Civil Services Exam 2013 Notification has come out on 5th March, 2013 and together with it has come the much waited news on the changes ma...
Civil Services Exam 2013 Notification has come out on 5th March, 2013 and together with it has come the much waited news on the changes made in Civil Services Exam Pattern. This change was a topic of much discussion, since only Prelims exam was changed w.e.f. Civil Services Exam 2011 - there was no change of Mains exam till this year i.e. CSE 2013.
This article is therefore being posted with an analysis of the Civil Services Exam, by comparing the new exam pattern with that of old pattern, so that you can instantly know what changes have been brought about in Civil Services Exam 2013 and prepare accordingly.
First: Changes in Civil Services Prelims Exam 2013 Pattern:
This must cheer up your mind: There is no change in Civil Services Prelims Exam 2013 pattern - this is same as the previous two years - CSE 2011 & CSE 2012. There are two objective type question papers of two hours duration each - and each paper worth 200 marks.
Not only the exam pattern, but also the syllabus of Civil Services Prelims Exam 2013 has not been changed - it has been retained same as the previous two years. Actually, UPSC had already brought out a massive change in the exam pattern in CS Prelims 2011 by introducing the concept of CSAT (Civil Services Aptitude Test). That is why the exam pattern of Civil Services Prelims Exam 2013 has been retained. You can find more about exam pattern of Prelims exam in my article titled: Civil Services Prelims Exam Pattern, Syllabus, Papers & Books.
But although the pattern of exam has not been changed in CS Prelims - yet it has also bring out a major change for those persons who want to take IFS (Indian Forest Service) exam this year - Civil Services Prelims Exam 2013 would be used to screen candidates for IFS exam 2013. In other words, to appear in IFS exam 2013 now it is mandatory to appear and qualify CS Prelims 2013. Till last year (i.e. IFS Exam 2012), one could take IFS exam directly.
Yes, whatever change has been done in Exam Pattern of Civil Services - it has been done in Mains exam only - and I think the main beneficiaries of the changes in CS (Mains) would be the candidates appearing from general disciplines - humanities etc. The advantages that candidates from technical disciplines (engineering etc.) would no longer exist.. And Why is that?
Because weigtage of Optional Papers in Civil Services Mains Exam 2013 has been reduced from 60% to around 28% from this year - at the same time weigtage of General Studies Papers has been increased from 30% to about 56% and English language increased from 10% to almost 17%. Thus candidates from all disciplines are going now to have a level-playing field.
Let us find the comparison of Civil Services Mains Exam Pattern - Old Vs. New.
You can find the paper-wise subject-wise Civil Services Mains Exam Pattern till 2012 as given at right.
Till previous year, CS Mains exam had nine papers - out of which Paper-I & II (with green background as at right) were of qualifying nature only.
The remaining 7 papers of CS Mains exam had the mark-distribution as given in the table. There were only two General Studies paper, while four Optional subject Papers.
Total marks till CS Mains 2012 was 2000.
On the other hand, you can find the new exam pattern of Civil Services Mains 2013 paper-wise subject-wise in the table at left.
Now there are seven papers in total - all papers would be used for merit (i.e. No qualifying nature Paper-I & II as previously).
Also total marks in CS Mains 2013 has been reduced - its 1800, unlike 2000 previously.
Comparative Analysis of Change in Civil Services Mains Exam:
By comparing above CS (Mains) exam pattern data, you can find the following subject-wise changes:
English:
Increase in Marks:100; Weight: 6.67%.
Increase in Marks:100; Weight: 6.67%.
General Studies:
Increase in Marks:400; Weight: 25.56%.
Increase in Marks:400; Weight: 25.56%.
Optional Subject:
Decrease in Marks:700; Weight: 32.22%.
Decrease in Marks:700; Weight: 32.22%.
In addition to above changes in the Civil Services Mains Exam 2013, there is a slight reduction in the marks allotted for Personality Test - from CS 2013 onward, there would be 275 marks. Till last year marks for Personality Test was 300.
Following graphic clearly illustrates the Changes brought about from Civil Services Mains Exam 2013.
Summary of changes in the exam pattern of Civil Services Mains Exam:
To sum up this article, following are the changes brought about in the new exam pattern of Civil Services Mains Exam 2013:
1.0 Marks and weigtage increased in English & General Studies while reduced in Optional Subject:.
2.0 Total number of papers reduced from nine to seven.
3.0 Number of papers increased in General Studies (from two to four).
4.0 Number of papers reduced in Optional Subject (from four to two).
5.0 No qualifying nature paper (i.e. Paper-I & II as previously). All papers would be used for merit.
6.0 You can choose any of the language given in page-12 of the notification as an Optional subject, provided only if you have graduated with the literature of that languages as the main subject in graduation.Previously this clause was not there.
So that's it - hope with above information on new exam pattern of Civil Services Exam you can start your preparation easily and crack the exam. I am writing on following topics subsequently and I feel they should be useful to you:
1.0 Civil Services Prelims 2013 Notification, Eligibility & Forms.
2.0 Civil Services Prelims Exam Pattern, Syllabus, Papers & Books.
3.0 Civil Services Mains Exam Pattern, Syllabus, Papers & Books.
Best Wishes!
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