UPDATE 1: Read Below to see how Newspapers Interpret it as both change and no change.
UPDATE 2: Interestingly, in an article published in Jagran Josh, Manoj K Jha had indicated the change in pattern and CSAT being made qualifying as early as January 22, 2015. Click here to read what he has to say now.
UPDATE 3: How the ambiguous wordings are being interpreted differently – click here
According to a clarification from the Govt:-
The Government has approved the following in respect of Civil Services Examination:• An Expert Committee would be constituted to comprehensively examine various issues raised from time to time namely, eligibility, syllabus, scheme and pattern of Civil Services Examination.
• Till such time the Government takes decision on the recommendation of the above Committee, the General Studies Paper-II(CSAT) in the Civil Services(Preliminary) Examination will remain a qualifying paper with a minimum qualifying marks fixed at 33%.
• The English Language comprehension skill portion from General Studies Paper-II of Civil Services(Preliminary) Examination will continue to remain excluded.
• The above decisions are incorporated in the CSE Rules-2015.
UPDATE 2: Different Newspapers have conflicting views about pattern change
1. Indian Express Says No Change in Exam Pattern – click here
Ignoring a demand by sections of aspirants, the Centre on Wednesday decided to continue with the controversial aptitude test in the civil services preliminary examination and also set 33 per cent minimum qualifying marks.
2. Times of India report says – No change – click here
After today’s decision, the civil services examination, 2015 will be held as per the 2014 pattern, i.e. with questions on aptitude to be part of second paper and marks of English section not to be included for gradation.
3. Outlook says no change – click here
After today’s decision, the civil services examination, 2015 will be held as per the 2014 pattern, i.E. With questions on aptitude to be part of second paper and marks of English section not to be included for gradation. However, candidates need to secure minimum 33 per cent qualifying marks in it. Earlier, there were no such minimum qualifying marks requirement.
4. Governance Today was the first one to interpret it differently – Click here
The controversial CSAT paper will now be a qualifying paper in the Civil Services Examinations, said a press release by ministry of personnel, public grievances & pensions issued on Wednesday.
5. Times of India Does a U Turn – Says Pattern Change: Click here
The government on Wednesday amended the Civil Services Examination rules to make the controversial aptitude test in prelims exam a qualifying paper in a big concession to students from non-English and humanities background who dubbed the earlier pattern as ‘elitist’ and favouring those from public school and science background.
6. Times of India also announces that minimum qualifying marks in Language Paper ( Mains ) has been reduced
In another major change related to the Mains examination, the minimum qualifying score for the Indian language paper has been reduced from 30% to 25%.
Its the wordings. of the press release:
It says-
the General Studies Paper-II(CSAT) in the Civil Services(Preliminary) Examination will remain a qualifying paper with a minimum qualifying marks fixed at 33%.
Interpretation 1- “Will remain qualifying”
This can be interpreted as Status Quo. The words are “remain” and not change. Secondly. the Civil Services Notification of 2014 declares the Prelims Paper 1 and Paper 2 as qualifying in nature. So nothing has changed. See below:-
Interpretation 2 -“Qualifying Paper”
This can be interpreted as qualifying like the language papers in Mains Examination. If so, then this means that you need to just score 33% marks or 67 out of 200 in CSAT Paper II and your selection will depend on your GS Paper Score.
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