English marks not be included for gradation: UPSC to aspirants

The marks of English Language Comprehension Skills, asked in second paper of civil services (preliminary) examination, will not be included for gradation, the government said today.

"The union government has decided that for the civil services (preliminary) examination, 2014 to be held on August 24, this section on English Language Comprehension Skills (Class X Level) will not count for gradation or merit," it said in a release.

Candidates must, therefore, note that they do not have to answer these questions. They will not be evaluated, the release said.

The Paper II of the examination is of 200 marks and of two hours duration.

"The duration of the Paper II would remain two hours and candidates can utilize the entire time in answering all questions except those in the section containing English Language Comprehension Skills," it said.

The maximum marks for Paper II would be "200 minus the marks earmarked for the English Language Comprehension Skills".

A controversy had recently erupted over the pattern of civil services preliminary examination as students demanding change in the pattern of Civil Services Aptitude Test (CSAT), Paper II had taken to the streets waging a violent agitation .

Minister of State for Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions Jitendra Singh had on August 4 also said in Parliament that English section marks will not be included for gradation or merit in civil services exam.