No Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination from 2011-A New Recruitment Process of Civil Services Exam
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 Services Examination (CSE) ,the present Prelim Test consisting of one objective paper in General Studies(carries 150 marks )and one in the Optional subject(carries 150 marks ) is now being replaced by a Civil Services Aptitude Test (CSAT). This is expected to test candidates on their aptitude and analytical abilities rather than their subject knowledge.
The Aptitude Test (CSAT) will consist of two objective type papers:

(i) Aptitude for Civil Services

(ii) Ethical and moral dimension of decision making.

Both these papers will have equal weightage (shall be like two papers carrying 150 marks each)and will be common to all candidates. At present the prelims consist of two papers: the first is on general studies and common to all; candidates can then choose the second paper from a list of two dozen-odd subjects. But now it is the second paper that will undergo a major change-instead of one compulsory paper of General-Studies and one Optional paper, both the papers shall be compulsories.
The compulsory paper other than General-Studies, will test “aptitude for civil services”. It means testing the ability of decision making without compromising with moral and ethical values. Therefore it is ability of value based decision making instead of taking just facts based decision. It will reflect the candidate’s ability to analyse than ability to memorise.More clearly, it will be the test to sideline bookish candidates. The decision making ability or ability to analyse may be mostly judged from the topics of Public Administration. The moral and ethical aspects, of decision making may be judged from psychological parts like Motivation, Conflict-management, Administrative behaviour, Human behaviour, Psychology of individual as well as Social-psychology to understand crowd behaviour, Management by objectives and so on.
Altogether, the second objective paper may be a clubbed form of Public Administration, Psychology, Sociology, different economic situation, geographical conditions and technologies needed in the areas of security, intelligence, law and order, Revenue in regulating and controlling administration. It is to ensure result oriented civil servants rather than efforts oriented. The profile of this paper, as hinted by the UPSC, will be a very good blend of Public Administration, Psychology, Sociology, Information and Communication Technology, Economy, International deals and Diplomacy.
Finally, there shall not be any change in the Main Examination including Interview in 2011, as clarified by the minister concerned, on the floor of Lok-Sabha. The change in Main Examination will be made after examining the response to changes in the Preliminary Examination. This is, really, in accordance to “demanding life in presented civil services”.
Courtesy:
www.iupsc.com/upsc-replaces-civil-services-prelim-exam-csat/
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