New Changes announced by UPSC in Civil Service Examination 2013

IAS Exam or Civil Service Examination in India conducted by Union Public Service Commisiion (UPSC) is considered as the top most exam in the country to select IAS, IFS, IPS, IRS and other prestigious central jobs. UPSC has announced major changes in its IAS Examination process.The exam conducted in three phases — preliminary, main and personality test (interview). The changes announced this time is only for the main examination. The pattern for the preliminary one remains unchanged. The changes to be implemented with 2013 Civil Service Examination.

"The new pattern is 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."
- Times of India

Previous Changes - At a glance

The UPSC, which had changed the preliminary exam pattern in 2011 infusing elements of aptitude test, had last time brought a minor change in the main exam pattern in 1993 when it introduced an additional paper of essay of 200 marks.

What are the new changes in IAS 2013 ?

Changes have been made in three important areas like, General Studies, English Languages and Optional Subjects.

General Studies 

• 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.
• This new paper having 250 marks will use the case study approach to determine ethics, integrity and aptitude of candidates. 

 "New General Studies paper will include questions to test the candidates' attitude and approach to issues relating to integrity, probity in public life and his problem solving approach to various issues and conflicts faced by him in dealing with society." 

-UPSC

English language paper

  

• The score  taken in English language will be taken into account in the final selection. 
• Under the new pattern, UPSC continued with the essay paper having 200 marks, but it also introduced an additional English language paper worth 100 marks. 
• English language paper will test aspirants in their comprehensive and writing ability - in tune with the demand of modern-day administration, where English has become a mainstay of official communication across the country.

Optional Papers
 

• 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 will also be reduced from 1,200 to 500 marks. 
• The total marks for the main exam will be 1,800. 

Interview

Interview willcarry 275 marks.
 

Other Changes

The new pattern will also spare candidates of compulsorily qualifying other language papers like Hindi or any of the VIII Schedule language. Earlier, candidates had to qualify in English and other language paper whose marks were, however, not counted for short-listing the aspirants.

Preliminary exam this year will be held on May 26. Candidates will be able to file their online application till April 4.