In this rapidly changing world, every sector of our economy is witnessing reforms or is perhaps calling for reforms in order to keep pace with the volatile environment. Administrative sub-system, being an ‘open system’, also has to renovate and rejuvenate itself constantly. Otherwise if left to itself, will drag itself towards entropy or simply degeneration. Amidst this, a number of reforms have been put forward by the government for the civil services but one area that has escaped drastic change is the civil services examination itself. Though, a change in the form of introduction of Civil Services Aptitude Test (CSAT) and scrapping of Optional subject in the preliminary examination has been attempted this year, a comprehensive overhaul may justify the step taken. This article attempts to overview the examination process and suggests some changes.
From the last few years, Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has been trying to move away from rote learning to an application based conceptual understanding. This can be judged from the type of questions asked in the recent years. This is a welcome step because the earlier pattern gave undue advantage to candidates who have been preparing for some time. Presently, a candidate has to answer questions worth 300 marks in 3 hours. This breaks down to 6 minutes for every 10 marks (100 words). This does not include time wasted for signing for admit card, extra sheets and the occasional water break. Now when the questions have become more conceptual and analytical that requires more application of mind, it becomes difficult to put forward your point of view in a structured manner in the required time limit without compromising on the quality of the answer. As a result, candidates attempt initial answers carefully but have to speed up at the end. Though time management is the key to this examination, the present time limit seems insufficient. The solution can be that the number of questions can be reduced and the candidate be asked to give a structurally and conceptually balanced answer and marks given strictly on the basis of the quality of answers.
Secondly, there is an urgent need to update the syllabus and make it detailed as well. Many of the present issues for the administration must be included. For example, in Public Administration, International Affairs, Environment, International agencies, Communitisation etc can be included. Moreover, topics like regulatory authorities, disaster management should be detailed as these are huge topics in themselves. A candidate can’t be expected to know everything about the topics. Though, few years back some changes were brought about in the syllabus, this has to be a regular process as issues change as the time flows.
Thirdly, UPSC has also been trying, successful to some extent, to discourage students from joining and relying on coaching institutes. These institutes have been quite successful in inculcating rote learning in the students and this has even helped candidates to enter civil services without having the inherent zeal towards public service. The present change in the pattern of examination though tries to prevent candidates to join these institutes, it unconsciously is forcing many to do the same. By creating more uncertainty as to what kind of questions will come, the candidates are ever more leaning towards coaching teachers. This can be tackled by publishing some model answers of past year question papers. In GMAT (test for MBA examinations), Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC), that conducts GMAT, publishes standard answers for the retired past year questions. So a candidate can know how the test makers think. Similarly, UPSC can form a team of academicians and come out with model answers so that candidates can understand what the examiner looks for in the answers and therefore can prepare on his own. Ofcourse, these answers should only be tentative. In the same way, some standard sources must be listed for every subject so that in case of divergent views in different books, candidate can rely on only the official source.
Fourthly, the issue also props up whether the exam tests the candidates on the traits that are expected of an administrator. It would be pertinent to talk about Second Administrative Reforms Commission (SARC) that argued for scrapping of optional subjects and substitute them with common papers of General Studies that would comprise Economy, Constitution, Law, History, Geography etc. This is again a welcome initiative as some of the optional subjects do not test administrative traits at all. Infact, it has also been argued that many of the pressing issues such as land acquisition, civil society, Black money have not been asked. Therefore, the recommendations of SARC are worth following in this regard. Infact, papers like English and Indian language must also be tuned to what can be actually predict administrative qualities.
Fifthly, it is well noted that not all who take the examinations become civil servants. Those who miss even by few marks are not drastically different from those who get selected. Many of these candidates start coaching centers and this answers the flourishing of coaching centers. Government can take steps by inviting candidates who have taken Main examination to join other sectors. The marks of Main exam can be a criteria followed by an interview by the concerned department. This has already been done by Sports Authority of India (SAI). This can be extended for other comparable jobs.
It is no doubt, civil services examinations are the toughest examination in our country. Our administrators selected by way of these exams have done exceptional work in public sphere. This is the same civil service which was considered to be the ‘Steel Frame’ during the British Raj. When reforms have been the answer on all fronts, some changes in the examination process and pattern can better justify the response of administrative system towards the environment.
