2011 Civil Service aspirants may appear again in civil services exam in 2015

MoS Personnel Jitendra Singh said in a brief statement Singh said, "Candidates, who appeared in Civil Services Examination 2011, may be given one more attempt in 2015."


Government is of the opinion that in the Civil Services Preliminary examination, Paper-II, the marks of the question section on 'English Language comprehension skills' should not be included for gradation or merit," MoS Personnel Jitendra Singh said seeking to mollify the agitating candidates.

Committee submits report on civil services exams

A committee formed to look into the possibilities of bringing changes in pattern of civil services examination among others submitted its report to the government on 31-07-2014

The three-member committee under the chairmanship of former Secretary of Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) Arvind Varma was formed in March this year to look into demands of students for changes in the pattern of civil services examination.

The report will be examined by the government before taking a final view, official sources said, adding a decision whether to postpone the August 24 civil services preliminary examination will be taken after perusing it. The students have been demanding that the pattern of Civil Services Aptitude Test (CSAT) be changed to give level-playing field to those coming from rural areas.

There are two compulsory papers of 200 marks each in the preliminary examination. These papers are also known as CSAT I and CSAT II.

The CSAT-II paper carries questions on comprehension, interpersonal skills including communication skills, logical reasoning and analytical ability, decision-making and problem- solving, general mental ability, basic numeracy, and English language comprehension skills (of Class X level).

Students have been objecting to the level of aptitude and English language questions being asked in the examination claiming they are much above the standard prescribed for the examination.

The civil services examination is conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) in three stages--preliminary, main, and interview--to choose candidates for Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Foreign Service (IFS) and Indian Police Service (IPS) among others.

Source : ddinews.gov.in
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UPSC to go ahead with prelims exam

NEW DELHI: Even as the government is yet to decide on the grievances of civil services aspirants against the Civil Services Aptitude Test (CSAT), which they claim is loaded against students opting for Hindi medium, the UPSC has started issuing admit cards for the preliminary examination scheduled for August 24.

A link on the UPSC website, available from Thursday, directs students to download e-admit cards for the prelims exam.

According to sources in the government, though a committee headed by former secretary (personnel) Arvind Verma is looking into the grievances against CSAT pattern and was recently asked to submit its report at the earliest possible, there is a slim chance of any postponement of the prelims exam. This is because the prelims this year are already behind the normal schedule. In 2013, prelims exam were held on May 26.

2-yr age relaxation for civil service exams

recently approved two additional attempts for all categories of candidates beginning with the Civil Services Examination, 2014, and okayed the consequential age relaxation across the board.

Under the existing rules, an unreserved or general category candidate is permitted a maximum of four attempts with the age limit for such candidates to take the examination being 30 years.

But from this year onwards, unreserved category candidates will get six attempts until 32 years of age, the Ministry of Personnel said in a statement on Tuesday.

There is no restriction on the number of attempts by candidates belonging to Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs).

But the age limit for such aspirants has now been extended by two years from 35 to 37 years, it said.

Till last year, the stipulation was for a total of seven attempts and an age limit of 33 years for aspirants belonging to Other Backward Classes (OBCs).

But as per the revised norms, an OBC candidate will now get nine attempts until 35 years of age.

Physically handicapped candidates in the general and OBC categories will now be eligible for nine attempts as against the seven at present.

They will also get age relaxations of 42 years for general and 45 years for OBC candidates.

There is no cap on the number of attempts by physically handicapped candidates in the SC and ST categories while there will be an age limit of 47 years for them as against the present 45 years, the statement said.

The Civil Services Examination (Preliminary), 2014, is tentatively scheduled to be held on 24th August this year.

The examination is conducted by the Union Public Service Commission to select officers for the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Police Service (IPS) and Indian Foreign Service (IFS), among others.

Information courtesy  : http://www.ddinews.gov.in/National/National%20-%20Headlines/Pages/civilexams.aspx