UPSC to have aptitude test

Minimum qualifying marks will be 33 per cent

Ignoring a demand by sections of aspirants, the Centre on Wednesday decided to continue with the controversial aptitude test in the civil services preliminary examination and also set 33 per cent minimum qualifying marks. At the same time, it said an expert committee would be constituted to take a holistic view of the aptitude test.

Similarly, candidates who had appeared in the civil services examination in 2011 will get another chance this year. The move comes following an assurance given by the government in this regard last year.

The Department of Personnel and Training on Wednesday stated that an aptitude test will continue to be a part of civil services preliminary examination and there is no change in the pattern as of now.

Government said an expert committee will be constituted to take a holistic view of the aptitude test patter. “An expert committee would be constituted to comprehensively examine various issues raised from time to time namely, eligibility, syllabus, scheme and pattern of civil services examination,” a DoPT statement said.

Till such time the government takes decision on the recommendation of the committee, the general studies Paper-II (Civil Services Aptitude Test or CSAT) in the civil services (preliminary) examination will remain a qualifying paper with a minimum qualifying marks fixed at 33 per cent, the statement said.

“The English language comprehension skill portion from general studies Paper-II of civil services (preliminary) examination will continue to remain excluded,” the DoPT said.