The "UPSC" C-SAT row

                It was the year 2011,UnionPublic Service Commission introduced CSAT (Civil Services Aptitude Test)  for the first time thus  revamping the pattern of exam for the prelims. Basically the whole exam, which serves as a gateway for an aspirant to become IAS-IPS and other Group A officer, comprises of three stages - first the prelims(two papers and is purely objective MCQ based with negative marking) then mains (full subjective consisting of total nine papers) and finally the Interview, to decide merit only the mains and interview score are taken into consideration. Earlier in the prelims there were two papers, the first one called as General Studies which covers everything from science, Indian Constitution , Indian Economy, our culture, modern India and world History , India and world geography, current affairs  and the second paper would be of any one subject (to be chosen from the list of allowed subjects) by the candidate as per his/her will. In 2011 the paper-I was kept as it is, but paper-II was scrapped and in its place an aptitude test was introduced. The syllabus of paper-II was set to test comprehension , interpersonal skills, logical analytical reasoning, situation based reaction (SBR) and basic class Xth level Maths . Thus the question arises why such fuss? when virtually every exam is taking  aptitude test why is it being resisted, and why now? To understand this we need to know some background.

                The prelims paper-I is such a hard nut to crack, that the average scores of aspirants (qualifying prelims) runs around 80 to 90 out of 200 marks , and since the CSAT paper has been introduced, the average score of paper-II has surged from 80 to 100 range to 150+ out of 200 . If one deeply looks at the weightage allotted to different sections for paper-II, it is found out that almost forty percent is comprehension, and the rest reasoning, SBR and aptitude.

                It is said that the sometimes the translation of english comprehension passages done in the question paper is of such ultra shudh Hindi level that cannot be understood and at other times in total contrast to its English counterpart conveying a different picture of the passage , this acts as bane rather than boon to Hindi medium candidates. Such discrepancy was not expected when the CSAT reforms were introduced, as candidates thought they would be able cope up with the new pattern, but that did not happen. It is any ones guess that when an aspirant is unable to score in the such "scoring" part of the exam, they do not cross the cut-off . It also alleged, that step motherly treatment to non-English background candidates are done in interviews as well, according to one such Hindi-medium candidate in the pre CSAT era he qualified and reached the Interview, but much to his surprise during interview he was asked to answer in English only, he couldn't make it to the final list, post CSAT the same candidate has not been able to qualify even the prelims , by the way qualifying mains is in itself a humungous task. The charge on UPSC has been confirmed by final result of last three years, which clearly shows of steep-fall in the percentage candidates not making it to the final list, candidates of Hindi as well as other regional languages.

                It has been very clearly demanded by hindi medium candidates that they do not want any subsidy or walk over, but a level playing field. The previous government had formed a committee but for some reason the report never reached the Ministry of Personnel, now MODI sarkar was concerned and had fast tracked the process asked for report and at the same time urged UPSC not to hold the prelims exam scheduled on 24 August, everything was fine with candidates waiting for report to come and expecting that subsequent to it matter will be sorted out. But then UPSC steamed-up the situtation by releasing the admit cards which provoked the aspirants making them fell that things will remain status-quo even this year. This lead to lot of dharna pradarshan so that the pressure on government mounts and they actually act to address the issue. There also a rumor that the committee appointed is likely to recommend a pro-CSAT (English) report, this has added up to the flare up.

                It is very disheartening to see that when just before this "mother of all exams " absolute peace of mind is required so that all energy is put into the preparation and the "head" remains cool for optimal utilization, the candidates are forced to go through the inordinate ordeal . The lapse has been on both the government and the UPSC, they have failed to mutually work together and get things lined. The constitutional body UPSC has an exemplary past, holding high professional practices, very rarely it has been charged of being biased, such charges and protests against it, portrays shoddy picture also it will erode the confidence of candidates in it. While the committee ponders over recommendations to be made , the wanna be IAS-IPS fraternity waits for their concern to be addressed.