News claiming that the maximum age for anyone planning to give the UPSC Civil Examination has been reduced, is going viral on social media. The fake claim says that the maximum age limit for students of general category who aspire to appear for the UPSC Civil Examination has been reduced from 32 years to 26 years. The claim states that after the age of 26, an individual cannot become an IAS-IPS officer as authorities have put a limit on the age. The claim mentions that the new rule is applicable only for aspirants belonging to the general category. The fake news went viral on social media platforms including Facebook, Twitter, WhatsApp, which triggered panic and confusion among aspirants. A fact check by the Press Information Bureau (PIB) categorically denied the fake claim and said that no such decision has been taken by UPSC. Several such fake posts are being widely shared on social media amid the COVID-19 pandemic. The government has time and again urged people to be alert of such fake stories and visit government websites for any such announcement.
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