UPSC recommends changes in civil services preliminary test with Aptitude Test

Convinced of the need to bring about changes in the method of recruitment, theUnion Public Service Commission has recommended to the government that a Civil Services Aptitude test replace the existing Civil Services (Preliminary) examination.  It has proposed two objective-type papers common to all candidates.

“The emphasis will be on testing the aptitude of the candidate for the demanding life in the civil service, as well as on the ethical and moral dimensions of decision-making,” UPSC Chairman D.P. Agrawal said here on Thursday. The scheme would test the candidate’s decision-making skills and aptitude for civil services, and provide a level-playing field and equity, as all candidates would have to take common papers. A reduction in the number of attempts at the civil servicesexamination was needed, Prof. Agrawal said.  The Chairman emphasised the need to track the performance of selected officers during the formative years. The UPSC should also be kept posted of the feedback so that the selection process could be modified in the near future.

Zee News: With a view to focus on aptitude of candidates to meet challenges of demanding life in civil services, the UPSC on Thursday advocated replacing the existing Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination with an Aptitude Test.

"UPSC is convinced of the need for important changes in the method of recruitment to the higher civil services that are the vehicle for public service delivery. One of the recommendations made by the Commission to the government is that a Civil Service Aptitude Test replace the existing Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination," UPSC Chairman, Professor D P Agrawal said.

The proposal is to have two objective type papers that are common to all candidates. The emphasis is on testing the aptitude of the candidate for the demanding life in the civil service, as well as on ethical and moral dimensions of decision-making, he said.

"It has also been proposed that the structure of the Civil Services (Main) Examination may remain the same till a Committee of Experts, that may be appointed by the Commission, goes into various aspects," Agrawal said during the inauguration of UPSC lecture series on governance, here.

The UPSC chairman said "Careers in public service have become more attractive in the context of a better emoluments regime, as also on account of the changes in the global economic scenario. This places a responsibility on the government system to tailor procedures and careers to suit the newer vistas."

Exam on computer : The UPSC received over one million applications for all 14 regular examinations and other recruitment examinations it conducted every year. The Commission would switch to examination through computers once it got the government nod, he said.

Courtesy: The Hindu