why are people not considering the logistical problems?
*the paper needs to be set.
*paper needs to be printed.
*printed paper needs to reach all centres.
*centres which are government school need to be ready(some schools are being used as quarantine centres).
*people need to travel to centre citiesOther UPSC exam notifications and processes are postponed. Admit card usually comes by end of April. I guess we will know it then.
If a govt. can counter a disease with this force and mechanism, trust me, what you're questioning might not take much from them. Govt. imposed restrictions in a snap, it can remove them in a flash.
I feel everything else can be done while following certain norms to prevent the infection but when it comes to people travelling to centre cities there might be a very slight problem. But, I think it can be overcome by giving students enough time to move by making admit cards out a little earlier. Personal opinion, schools cannot be centres of quarantines till 31st May. schools don't have quarantine like facilities, so using them for capacity upgrade is not much viable. Other options, dharamshala, community halls, banquets etc. are better.
But, a little larger question they face would be , do we need to conduct the exam on 31stMay2020?
Economists would suggest, Yes. Politicians might suggest, No.
And, I see economists winning here, because such exams lead to expenditure and demand creation in the economy, remember how fiscal expenditure can help in recession and slowdown (Keynesian thought). These exams would be important to all lower economic classes which are bearing the burden of this lockdown.
Let's say, a candidate would spend atleast 10₹ to exam centre and 50₹ there , exam happens in two shifts. Taking last year figure, 8lakh people appeared for prelims, 60*8lakhs ~4.8 crore. And you know my nos. are not realistic, so yes, a significant amount would be spent by candidates all across India.
Politicians would say no , due to popular pressure due to sensitivity, social distancing dilemma. But, social distancing can be maintained at individual exam centres by allocating more no. of centres and health norms. All candidates wouldn't be taking exam at one centre, so it looks feasible, if you look from micro level.
Disjointed thought, many central ministries have opened today amid lockdown extension speculation, in that light, all future bureaucrats must be ready for the CSE atleast.
Politicians and Economists suggestions taken. Economists (~economics) leading. It would be interesting to see what are "vehicles of this financial assistance" in sixth para. that Chairman Finance Commission is also asking, would be.
I ,personally, wouldn't be surprised if all India exams (UPSC, NEET, JEE Mains etc.) are part of it as these can have better penetration into the economy and can hit right chords.
My reason
Urban areas don't have schemes like MNREGA, others. Also, these schemes are spatially specific in rural areas too. Since, India's MSME sector is ~111 million (~11crore) , it would be really tough for anyone to absorb them into such schemes too. So, the vehicle of financial assistance has to be really comprehensive and more penetrating. That's why I said, such exams are a definite policy instrument.
Adding on, urban poor people would be hurt more as rurals are self reliant to varying degrees.
Our BPL line is ~1400-1500₹ monthly (for urban, correct me if wrong) from C Rangrajan committee estimates. If 3 exams are conducted and if one guy earns 500₹ (which I think is practically feasible), his monthly income to sustain is provided (atleast according to govt., which according to me is fine provided they get PDS supplies).
Markets have been opened. Let's see, if demand gets created or not. I personally think, it can't be created by itself, though I hope that's not the case. News of social frustration this week among them would be a proxy indicator.
Adding on, creating new vehicles of assistance would come at a cost, which govt. might not want to incur (Budget constraints, time investment, not many long term uses etc.). One example where it got created : UP giving 1000₹ + Raashan to migrants when they come back home ,but, such opportunities are rare, you can't make them come and go again and again.
Anyway, Delhi Metro plan is ready too.
https://www.livemint.com/news/india/after-delhi-metro-opens-you-may-be-denied-ride-without-mask-aarogya-setu-pass/amp-11587649373682.html
Rephrasing original question to, what are chances of prelims being on time? There are and it would be strategic than a popular choice. UPSC can increase one attempt for everyone for compensation of this year (though that would not be perfect but these aren't normal times). If not, it wouldn't be too late. Saying it again, views are personal but I'm open to arguments and questions which are 'n' in numbers. I'm open to questions like "this is a public health emergence, you dumbo are thinking about economy" but please ask.
Lastly, I just want to point out, if this is worse than Great Depression (like many pointing out), I feel, the measures have to be really strict and strategic. And before any of that, we, the citizens, need to internalize it for our own benefit and society as a whole. If not taken, the situation can really hurt us. Let's not file 'n' emotional petitions with same demands, only one can do. The govt. knows the situation already. Please, let panic dissipate and reality sink in. These are tough times. Let's prepare. Peace.
Carrying forward your point of centrality to economics, there’s a concept call “economic threshold”. It is used in agriculture, when the potential damage to crops due to pest is more than than the holistic cost incurred on applying pesticide, that’s when pest management is undertaken.
