UPSC aspirants in dilemma over exam pattern

Updated on: Wednesday, December 30, 2009

Hyderabad: Thousands of aspirants preparing for the UPSC Civil Services examination are in a quandary as confusion prevails over the pattern of examination.

A statement by the UPSC Chairman about a month ago indicating that the pattern would be changed, putting in place a new model based on common papers and aptitude tests, has come as a surprise for the candidates who are awaiting the notification for the preliminary examination this month.

'The current pattern is based on two optional subjects and a common general studies and essay paper. But the UPSC's statement about change of pattern did not mention any time frame which is troubling us,' Mr Manidhar Reddy, a graduate from Nizamabad, who is preparing for the exam here, told Business Line.

The current pattern of the examination is based on the Satish Chandra panel recommendations and has been in existence for nearly two decades.

While there has been a talk about changing the pattern for a while, the first official remark was made by the UPSC Chairman, Mr D.P. Agarwal, last month when he said the emphasis would be on providing a level-playing field for all candidates by the introduction of common papers.

'This is intriguing because there are candidates who take the success in the exam as a mission. Generally, a candidate tends to prepare for about 1-2 years prior to taking the exam and continues to attempt the exam for 2-3 years for success or better rank. So, there needs to be clarity,' says Mr K. Mahender Reddy, Director, Kanishka IAS, a Hyderabad-based training centre.

Setting aside the debate on the merits and demerits of the proposed change, the confusion could have an adverse impact on a serious candidate.

'I have been preparing for this exam since July 2009 based on the current model. I don't know what to study as there is no clarity on the pattern,' avers Mr N. Janardhan, a software professional who is aiming at a bureaucratic career option.

'Due to fears about the economic slowdown and resultant insecurity in private jobs many youngsters from IT and other sectors are also planning to take the exam this year and are losing valuable time,' Mr K. Priyadarshi, a faculty in a Delhi-based coaching institute.

'Everybody who is interested in the exam is awaiting either the notification or some announcement from UPSC on the issue to clear the air,' he adds.

About 1.5 lakh candidates across the country take the exam every year. The number vacancies range from 300 to 500.

UPSC aspirants in dilemma over exam pattern

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