More time in prelims for visually challenged

Visually-challenged aspirants appearing for the Civil Services preliminary examination on Sunday will get extra 40 minutes each for two papers.

The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) said the decision was taken in compliance with a Delhi High Court order of August 19. “All the visually impaired category candidates appearing for the Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination, 2014 to be conducted by the UPSC on 24.08.2014, will be allowed an extra time of 20 minutes per hour for both Paper-I and Paper-II of this examination,” a statement said.

This would mean that the candidates will be allowed an extra time of 40 minutes for Paper-I and another 40 minutes for Paper-II of Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination, 2014, which will be over and above the duration of two hours per paper applicable to all other candidates, it said. It also asked candidates not to attempt questions on English language comprehension skills in Paper-II of the preliminary exam.

“The questions on English language comprehension skills (of Class X level) contained in each set of test booklets of Paper-II are not to be attempted as these questions shall not be evaluated for gradation or merit,” it said.

The Civil Services preliminary examination will thus comprise two compulsory papers, 200 marks each, minus the maximum marks allocated to the questions on English language comprehension skills, the UPSC said.

“The candidates are, therefore, advised not to attempt questions on English language comprehension skills for which Hindi translation has not been given in the respective test booklets of Paper-II,” it added.

UPSC rules

Read ‘important instructions’ issued along-with e-admit Cards

Do not to bring mobiles, calculators, IT gadgets or any other communication devices like Bluetooth

Any infringement shall entail disciplinary action, including ban from future examinations

Do not bring any costly items and bags to exam halls, as safekeeping of the same cannot be assured