The Union Budget for 2013-14 aims at higher growth rate leading to inclusive and sustainable development as ‘mool mantra’.

• Finance Minister makes three promises: to women, youth and the poor.
• Nirbhaya Fund to empower women and to keep them safe and secure.
• Proposal to set up India’s first Women’s Bank as a public sector bank.
• Rs. 1,000 crore for skill development of ten lakh youth to enhance their employability and productivity.
• Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) Scheme to be rolled out throughout the country during the term of UPA Government.

Spotlight/News Analysis (27 Feb):

• Topic of Discussion: Economic Survey 2012-13
• Expert Panel: Maithili (Consulting Editor - Economic Times), Aditi Phadnis (Business Standard)

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Wednesday approved the new format for the Civil Services exams, which will give more weightage to general studies.

The decision came in on the recommendation of a Committee constituted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), which conducts the examination annually.

At present, the civil services (main) examination has general studies Paper I and II of 300 marks each, including compulsory and optional subjects, but as per the new changes, both the general studies papers will have more weightage.

The report of the Committee, under the chairmanship of Prof. Arun S. Nigavekar, former chairman, UGC, was examined by the Department of Personnel and Training, and then put up before the Prime Minister for final approval.

(Admit Cards) Combined Engineering Services Examination- 2013

• Date of Notification : 9th March, 2013

• Date of Notification : 9th March, 2013

New Scheme of Examination For Indian Forest Service Examination, 2013

The salient features of the scheme are as under:-

• Indian Forest Service (IFoS) Exam will be of a two-tier examination similar to that of the Civil Services Examination. The Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination shall serve as the Screening Test for both the Civil Services as well as the Indian Forest Service Examinations.

No request was received from the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) regarding delinking of schedule languages from its scheme of examination. However, Department of Personnel & Training (DOPT) had forwarded to this Ministry for comments, the recommendations of the High Level Standing Committee which had been appointed by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) in July, 2009 to examine the modalities for implementing the recommendations of the Parliamentary Resolution of 1968. According to the Resolution, languages included in the Eighth Schedule to the Constitution and English shall be permitted as alternative media for the All India and higher Central Services examination after ascertaining the views of Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) on the future scheme of the examinations, the procedural aspects and the timing etc.

The recommendations of the said Committee are enclosed in Annexure. The Ministry of Home Affairs had agreed with the recommendations.

Recommendations of the High Level Committee appointed by the Union Public Service Commission

• 67 new Express trains to be introduced
• 26 new passenger services, 8 DEMU services and 5 MEMU services to be introduced
• Run of 57 trains to be extended
• Frequency of 24 trains to be increased
• First AC EMU rake to be introduced on Mumbai suburban network in 2013-14
• 72 additional services to be introduced in Mumbai and 18 in Kolkata
• Rake length increased from 9 cars to 12 cars for 80 services in Kolkata and 30 services in Chennai
• 500 km new lines, 750 km doubling, 450 km gauge conversion targeted in 2013-14
• First ever rail link to connect Arunachal Pradesh
• Some Railway related activities to come under MGNREGA
• For the first time 347 ongoing projects identified as priority projects with the committed funding
• Highest ever plan outlay of Rs. 63,363 crore
• Loan of Rs. 3000 crore repaid fully.
• A new fund-Debt Service Fund set up to meet committed liabilities.
• Freight loading of 1047 MT, 40 MT more than 2012-13
• Passenger growth 5.2% in 2013-14
• Gross Traffic Receipts – Rs. 1,43,742 crore i.e. an increase of 18,062 crore over RE, 2012-13
• Dividend payment estimated at Rs. 6,249 crore
• Operating Ratio to be 87.8% in 2013-14
• Supplementary charges for super fast trains, reservation fee, clerkage charge, cancellation charge and tatkal charge marginally increased
• Fuel Adjustment Component linked revision for freight tariff to be implemented from 1st April 2013
• Enhanced reservation fee abolished
• Elimination of 10797 Level Crossings (LC) during the 12th Plan and no addition of new LCs henceforth
• Introduction of 160/200 kmph Self Propelled Accident Relief Trains
• ‘Aadhar’ to be used for various passenger and staff related services
• Internet ticketing from 0030 hours to 2330 hours
• E-ticketing through mobile phones
• Project of SMS alerts to passengers providing updates on reservation status
• Next –Gen e-ticketing system to be rolled out : capable of handling 7200 tickets per minute against 2000 now, 1.20 lakh users simultaneously against 40,000 now
• Introduction of executive lounge at 7 more stations: Bilaspur, Visakhapatnam, Patna, Nagpur, Agra, Jaipur and Bengaluru
• Introduction of ‘Azadi Express’ to connect places associated with freedom movement
• Four companies of women RPF personnel set up and another 8 to be set up to strengthen the security of rain passengers, especially women passengers
• 10% RPF vacancies being reserved for women
• 1.52 lakh vacancies being filled up this year out of which 47000 vacancies have been earmarked for weaker sections and physically challenged
• Railways to impart skills to the youth in railway related trades in 25 locations
• Provision of portable fire extinguishers in Guard-cum-Brake Vans, AC Coaches and Pantry Cars in all trains
• Pilot project on select trains to facilitate passengers to contact on board staff through SMS/phone call/e-mail for coach cleanliness and real time feedback
• Provision of announcement facility and electronic display boards in trains
• Providing free Wi-Fi facilities on several trains

