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What is the 2011 UPSC Civil Services Aptitude Test?
Candidates for the 2011 UPSC Civil Services preliminary exams will no longer be answering the usual General Studies and Optional Subjects objective type question papers. In a move that is generating a buzz amongst aspirants, the minister of state for personnel Prithviraj Chavan announced that the Central Government has approved a Civil Services Aptitude Test (CSAT), instead of the regular civil services test for the year 2011.
The candidates will still take two objective tests but based on “aptitude” and “ethical and moral dimensions of decision making.” Unlike the marks up till now, these two papers will have equal weightage. The main exams and interview pattern continues to remain the same, until further notice.
The move came since the UPSC feels that “aptitude for civil services” is more important and relevant than mere subject knowledge. And hence, it wants to test the aspirant’s capabilities to succeed in as a civil servant considering that he or she has a tough role to play and tougher decisions to make.
Based on the recommendation of Administrative Reforms Commission and various other panels, the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) had recommended to the Central Government in 2009. This was under debate for the past few years as many experts felt that subject knowledge was not relevant to the actual work of civil servants.
What were the recommendations of the Alagh Committee?
According to the report, the structure of CSAT should contain the following:
(i) Basic awareness (nation and the world):
The general awareness of current affairs that has a bearing on public life in India;
(ii) Problem solving and analytical skills:
Logical reasoning and decision-making skills (situations from civil service arena to be taken to test reasoning and understanding of problems related to the same).
(iii) Elementary Arithmetic:
Data analysis ability; data interpretation/graphics/charts and so on; quantitative analysis.
What impact this is going to have on candidates preparing for 2011 civil services remains to be seen. Candidates wonder if they will get to know the type of questions for 2011 to help them prepare better. We’re sure the UPSC will answer the queries in the coming days.
The existing 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 23 Optional subjects. The proposed general studies paper might be tweaked but it is the second paper that will undergo a major change.
A top government official said UPSC chairman Professor D.P. Agrawal has constituted a high-powered committee – under former University Grants Commission vice-chairman Professor S.K. Khanna – to work out the details of the two papers. “The committee has been given time till April, 2010-end. Then the UPSC will discuss its recommendations with the government and finalise the content and syllabus of the paper,” the official said.
Civil Services Aptitude Test, 2011 – Confirmed
In a significant move, the government has agreed to a proposal to introduce Civil Services Aptitude Test (CSAT) in place of Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination.
“The government has approved the proposal for the introduction of Civil Services Aptitude Test (CSAT) in place of Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination,” Minister of State for Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions Prithviraj Chavan informed the Rajya Sabha, on 26.08.2010.
In CSAT, one of the optional subjects which a candidate could have chosen out of 23 optionals has been replaced with a common paper on aptitude test, he said, adding the syllabus of CSAT is being worked out.
The government will shortly notify the new scheme of examination giving details of the syllabus, he said in a written reply on 26.08.2010.
