Reforms in civil services examination

UNSTARRED

QUESTION NO

2584

ANSWERED ON

17.08.2011

REFORMS IN CIVIL SERVICES EXAMINATION

2584 .

SEEMA UPADHYAY

Will the Minister of

PERSONNEL,PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS

be pleased to state:-

(a) the recommendations made by the Y.K. Alagh Committee to Suggest reforms in the pattern of Civil Services Examinations; (b) the recommendations of the said Committee that have been implemented; (c) whether nine questions of English were compulsory in the Preliminary Examination of Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) held on 12th June, 2011; (d) if so, whether it is justified for Hindi medium students; and (e) if not, the details in this regard? ANSWER Minister of State in the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions and Minister of State in the Prime Minister's Office (SHRI V. NARAYANASAMY) (a) & (b): The salient recommendations of the Y.K. Alagh Committee pertained to the areas of eligibility parameters of candidates appearing for Civil Services Examination, scheme of Preliminary and Main Examinations, Personality Testing, allocation of Services and post-induction issues of training and management of services. While the Committee's Report was under examination, the Second Administrative Reforms Commission (ARC) was constituted on 31.08.2005 to consider the various issues including refurbishing of personnel administration. As per terms of reference, the Commission was also to take into account the material and reports available on the subject. The Second ARC has considered the recommendations of Alagh Committee, and has submitted 10th report entitled" Refurbishing of Personnel Administration – Scaling New Heights". Thereafter, considering recommendations of the Alagh Committee, Second ARC and recommendations of the Expert Committee constituted by UPSC, changes in the Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination have been introduced from Civil Services Examination (CSE), 2011. Till Civil Services Examination, 2010, there was one paper of General Studies which carried 150 marks and a second Paper where the candidate had the option to choose from 23 optional Papers, carried 300 marks. Under the revised pattern there are two papers each carrying 200 marks. The details are annexed. (c): Yes, Madam. (d) & (e): Under the existing Civil Services (Mains) Examination, there is a compulsory paper on English carrying 300 marks which is of qualifying nature. Thus, inclusion of English Language Comprehension Skill under the new scheme, would help preparedness of a candidate for taking Civil Services (Main) Examination. ANNEXURE REFERRED TO IN REPLY OF PART (a) & (b) OF LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2584 TO BE REPLIED ON 17.08.2011 From Civil Service Examination – 2011, Preliminary Examination would consist of Paper I and Paper II. The syllabus and pattern of the Preliminary Examination would be as under :- (Paper I) (200 marks) Duration : Two hrs # Current events of national and international importance # History of India and Indian National Movement # Indian and World Geography – Physical, Social, Economic, Geography of India and the World # Indian Polity and Governance – Constitution, Political System, Panchayati Raj, Public Policy, Rights Issues, etc. # Economic and Social Development – Sustainable Development, Poverty, Inclusion, Demographics , Social Sector Initiatives, etc. # General issues on Environmental ecology, Biodiversity and Climate Change – that do not require subject specialization # General Science (Paper II) (200 marks) – Duration : Two hrs # Comprehension # Interpersonal skills including communication skills # Logical reasoning and analytical ability # Decision making and problem solving # General mental ability # Basic numeracy (numbers and their relations, orders of magnitude etc.) (Class X level) and Data interpretation (Graphs, charts, tables, data sufficiency etc.) (Class X level) # English Language comprehension skills (Class X level)