UPSC committee to review the language rule

Updated on: Wednesday, March 16, 2011

The UPSC told the Mumbai HC that it has set up an expert committee to look into the rule that says a candidate who has written the civil services examination papers in English, has to also give the interview in English.

The High Court was hearing a petition filed by IAS-aspirant Chittaranjan Kumar, who choose English for the written part of the 2008 examinations, but wanted to give the interview in Hindi.
Advocate Rui Rodrigues, appearing for UPSC, told the division bench of Chief Justice Mohit Shah and Justice S J Vazifdar today that the committee would review the rule, and submit its recommendations within three months.

The matter will now be heard on June 23.

According to the rule, candidates who choose to write papers in Hindi or any other non-English language have the option of appearing for viva voce in the same language, or in English. But a candidate taking the written exam in English cannot opt for another language for interview.

"A candidate, who is capable of clearing the exam by writing as many as seven descriptive papers of different subjects in English, is expected to have adequate communication skills to express oneself before the interview board in English," an affidavit filed earlier by UPSC stated.

Kumar had argued that the UPSC rule favour candidates who are "convent-educated", and are from privileged background.

UPSC committee to review the language rule

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