New batch of IAS aspirants all set for aptitude prelims

The prime minister has approved the proposal for the introduction of Civil Services Aptitude Test (CSAT) in place of the existing Preliminary Examination for the Civil Services Examination (CSE).

IAS Study Centre at SPIPA (Sardar Patel Institute of Public Administration) is all geared up to adapt to the curriculum change according to the new syllabus. In fact, on the very first day after the  announcement was made, introductory lectures were delivered.

According to the new syllabus, paper I includes current events of national and international importance, history of India and Indian national movement, Indian and world geography, public policy, poverty and others. CSAT's paper II will include general mental ability, inter-personal skills, logical reasoning and decision making.

The new aptitude-based test will come into effect from May 2011 exam. "We have been expecting this change, and our faculty members are fully prepared to teach according to the new syllabus" said JM Acharya, joint director at IAS study centre, SPIPA.
Started in 1992, the IAS study centre at SPIPA has produced 66 IAS officers till date. The current batch of students has just commenced their training from September 1. This is the first batch which will face the CSAT in the May 2011 exams.

According to the officials at the study center, this was a much-needed change. "CSAT will test the candidates on their aptitude and analytical abilities rather than their memorising ability," said an official at the study center.

CSAT has created buzz among the current batch of 72 students. According to some aspiring babus, this will give an edge to students from Gujarat over those of Delhi University, who are good at the optional subject paper. They feel that with the quality of education in Delhi being far better than our universities, the students from Delhi score higher in optional subjects, i.e. Physics or Literature. But, with the inception of CSAT, they are on equal grounds with Gujarati students.

Another group of students feel that candidates, who were good at mugging up optional subjects after giving 2-3 trials, will have to change their strategy now and start afresh. Some students feel that CSAT may aid candidates from engineering or science background. But, it is also possible that they cannot get through the finals. "Engineers may be good in solving sums, but they will get stuck in finals, because they are not good enough in other subjects," said an enthusiastic student.

"I am happy that now students of Gujarat will get a level playing field. I am sure our students will perform well in CSAT," said Acharya.