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CIVIL SERVICES FAQ

Students often have doubts at the time they begin IAS preparation for the IAS exams. But before they can start any preparations they are siezed by a number of questions. Here we address some of those questions that arise while you prepare for the IAS exams.

Q1. What is the restriction on number of attempts in the Examinations?
Ans. Number of attempts - General-4, OBC-7, SC/ST- No restriction

Q2. Is there any relaxation in number of attempts for physically handicapped?
Ans. No. However physically handicapped candidates belonging to SC, ST and OBC categories will be eligible for relaxation in number of attempts provided to such categories.

Q3. Can a candidate who has completed his education from an open school/ University apply for Commission’s Examination?
Ans. Yes, provided it is a recognized University and he possess the educational qualifications prescribed for the exam and is otherwise eligible.

Q4. Whether a candidate belonging to a community included in the OBC list of states but not in the Central list of OBCs is eligible for age relaxation, reservation etc. for Commission’s Examinations?
Ans. No. Only candidates belonging to communities which are included in the Central list of OBC’s are eligible for such concessions.

Q5. Can a candidate choose an optional subject, which he has not studied at graduate/PG level?
Ans. Yes.

Q.2. Is it necessary for a candidate to take the same optional subject in the Main Exam, which he had taken in the prelims Examination?
Ans. No.

Q.3. If a candidate has applied for the CS (P) Examination but has not appeared at any paper in the CS (P) Examination will it be counted as an attempt?
Ans. No. An attempt is counted only if a candidate has appeared in at least one paper in CS (P) Examination.

Q4. Is a candidate who has done his graduation without passing class X and class X11 eligible for Civil Service Examination?
Ans. Yes.
Q.5. Can a candidate write different papers of Civil Service (Main) Examination in different languages?
Ans. No, Candidates have the option to write their answers either in English or in any one of the Eighth schedule languages.

Q.6. Can a candidate write the Civil Service (Main) Examination in English and take the interview in Hindi or any other Indian language?
Ans. If a candidate opts an Eighth schedule language for the CS (Main) Examination he will have the option to take the interview in same language or in English.

Q.7. How to choose a subject?
Ans. Normally one should select optionals, which one is familiar with, or has at least studied till the graduate level. If you are not comfortable with the subject, you should not select the subject as an optional. But the choice should not only be as per your interests but also be baed on the study material available. Even science and engineering students take up subjects like history, sociology, anthropology, grography, political science, psychology and public administration because there is a huge amount of study material available in these subjects. Also keep in mind that you may have been proficient in a subject, but lack of touch may make it tougher to crack technical subject where freshers may do better. The competition is among the people who have opted for the same subject. One should top in his/her subject to succeed in the examination. The Point is, if you are an electrical engineer with 2 years of experience go for a new subject like pub adm or sociology.
Analyse the syllabus of previous years and the question papers, and analyse past trends. Get some feedback/advice from seniors and fellow students who are well versed in the subject. Remember no subject is bad. History is good if you can spend more than 4-5 hours everyday. Geography is a good option if you can spend at least 4 hrs every day. Pub Ad, more than 3 hours. Sociology, more than 2 hours and so on.... So, it all depends on how much time you can spend a day and your liking of the subject. You have a very good memory then a technical subject may help else a social subject would be better. Lastly look for overlap in subjects like, sociology and pubad; history and political science etc

Engineers and doctors still rule civil services exam

When the UPSC replaced the Civil Services Prelims Examination with the Civil Services Aptitude Test (CSAT) from 2011, the stated objective was to provide a level playing field with all candidates now given common papers.

The profile of the entrants selected on the new pattern, however, has not changed. Candidates with an engineering or medicine background have excelled, as they always have.

The batch that started its foundation course last week is the first one that cleared last year’s examination following the introduction of CSAT.

Among the top 264 entrants who last week started their foundation course at the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration in Mussoorie, 118, or 44.69 per cent, are from an engineering background. It actually marks a successive improvement from the 26.13 per cent of 2010 and the 34.84 per cent of 2011. The representation of those with a medicine background, too, has increased.

