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.

"The new format has been by and large approved by the PM. A notification will soon be issued," said P. K. Misra, DoPT Secretary.

V. Narayanasamy, Minister of State for Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, had in a written reply to Rajya Sabha, said the UPSC had suggested certain changes in the existing scheme of civil services (main) examination to make it more relevant with the present day, on the basis of the report of the committee. (ANI)

Courtesy: PIB