Change in IAS prelims pattern to support rural aspirants

The prospects of rural and semi urban aspirants of the all India civil services are now brighter, thanks to changes in the preliminary exam pattern from this year.

The Government notified that one of the two papers in the prelims (screening test), the Civil Services Aptitude Test (CSAT), will only be a qualifying paper.

This means the marks scored in CSAT, or the General Studies II paper as it is officially called, would not be counted, provided the candidate scores a minimum of 33 per cent marks in this paper.

Instead, the general studies paper I will be taken into consideration for ranking successful candidates for main examination.

The preliminary exam is scheduled to be held on August 23.

About 4.5 lakh candidates applied for the preliminary exam held last year of which 18,000 people were qualified.

In the results announced last month, about 3,300 candidates have been called for interviews which are currently on for 1,291 vacancies.

Since its introduction three years ago, the CSAT paper has been seen as benefiting urban students and technology and management graduates as it tests reasoning and little mathematical aptitude besides English language and comprehension abilities of the candidates.

The new pattern is definitely going to benefit rural and semi urban candidates as well as non-technology graduates because CSAT has become a glass ceiling for them since its introduction.

The new pattern removes the edge for management and technology graduates and will make it more representative.

The profile of candidates appearing for civil service has also undergone change for the last three years, thanks to CSAT with more B.Techs and MBAs preferring to take the exam because of their experience in preparing for similar tests such as IIT entrance and CAT.

The profile of both aspirants as well successful candidates is bound to change from this year onwards.

As indicated by the Government, they could be more changes in the pattern once the committee to be constituted will give its recommendations.

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Courtesy: The Hindu