UPSC have decided to withdraw all controversial language
changes to the Civil Services Examination
The government and UPSC have decided to withdraw all controversial language
changes to the civil services examination but will go ahead with other reforms
to have four general studies papers instead of two.
Government sources said the decision was taken at the meeting of the Union
Public Service Commission representatives with minister of state for personnel,
V Narayanasamy on Wednesday.
The restrictions on writing the examination in a regional
language are being withdrawn under this formula. Besides, a 100 mark English
paper – whose marks were to be counted to draw up the merit list – is also being
scrapped.
Narayanasamy last week told angry Lok Sabha MPs that the government would
keep the notification in abeyance and maintain status quo ante, a Latin phrase
for the way things were before.
But the UPSC – that had been furiously pushing the changes despite
reservations on the timing of the changes just ahead of the examination – was
able to persuade the department not to scrap the reforms lock, stock and barrel.
“It has been decided to make changes on the contentious
language issue to the satisfaction of the MPs. All their concerns have been
addressed,” a government official told HT, pointing that a strong view had
emerged during discussions over the last few days not to withdraw all changes.
