Candidates and experts have unanimously welcomed the changes announced by UPSC

Updated on: Thursday, March 07, 2013

Candidates for the civil services examinations and experts have unanimously welcomed the changes announced by Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) on Tuesday. The step was described as "overdue" that would create a "level playing field" and produce "better candidates for administration".

Among the major changes to be introduced this year are English language paper, the score of which will be taken into account in the final selection for various elite services and top central jobs; higher weightage to general studies (GS); and testing aspirants for 'ethics, integrity and aptitude'.

A K Mishra, founder chairman and managing director of Chanakya IAS Academy said, "The changes have more or less ensured that all the candidates are on an equal footing now. By completely changing the weightage in favour of GS, the commission has made the exams more diverse and broad-based. Therefore, it's a positive change considering the challenges being faced by the administration. Introduction of ethics, integrity and aptitude under GS is another welcome move."

The exam as is widely known is conducted in three phases — preliminary, main and personality test (interview). The changes are meant only for the main examination. The pattern for the preliminary one remains unchanged. "It's good that the GS papers will be divided into specific topics/subjects rather than have a general approach," said Sainira Marak, a student of organic chemistry at North-Eastern Hill University and an aspirant.

The new pattern is also expected to reverse the trend in the overall selection process. The earlier pattern used to help candidates who opted for high-scoring engineering or science subjects and mathematics. It was felt that getting high scores in science, engineering or medicines papers was easier than obtaining good marks in humanities and language papers and, therefore, the old system used to test aspirants unfairly. Those who are going to appear for Civil Services Exam 2013 are claiming that gone are the days when scoring high in the optionals by rigorous coaching and rote learning at the last moment could get you through.

Atul Kumar Pandey, a PG student of philosophy, Delhi University, told TOI: "The debate among the candidates used to be that optional subjects don't have much relevance in administration. Yet, candidates got selected by scoring high marks in the optionals by rote learning. Now students will have to study more of GS. Moreover, introduction of English language paper is a good move. I am also from a Hindi medium school, but for a top level administrative office we have to have the capacity of dealing with basic level of English."

Unlike the earlier pattern, which often favoured aspirants with subject knowledge, the UPSC has now introduced four general studies papers of 250 marks each instead of two papers of 300 marks each. The general studies papers will carry 1,000 marks henceforth.

Besides, there will be two optional papers of 250 marks each instead of four papers of 300 marks each earlier. The weightage of the optional papers will also be reduced from 1,200 to 500 marks. The total marks for the main exam will be 1,800. Besides, the personality test carries 275 marks.

Candidates and experts have unanimously welcomed the changes announced by UPSC

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