.
More time =>more effort =>more chances to succeed in one go.
All the Best !
Embrace the Uncertainty.
