UPSC withdraws mandatory English norm in civil services exams

UPSC conducts the prestigious examination to select IAS, IPS and IFS officers

Amid a nation-wide controversy, the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has withdrawn changes suggested by it in civil services mains examination, dropping mandatory English language paper requirement.

UPSC, which conducts the prestigious examination to select IAS, IPS and IFS officers among other, issued a corrigendum on Tuesday restoring the earlier practice of two qualifying papers in any Indian language and English, the marks obtained on which will not be counted for ranking.

"The papers on Indian languages and English will be of matriculation or equivalent standard and will be of qualifying nature only. The marks obtained in these papers will not be counted for ranking," it said.

The aim of papers on Indian language and English is to test the candidates' ability to read and understand serious discursive prose, and to express their ideas clearly and correctly, the corrigendum said.

There will also be separate papers on "ethics, integrity and aptitude" and "essay" of 250 marks each for the candidates taking the mains examination.

The paper on ethics, integrity and aptitude will include questions to test candidates' attitude and approach to issues relating to integrity, probity in public life and his problem- solving approach to various issues and conflicts faced by him in dealing with society.

The aspirants will be required to write an essay on a specific topic and in their own choice of language.

Under the earlier controversial norm put forth by the Commission, a language would be allowed as the medium of examination only if a minimum of 25 candidates wanted it.

"It may also be noted that there is no change in the pattern of Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination, which will be held on May 26, 2013," UPSC said.