UPSC starts issuing admit cards to prelims

• Puts up link on its website to download e-admit cards
• Last date to download is Aug 24

New Delhi: Amid uncertainty over the change in pattern of civil services examination, Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) on Thursday started issuing admit cards to the aspirants for the preliminary exam scheduled to be held on August 24.

The UPSC has put up a link on its website for students to download e-admit cards for the prelims. The link to download the admit cards is available till August 24, according to information put up on the UPSC website.

A three-member government appointed committee is looking into the demands of civil services aspirants to change the pattern of the Civil Services Aptitude Test (CSAT) to give level-playing field to those coming from rural areas.

"Government will decide on the issue within another 2-3 days," Minister of State for Personnel, Public grievances and Pensions Jitendra Singh had said.

Singh had earlier urged the UPSC, which conducts the civil services examination to select IAS, IFS and IPS officers among others, to postpone the preliminary exam in view of the students demand.

There has been no change in the date of civil services preliminary examination, which is August 24, according to the admit cards being issued to the candidates.

There are two compulsory papers of 200 marks each in the preliminary examination. These papers are also known as CSAT I and CSAT II.

The CSAT-II paper carries questions on comprehension, interpersonal skills including communication skills, logical reasoning and analytical ability, decision-making and problem- solving, general mental ability, basic numeracy, and English language comprehension skills (of Class X level).

Students have been objecting to the level of aptitude and English language questions being asked in the CSAT II paper claiming they are much above the standard prescribed for the examination.