New Delhi, Jan 8 (Inditop.com) The civil services (preliminary) examination, which opens the gates for aspirants to become top bureaucrats, diplomats and police officers in India, will be held May 23, it was announced Friday.

The Union Service Public Commission (UPSC) will hold the examination for 2010 for recruitment to the Indian Administrative Service, Indian Foreign Service, Indian Police Service and certain other Group ‘A’ and Group �B’ central services.

The examination will be held at various centres across the country.

The candidates must apply in the Common Application Form devised by the UPSC for its examinations, which can be purchased from designated post offices throughout the country.

The last day for submitting application forms is Feb 1.