These 264 represent around 25 per cent of the total candidates selected for the civil services this year, with the remaining three-quarters taking their foundation courses in other academies. The profiles of these 264 have been put up on their academy’s website.

There is also a higher representation of candidates with a rural background, 70.45 per cent against last year’s 56.81, which had been lower than the 66.18 per cent of 2010. The age profile has changed only slightly. The average age is 26.79, a year below that of the previous batch. The proportion of entrants aged below 26 is 27 per cent; it was 29 per cent last time.

The representation of law-background candidates has remained largely unchanged across three batches. Commerce has dropped to three candidates from 9 last time, and arts to 20.45 per cent from 26.13.

“It is clear that even with CSAT, candidates from backgrounds such as engineering and medicine have an advantage over others,” says a Shastri Academy official who was part of team that analysed batch profiles. “CSAT has not been able to change the earlier trend.”

Says Ranjna Chopra, deputy director at the academy, “We have just put up facts provided by the entrants themselves. We cannot give an opinion.”

The analysis lists a UT along with four northeastern states — Pondicherry along with Nagaland, Mizoram, Meghalaya and Arunachal Pradesh — from where not a single candidate was selected. Unrepresented states numbered four last year and three in 2010.

The new pattern follows the recommendations of the Y K Alagh Committee, the Second Administrative Reforms Commission headed by M Veerappa Moily, and an expert committee constituted by the UPSC.

Anna Hazare answers all tough questions on the latest happenings of the India Against Corruption campaign
Current Affairs Quiz - new

The anti corruption campaign that seemed like equaling some of the most successful and invigorating mass movements in the country's history has suddenly become a sorry state of affairs. As the month of September closed, Anna Hazare issues a statement that has virtually blanketed out any chances of any reconciliation happening between him and the now politically motivated Arvind Kejriwal. Anna Hazare did not mince words and commented that Arvind Kejriwal had wrecked the strong anti-corruption campaign to pursue his political desires.

In his blog, Anna has repeatedly put forth the thought that he is not associated with the political project being led by Arvind Kejriwal in any way, and that the same had been initiated in utter violation of and disregard to his wishes. Anna has also repeatedly asked his supporters not to associate themselves in any way to the political movement. He categorically separated himself from the political charge up where people were, according to him, trying to use his name with the political project unwarrantedly.

Anna's blog has now made it very clear that there is no possibility of this veteran agitator continuing with Kejriwal, and this is in spite of the latter's repeated efforts to keep Anna Hazare involved in the latest happenings and media briefings. Arvind Kejriwal was obviously perturbed with Anna's open alienation from his political project, but maintained that his comrades and he would have Anna's blessings. Anna wrote on his blog that although Kejriwal's supporters were saying that they'd not continue with the political project if Anna wanted so, they were not actually doing it despite Anna making his wishes very clear. "This," wrote Anna, "is very wrong." When asked to comment on Anna's blog text, Kejriwal's comrades preferred withholding comments.

Accusations and suggestions that Anna could himself have some latent political motivations that could surface out in the time to come have been made. There were claims that Anna had met Baba Ramdev and a few pro-RSS representatives before sternly announcing his firm disassociation from Kejriwal's political efforts. However, Anna was again very clear in his words, commenting that the anti corruption movement had suffered because one faction wanted to take the electoral route. He said that he'd never do the same, and still work whole heartedly to get the Lokpal Bill passed before the Lok Sabha elections in 2014.

Another issue that has been popping up is regarding the collection and usage of funds. Anna has candidly put light on this, and has remarked that all fund collection that happened at Ramlila Maidan and Jantar Mantar was with India Against Corruption, and not even a single penny had been kept by him. The veteran agitator also mentioned that he would again collect funds to start up an office in New Delhi. Anna said he would need an office to make the movement stronger and grow till it achieved its purpose.