Cover Story

• Hanged by stealth
• Unanswered questions
• Interview with S.A.R. Geelani
• Kashmir back to the brink
• Making of a 'hero'
• Interview: CPIM(M) MLA M.Y. Tarigami
• Playing 'hard state'
• Pranab's record

The format of the Civil Services Examination, arguably the most competitive test in the country that selects IAS, IPS and allied officers, is set for a makeover.

Each year, around 4 lakh aspirants apply for the exam for about 1,050 available posts. Government is set to reduce the weightage given to optional subjects by half - from 1200 out of 2300 marks to 600. At the same time, weightage for general studies will be increased to 1200 marks from the current 600.

PM Manmohan Singh is expected to clear the revamped version this week, enabling the Union Public Service Commission to notify the examination that has already been delayed by three weeks.

Spotlight/News Analysis (22 Feb):

• Topic of Discussion: Preparedness to make minimum wages mandatory
• Expert Panel: Proof : Rizwan Kaiser (Jamia Millia Islamia), V.S. Arun (Deccan Herald)

IAS MAINS 2012 Written Result

On the basis of the results of the Civil Services (Main) Examination, 2012 held by the Union Public Service Commission in October, 2012, the candidates with the under mentioned Roll Numbers have qualified for Per sonality Test for selection to the Indian Administrative Service, Indian Foreign S ervice, Indian Police Service and other Central Services (Group ‘A’ and Group ‘B’).

2. Candidature of these candidates is provisional s ubject to their being found eligible in all respects. The candidates will be re quired to produce the original certificates in support of their claims pertaining to age, educational qualifications, community, physical handicap and other documents su ch as Questionnaire, Attestation Form and TA Form, etc. at the time of their Personality Test. The formats of SC/ST/OBC and PH certificates and Questi onnaire, Attestation Form and TA Form, etc. can be downloaded from the website of the Commission. They are, therefore, advised to keep the said documents ready with them.

Spotlight/News Analysis (21 Feb):

• Topic of Discussion: Presidents Address to the Parliament
• Expert Panel: Sumit Chakroborty (Editor Main Stream), Annapurna Jha (Senior Journalist)

Spotlight/News Analysis (20 Feb):

• Topic of Discussion: India Britain Bilateral Relation
• Expert Panel: Sasank (Former Foreign Secretary), Kamar Aga (Senior Journalist)

Admit Cards For J&K Combined Competitive (Main) Examination, 2012

Notification No. 20 – PSC(DR-S) of 2013

Select List for the posts of Assistant Controller, Legal Metrology
Department in Consumer Affairs & Public Distribution Department.

Whereas, vide this office Notification No. 55-PSC(DR-P) of 2012 dated: 19.09.2012, four posts (OM:04) of Assistant Controller, Legal Metrology Department in Consumer Affairs & Public Distribution Department w
ere notified; and Whereas, the interview of eligible candidates were conducted today on 19th of February, 2013 at J&K Public Service Commission Office, Resham Garh Colony, Bakshi Nagar, Jammu.

Now, therefore, on the basis of performance in the interview coupled with the weight-age in respect of academic merit, experience and other related parameters the General Merit List of Candidates who had appeared in the interview is enclosed as“

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Spotlight/News Analysis (19 Feb):

• Topic of Discussion: Kishanganga Verdict Indian Stand upheld
• Expert Panel: A.N. Ram (Former Diplomat), Simran Sodi (Foreign Affairs Editor - The Statesman)