JOIN USYet another challenge
The system of recruitment to the Civil Services in India has evolved over the years. The Union Public Service Commission has been contemplating on overhauling the system of examination since 2004.
The first step in this direction is its proposal to introduce a Civil Services Aptitude Test at the Preliminary Level from 2011. The Preliminary Examination will have two papers of 200 marks each and the syllabus for the two papers has been outlined as follows:
Paper-I: This paper is similar to the General Studies paper in the old pattern. It will comprise Current Events (National and International), History of India and the Indian National Movement, Indian and World Geography, Indian Polity and Governance, Economic and Social Development, General Issues on Environment and General Science.
A wide reading of the basics of almost all the subjects as well as contemporary events is necessary to score well in this paper. Questions will be of objective type with multiple choice answers and the questions will be in both English and Hindi.
Paper-II: This paper is the new introduction. It will comprise Comprehension, Inter-Personal Skills including Commun-ication Skills, Logical Reasoning and Analytical Ability, Decision Making and Problem Solving, General Mental Ability, Basics Numeracy, and English Language Comprehension Skills.
Questions will be of objective type with multiple choice answers and the questions will be presented in both English and Hindi (except the section on English Language Com-prehension Skills).
In the new pattern of exams, it is mandatory for candidates to appear for both the papers. However, in the previous pattern, aspirants could choose the papers of their choice. The Main Examination will continue in the old pattern.
The new pattern
Any change is unsettling and it is natural for an aspirant to be anxious about his ability to cope with change. Aspirants should remember that all are equally advantaged or disadvantaged when a change is introduced. It should also be remembered that only Paper-II has changed and an analysis of Paper-II reveals that it is of 10th class standard and tests the overall skills of an aspirant.
Comprehension: In this section, candidates have to answer questions based on 2 or 3 different passages of 150 words each on Current Affairs. Inter-Personal and Communication Skills: This section tests the ability of candidates to communicate effectively.
Logical Reasoning and Analytical Ability:
This section tests the logical and analytical ability of candidates and classifies them into three categories:
a) Individuals who cannot think correctly or coherently; b) Individuals who use their common sense and practical intelligence to survive in this world; c) Individuals who think cogently and logically and manage to prevail over others. Civil Services require people who belong to the last category.
Decision Making and Problem Solving: This section tests the decision making ability of candidates. A knowledge of the job profile of a civil servant, his environment, etc., would be necessary to solve these questions.
Mental Ability: This section tests the general mental ability of aspirants and will cover ratio and proportion, percentages, profit and loss, LCM and HCF , simple and compound interest, time and distance, time and work, probability, and permutations and combinations.
Basic Numeracy: This section covers similar areas like numbers and indices, mixtures and data interpretation. Candidates are expected to draw conclusions from data represented in charts.
English Language: This section tests the functional skills of candidates in English and covers areas like sentence correction, grammar, direct and indirect speech, sentence formation, precis writing, etc.
Coping with change
The UPSC has not released the model question paper as yet. Unless the model questions are released, candidates will not know the style of questions. Questions need not be exactly similar to those that appear in the banking or management entrance examinations. There may be a general flavour of areas from the Civil Services.
The syllabus of Paper-II is tilted in favour of candidates educated in the English medium in urban areas. They may not require to go through rigorous coaching for Paper-II.
Candidates from rural and semi-urban areas should take extra care if they are weak in English or have studied throughout in the regional media.
Aspirants who have shifted to Arts because of a dislike towards Maths in the 10th standard should take extra care and prepare for the section on Basic Numeracy.
Lastly, till the model paper is released, it is advisable not to commence preparation for Paper-II. However, prepar-ation for Paper-I should start immediately.
Civil servants of the 21st Century have to be much more professionally competent, sensitive, pro-active and action oriented. Let us hope that this new pattern of exams will facilitate the recruitment of such civil servants.