Aspirants for the civil services will be facing a different pattern of examination from next year since the government has approved a proposal to introduce an aptitude test in place of the existing optional subject paper in the civil services preliminary exam to shortlist candidates for the main exam. The current pattern of the civil services preliminary exams was conceived in 1979 on the recommendations of the Kothari Commission. Since then, for 41 years, the preliminary pattern sustained with only some minor changes once in ten or fifteen years. But from 2011 onwards, civil services aspirants should prepare themselves for a sea change in how they prepare for the preliminary examination as the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has received the Union Government's approval for introducing the Civil Services Aptitude Test (CSAT) pattern.
With the new format, candidates answer two objective type papers which are the general studies paper and the General Aptitude Paper. Consequently, the Civil Services preliminary examination will be referred to as Civil Services Aptitude Test (CSAT). While only the pattern of preliminary exam changes, so far there are no changes planned for the format of the main exam and interview.
Both the papers of the CSAT will carry equal marks and is easy and helpful for graduates of all fields and disciplines. It is completely transparent in terms of marks and has no disparity, meaning an equal game to all. With everyone preparing on a similar pattern, all students have equal opportunity in the exam.
However there are many questions answered. To clear the cloud of dilemma Civil Services Chronicle is going to organize a 15 hrs orientation programme with India’s best mentors that will eventually help aspirants to device their strategy for GS and CSAT.