I think there’ll be a time soon when economic threshold should factor in public policy (and discourse) in India vis a vis Corona management. At some point holistic cost of lockdown will exceed the holistic cost of allowing normalcy, hence sustained lockdown isn’t a prudent choice in the long run. Sustained lockdown will have bearing on growth-employment , which brings about poverty- death/suicide- chronic disease (chronicled during Great Depression and 2008 financial crisis).
Coming to your point of economics of exams, in theory I agree with you. Your point makes sense in terms of exams adding to economy, but I am not sure if that would be the reason for deciding prelims date (just my assumption, no fact based opinion). I feel the decision of exam will be backed by :-
1. Feasibility- logistical aspects
2. Public health concern
@Sniper India has a lot of problems already, let us not create another one out of thin air. Ok?
What exactly is the problem that you so believe has been created out of thin air ?
https://indianexpress.com/article/education/jee-main-neet-2020-in-july-hrd-minister-announces-new-dates-6392998/
^ Could be a good indication as to when prelims could be held
Isnt anyone here bothered that exam postponed till july or August means preparing atleast14 months current affairs for prelims, and much more for mains...
😂😂😂
UPSC was increasingly asking C.A of 15-20months in prelims. The extension of prelims will benefit you as you would have already covered majority months of C.A thoroughly (no extra effort on going back and doing C.A). This benefit is more prominent for freshers
Above are the guidelines issued by CBSE for conduct of their examination beginning July.
I know 'normal' would change post corona and it is for our benefit, but just stating that giving an exam with a mask on is such an inconvenience. Especially giving UPSC CSE Mains. Imagine giving personality interview with masks, so much will change !
Strange how actions of 1 country can really alter so many things for everybody.
This year's toppers are really making me anxious...either they are IITians or hv already been working in some service😥😥😥
Some “gyaan” in an attempt to help you (and others if any) of being anxious post result announcement.
1. There exist 3 major causes why anxiety builds up at such a time
A. Role of availability bias- The IITians, farmers son, model who also is academically brilliant, 1st attempters etc, flood the success story post result. That’s mostly because they have a better story, somewhat inspiring story and hence they stand out or our printed the most. This makes our mind think that most of the top rankers will be equally brilliant/unique in their story. Hence making us anxious.
- The fact is, UPSC like always selects a wide bunch of aspirants based purely on merit. Every coveted pdf will have the silent aspirant who has a very generic life story and has given more than 1 attempt. So don’t let your mind play tricks based on few success stories.
B. Role of comparison- In the book “Pyscho Cybernetics” Dr Maxwell Maltz writes that most common reason for anxiety in today’s world is comparison of oneself with others. This holds partially true for post result anxiety among aspirant. Comparison is good up until it motivates and inspires you, the moment it becomes a cause of stress it needs to be let go off. Every year there are hundreds of unique aspirants clearing this exam, applying different method-strategy with varying level of intelligence and sociology-Economic background. Comparisons is ill fitted, comparison should only be done at an appropriate level. Eg Strategy of toppers
C. Last major cause of anxiety is when a small part of us deep inside knows that we aren’t really studying at an appropriate level. The anxiety is nothing but expression of guilt and part shame. This is good if used to fuel our preparation by studying appropriate number of hours everyday with quality. Let the anxiety kickstart focussed study, and don’t let it put oneself in a viscous cycle where anxiety begets lack of studying which begets more anxiety.
The result should motivate to study harder and assuage us that UPSC does not discriminate, a farmers son an IITian or an average student, all clear the exam. Just work hard and work smart. Roughly 150 days of studying (up until mains starts), not very demanding for the benefit it could potentially reap.
Guys m sharing my admit card screenshot for an idea of futuristic exams from sept onwards
Anybody knows what UPSC says about masks, do they provide it or we could bring our own masks ?
Hey everyone, I am in a bit of a dilemma. I’ve finished Forum simulators until 8, Vajiram until 22 a while ago, and am now doing Vision. Finished 8 today. Been scoring decently, but Vision tests have been seeming a little divergent from PYQs to me too. From what everyone has said I don’t even want to venture into Abhyas. Should I continue and finish the Vision series, or go back and finish the simulators or Vajiram? I haven’t done any tests from the COVID extended months.
Personal opinion- Pick up simulator, Vision and Vajiram and put them all aside. Last 15 days should only be revision of what you’ve already done.
@dwightschrute Set C was a bummer, had to recover pretty hard from those early questions
Set A was like the year 2020.
It briefly started with ease and enthusiasm (Polity questions) and then it kept getting worse (History questions) to an extent where all you want is for it to get over (agriculture & S&T).
