Move to count marks of English subject in the civil services mains examination draws criticism

Updated on: Friday, March 15, 2013

The Union Public Service Commission move to count marks of English subject (optional) in the civil services mains examination was today decried by Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Kumar Modi who said it would hurt the prospects of aspirants from rural background.

"In the UPSC(mains) examination where even five marks make huge difference to chances of 250 to 300 aspirants, the Commission's circular to count marks of the English optional subject will prove to be detrimental to the prospects of those candidates hailing from rural and regional background in the Hindi heartland and other regions," Modi said in a statement.

A number of candidate from rural areas - many of them children of rickshawpullers and labourers used to make it to the civil services examination with high ranks and qualify for the posts of the IAS, IFS and IPS officers. But now their prospects will be decisively affected if English (optional) marks was added in the mains examination, he said.

The UPSC's circular was, however, a bonanza for aspirants hailing from big cities and towns with convent school backgrounds.

Terming the circular as "divisive and aimed at creating class divide in the society", Modi urged the Centre to intervene and direct UPSC to withdraw it and maintain status quo.

The UPSC's circular has also drawn the wrath of other states and regional leaders who have demanded a rollback.

Move to count marks of English subject in the civil services mains examination draws criticism

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