UPSC Syllabus 2011 receives mixed reactions from the candidates

In a major decision, Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has made the significant changes to the exam pattern and syllabus of preliminary examination of the session in 2011. Prime Minister has approved the proposal for introduction of Civil Services Aptitude Test (CSAT) in place of the existing Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination which will not have any optional paper.

The candidates will have to now sit for two compulsory papers that will cover subjects like Indian polity, governance and communication skills. Subjects in Paper I include current affairs, international events, Indian history, Indian national movement, India and world geography, Indian Political system, Economic and social development, environment, Biology, climate change and general knowledge.

Paper- II will have subjects like general science, interpersonal skills, including communication skills, logical reasoning and analytical ability, decision making and problem solving, general mental ability, basic numeric ( numbers and their relations, orders of magnitude, Data interpretation (charts, graphs, tables, data sufficiency etc Class level), & English language Comprehension skills (Class level) will also be included in Paper II.

There has been mixed reactions from the candidates from different parts of the country as those who have already been preparing for Preliminary exams would have to start again and put focus on the Aptitude Test.