Aspirants for the civil services face a different pattern of examination from 2011. With the new format, candidates answer two objective type papers which are the general studies paper and the general aptitude paper. Consequently, the Civil Services preliminary examination will be referred to as Civil Services Aptitude Test (CSAT). There are no changes planned for the format of the main exam and interview.
Both the papers of the CSAT will carry equal marks. It is completely transparent in terms of marks and has no disparity. With everyone preparing in a similar pattern, all students have equal opportunity in the exam.The benefit of introducing aptitude tests in the civil service exam is that it assesses logical reasoning and thinking performance. It is based on multiple choice questions answered in exam conditions.
No subject influences, or can have an effect on an aptitude test. The emphasis will be on moral and ethical values, logical thinking and sensible decision making. With the implementation of the CSAT, it is possible to choose better and more competent civil servants who have the right aptitude. It will also bring the use of scaling systems to an end. Civil servants will thus be chosen based on their ability of handling tough decision making skills required of civil servants and not based on their expertise on a single subject.
Eligibility Criteria for CSAT
The eligibility for The Civil Services Aptitude Test is given as follows:
Age: The candidate should have attained the age of 21 years and must not have attained the age of 30 years.
Nationality: The subject should be an Indian National either by birth or otherwise. Or
A subject of Bhutan Or
A subject of Nepal Or
A Tibetan refuge
Educational qualification: The candidate should posses a valid degree from a recognized university.
PAPER PATTERN
The UPSC CSAT 2012 will have two compulsory Papers of 200 marks each and of two hours duration each. All questions are of objective type. The marks scored in the CSAT 2012 are used for determining qualified candidates for the Civil Services (Mains) Exam 2012 only. The CSAT 2012 score (marks) will NOT be carried overto the next stage (Civil Services Mains Exam 2012)
UPSC CSAT (Civil Services Aptitude Test ) has two papers
Papers I tests the General Awaress.
Paper II tests Logical Resoning skills/Decision making skills/problem solving skills/Communication skills/mental ability/analytical ability/Comprehension skills/numerical aptitude/Data interpretation/English Language Comprehension skills
Preliminary Exam (CSAT) Syllabus
Paper I - (200 marks) Duration: Two hours
Current events of national and international importance
History of India and Indian National Movement
Indian and World Geography - Physical, Social, Economic geography of India and the World.
Indian Polity and Governance Constitution, Political System, Panchayati Raj, Public Policy, Rights Issues, etc.
Economic and Social Development Sustainable Development, Poverty, Inclusion, Demographics, Social Sector Initiatives, etc.
General issues on Environmental ecology, Bio-diversity and Climate Change - that do not require subject specialization
General Science.
Paper II - (200 marks) Duration: Two hours
Comprehension
Interpersonal skills including communication skills;
Logical reasoning and analytical ability
Decision making and problem solving
General mental ability
Basic numeracy (numbers and their relations, orders of magnitude etc.) (Class X level), Data interpretation (charts, graphs, tables, data sufficiency etc. -Class X level)
English Language Comprehension skills (Class X level).
Questions relating to English Language Comprehension skills of Class X level (last item in the Syllabus of Paper-II) will be tested through passages from English language only without providing Hindi translation thereof in the question paper.
The questions will be of multiple choice, objective type.
