"Candidates must apply in the Common Application Form devised by the UPSC for its examinations, which can be purchased from the designated head post offices/ post offices (specified in Appendix-III of the notice) throughout the country," said an official from the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions.

For details regarding the eligibility conditions, syllabus and scheme of the examination, centers of examination, guidelines for filling up application form etc. aspirants must consult the detailed notice of the examination published in the Employment News/ Rozgar Samachar dated February 20, 2010. Details are also available on the UPSC website.

"In case of any difficulty in obtaining application forms from the designated HPOs/POs, the candidates should contact the concerned post master or UPSC's 'Forms supply monitoring cell' over telephone no.011-23389366/ Fax No.011-23387310," he added.

Application must reach the 'Secreary, Union Service Public Commission, Dholpur House, Shahjahan Road, New Delhi, 110069' either by hand or by post/ speed post or by courier, on or before March 22, 2010.

However, in respect of candidates residing abroad or in certain remote areas specified in the notice, the last date for receipt of applications by post/speed post only (not by hand or by courier) is March 29, 2010.