UPSC 2011

The examination system of the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) is updated from time to time to keep it in harmony with the changing environment. In regard to the Civil ServicesExamination (CSE) the Prime Minister has approved the proposal for introduction of Civil ServicesAptitude Test (CSAT) in place of the existing Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination. The CSAT is expected to come into effect from Civil Services Examination, 2011.

This information was given by the Minister of State in the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions, Shri Prithviraj Chavan in written reply to a question in Lok Sabha today.

CSAT will not only enable us to choose civil servants with right aptitudes but also end the use of scaling system, a matter of concern to some.

From 2011 onwards there will be change in the pattern of the Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination as students will be tested with a Civil Service Aptitude Test (CSAT) which focuses on analytical abilities rather than their ability to memorise.

Students would have to give two objective-type papers that have emphasis on testing their "aptitude for civil services" and "ethical and moral dimension of decision-making". These two papers will have equal weightage and will be common to all candidates and will replace the common paper (general awareness) and the optional paper (subject of choice). "The CSAT is expected to come into effect from 2011," Minister of State in the Ministry of Personnel, Prithviraj Chavan, told Lok Sabha on Wednesday.

Nearly 1.7 lakh candidates take the objective-type exam in May every year. However the second and third stage of the exam, CS (Main) and interview respectively may remain the same till a committee of experts evaluates the system and submits its report. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has approved the revamp of the exam on the suggestion of the Union Public Service Commission. An official said regarding the CSAT, "The new system will also provide a level-playing field and equity, since all candidates will have to attempt common papers unlike the current format which provides for only one common paper." The UPSC had told the government two years ago there was a need to test not just the knowledge of aspirants in particular subjects but their aptitude for a demanding life in the civil services.

"The committee has been given time till April-end. Then the UPSC will discuss its recommendations with the government and finalise the content of the paper," the official added. The UPSC had earlier recommended bringing down the number of attempts a candidate could take. But the PM has kept this aspect on hold.