Changes in civil services exam patterns have been approved by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, paving way for a new format which will give more weightage to general studies.
The decision came on the recommendation of a Committee constituted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), which conducts the prestigious examination annually.
At present, the civil services (main) examination has General Studies Paper I and II of 300 marks each, including Compulsory and Optional subjects. As per the new changes, both the general studies papers will have more weightage.
The report of the Committee, under the chairmanship of Prof Arun S Nigavekar, former chairman, UGC, was examined by the Department of Personnel and Training. It was then put up before the Prime Minister for final approval.
"The new format has been by and large approved (by the PM). A notification will soon be issued," DoPT Secretary PK Misra said.
Minister of State for Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions V Narayanasamy had, in a written reply to Rajya Sabha, said the UPSC had suggested certain changes in the existing scheme of civil services (main) examination to make it more relevant with the present day, on the basis of the report of the committee.
The notification will have the details of the new format, another senior DoPT official said.
The UPSC conducts civil service examination to select candidates for three All India Services — Indian Administrative Service, Indian Police Service and Indian Forest Service — besides scores of Group A services.
It has temporarily withhold issuance of a notification for this year's civil services examinations, which was scheduled to be put out early this month.
"The civil services examination, 2013 was scheduled to be notified on February 2, 2013. However, due to some unforeseen circumstances, this examination will not be notified on February 2, 2013. The revised date of notification will be intimated in due course," an order issued by the UPSC said.
