Himachal public service panel studying UPSC exam pattern

The Himachal Pradesh Public Service Commission will explore possibilities to adopt the new pattern of examination as that of the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) for state administrative services, an official said here Monday.

A three-member committee was constituted Monday and will submit its report within three months, said journalist and panel chairman K.S. Tomar.

He said the commission has decided to study the pros and cons of the shifting pattern for Himachal Pradesh Administrative Service (HAS) combined competitive (main) exams that will help avoid duplicity of efforts of the candidates appearing in civil services.

Tomar said since the existing state exams were similar to those of the UPSC civil services (main) exams, it has become imperative for the commission to consider the changes made by the UPSC for the conduct of the civil services (main) exams.

He said switching over would bring rationality and equity in the examination and would remove redundancies. It would also bring simplicity in the pattern of examinations.

"At present, candidates work hard for HAS combined written examinations but they hardly get benefit of their laborious work if they want to compete for UPSC examinations," Tomar said in a statement.

"Majority of the subjects of HAS examinations are not suitable for UPSC examinations, hence candidates have to make fresh preparation. After the introduction of the new UPSC pattern in our HAS combined examinations, the candidates can opt those subjects which are chosen by them during HAS combined written test for appearing in civil services too," he added.