ShivSena condemns UPSC move

Sena condemns UPSC move

Mumbai: The Shiv Senacontrolled Sthaneeya Lokadhikar Samiti (SLS) protested at Hutatma Chowk on Wednesday to condemn the UPSC’s latest move to drop the option of regional language in its exams. SLS chief and Sena leader Gajanan Kirtikar said: “The decision to drop Marathi will see outsiders appearing for the UPSC exams and occupying key positions in the state .” ‘UPSC exam changes will ensure level playing field’ Manash Pratim Gohain TNN 

 
New Delhi: Candidates for the civil services examinations and experts have unanimously welcomed the changes announced by the UPSC on Tuesday. The “overdue” step, they said, would create a “level playing field” and produce “better candidates for administration”.
    Among the major changes to be introduced in the current year are an English language paper, the score of which will be taken into account in the final selection for various elite services and top central jobs; higher weightage to general studies (GS); and testing aspirants for “ethics, integrity and aptitude”.
    “The changes have more or less ensured that all the candidates are on an equal footing now. By completely changing the weightage in favour of GS, the Commission has made the exams more diverse and broad-based. Therefore, it’s a positive change considering the challenges being faced by the administration. Introduction of ethics, integrity and aptitude under GS is another welcome move,” said founder CMD, Chanakya IAS Academy, A K Mishra.
    The exam as is widely known is conducted in three phases — preliminary, main and personality test (interview). The changes are meant only for the main examination. The pattern for the preliminary one remains unchanged.
    “It’s good that the GS papers will be divided into specific topics/subjects rather than have a general approach. Overall good pattern,” said Sainira Marak, a student of organic chemistry at North-Eastern Hill University and an aspirant.
    The new pattern is also expected to reverse the trend in the overall selection process. The earlier pattern used to help candidates who opted for high-scoring engineering or science subjects and mathematics. It was felt that getting high scores in science, engineering or medicines papers was easier than obtaining good marks in humanities and language papers and, therefore, the old system used to test aspirants unfairly. Those who are going to appear for Civil Services Exam 2013 are claiming that gone are the days when scoring high in the optionals by rigorous coaching and rote learning at the last moment could get you through.
    Unlike the earlier pattern, which often favoured aspirants with subject knowledge, the UPSC has now introduced four general studies papers of 250 marks each instead of two papers of 300 marks each. The general studies papers will carry 1,000 marks henceforth.
    Besides, there will be two optional papers of 250 marks each instead of four papers of 300 marks each earlier. The weightage of the optional papers (subjects) will also be reduced from 1,200 to 500 marks. The total marks for the main exam will be 1,800. Besides, the personality test carries 275 marks. 

 
FRESH PATTERN
    New pattern aims to provide a level playing field to science/ engineering and humanities students
    Additional English language paper of 100 marks (part of Paper I) to test aspirants’ comprehension and writing skills. Marks will count during shortlisting of candidates for IAS, IFS, IPS, IRS and other govt jobs
    For the first time, general studies papers will gauge aspirants’ ethics, integrity and aptitude
    Other language papers not compulsory anymore
    Four general studies papers of 250 marks each to replace two papers of 300 marks each