UPSC states Civil Services Exam duration cannot be curtailed due to confidentiality and integrity needs
The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has informed a parliamentary panel that the duration of the one-year Civil Services Examination (CSE) cannot be shortened. Despite an increase in candidates and venues, the time cycle has been optimized, prioritizing confidentiality and integrity through various checks and balances. The UPSC explained that evaluating 1.2 lakh descriptive answer scripts takes over two months, and the gap between the three phases (preliminary, mains, interview) is already minimized. While a panel recommended a comprehensive reassessment and timely release of answer keys, the UPSC maintains its current system of releasing keys after final results, stating it works well and is sub judice in the Supreme Court.
Key Points
- The UPSC asserts that the one-year duration of the Civil Services Examination (CSE) cannot be curtailed, citing the need to maintain utmost confidentiality and integrity.
- The examination process, involving preliminary, mains, and personality tests, has been optimized despite a significant increase in candidates and venues.
- Evaluating a large volume of descriptive answer scripts and managing the three phases of the exam inherently requires a substantial time frame.
- The UPSC defends its policy of releasing answer keys only after the declaration of final results, stating it serves the public interest well and is a practice followed in all examinations.
- A parliamentary panel had recommended reforms, including a clear timeline for Baswan Committee's reforms and earlier release of answer keys, but UPSC maintains its current stance.
Exam Facts
- The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) conducts the Civil Services Examination (CSE).
- The CSE recruits officers for 19 civil services, including IAS, IPS, and IFS.
- The 2023 examination had 10.27 lakh candidates.
- The B.S. Baswan Committee was constituted in 2015 to examine various issues regarding the CSE.
Read it. Retain it. Recall it.
Get spaced-repetition flashcards, daily quizzes and offline access — free on Android.