New Delhi: The UPSC who has revamped the pattern of Civil Services PT examination by introducing CSAT which is conducted to select candidates for prestigious central services such as IAS, IFS,IPS,IRS and others. Now it is looking forward to bring some serious changes in the mode of 'main' examination as well with effect from 2013.
A high power expert panel has been constituted by commission to suggest desired changes in the pattern of Civil Service Main Examination.
Currently there are three stages in UPSC Civil Services exam- 'preliminary', 'main' and interview. UPSC chairman D P Agrawal revealed that the commission has now constituted a panel to look into the matter.
He made it clear that commission will ensure that aspirants’ from several languages, communities and culture are judged on the basis of in-depth understanding and knowledge.
CSAT was introduced in 2011 by incorporating elements of aptitude test and minor change was brought in 'main' exam in 1933.
An 'essay' paper carrying 200 marks was also introduced for judging aspirants' knowledge of chosen topic and presentation skills.
This change by the UPSC, however did not satisfied the desired purpose of bringing candidates opting high scoring science subjects at the same level with those opting humanities and languages as optional papers in the main exam.
An official said that getting good marks in science/medicines/engineering papers is easier than getting high scores in language papers. Therefore the existing system judges the candidates unfairly.
Moreover, the existing system is inclined towards short-listing those aspirants who are good at their 'subjects' rather than having general knowledge. This pattern does not test candidates' administrative and managerial skills.
The ARC has recommended in 2008 that UPSC should only keep two compulsory papers (general studies) and an essay paper for 'main' examination and there should not be any optional subject.
