In order to find a permanent solution to the ongoing UPSC civil services examination row, the NDA Government had decided to convene an all-party meeting soon after the Budget Session of the Parliament. Even though the Government has not fixed any date for the meet, it is believed that it will be held after the preliminary examination of the civil services on August 24.
Parliamentary Affairs Minister M Venkaiah Naidu said the meeting would seek to bring convergence of views of all the members on the issue, besides knowing the stand of UPSC. “The Civil Services examination will be held as per schedule on August 24,” Naidu said in Rajya Sabha, leading to protests from Opposition members. The Opposition lead by JD(U)’s Sharad Yadav sought Government’s immediate intervention and demanded an all-party meeting during the ongoing session.
“There is no scope for postponement of examination this year. The issue requires deep study and discussion with political parties and other stakeholders as there are both sides of the argument about the CSAT in UPSC. After the Session, Government is ready to discuss it with all to reach a consensus,” Naidu told agitated members in both Rajya Sabha and lok Sabha.
The Government’s argument is that a comprehensive view has to be taken for the reforms in the examination pattern of civil services, and any hurry can cause further chaos. “Changes cannot be done overnight. The issue of different Indian languages being allowed needs to be debated and discussed. It cannot be done in 10-15 days. The exam will be held on August 24. We will take a view after in-depth discussions with all concerned including UPSC,” said Naidu while urging students to focus on their preparations than agitation.
In order to pacify the agitation members and the students, the Government, as a piecemeal measure, this week recommended that the Civil Services Aptitude Test (CSAT) will not be included in the overall gradation of a candidate. Minister for Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) Dr Jitender Singh also conveyed the Government’s view that those who had appeared in 2011 will be allowed another attempt in 2015.
The UPA Government introduced changes in the syllabus of the Civil Services Aptitude Test (CSAT) in 2011, replacing the existing Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination. The new syllabus replaced optional subject paper with a paper that tests the aspirants’ aptitude. The syllabus for this paper, protesting aspirants allege, is heavily tilted in favour of those from the Science or, more specifically, engineering background and is discriminatory against students from humanities, particularly those who have studied in Hindi-medium.
Protestors want the test to be scrapped alltogether. Many political parties are supporting the students. However, those against the protest say that any graduate should know enough to handle English language questions of Class X level .
The UPA Government introduced changes in the syllabus of the Civil Services Aptitude Test (CSAT) in 2011, replacing the existing Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination
The new syllabus replaced optional subject paper with a paper that tests the aspirants’ aptitude. The syllabus for this paper, protesting aspirants allege, is heavily tilted in favour of those from the Science or, more specifically, Engineering background and is discriminatory against students from Humanities, particularly those who have studied in Hindi-medium
Protestors want the test to be scrapped alltogether. Many political parties are supporting the students. However, those against the protest say that any graduate should know enough to handle English language questions of Class X level