‘Reduce Ethics paper weight, CSAT to not exceed Class 10 level, release Prelims answer key sooner…': Former DGP of Uttarakhand on UPSC exam reforms

Indian Express

2 days ago

For UPSC aspirants, it is that time of year when they juggle their preparation between the Prelims and the Mains. With rising difficulty and increasing competition, the exam keeps students engaged year-round. And the hard work doesn't stop at the end of one year. Many aspirants who do not qualify on their first attempt continue the struggle for several more years — often during the prime years of their lives.
The popularity of the UPSC Civil Services exam, among both aspirants and their families, has cemented its place as one of the most coveted competitive exams in the country. And while the exam season brings its own intensity, the broader debate around UPSC reforms continues throughout the year. This year has been no exception.
In today's Expert Talk of UPSC Essentials by The Indian Express, Ashok Kumar, former Director General of Police (DGP) of Uttarakhand, speaks with Manas Srivastava about issues related to the UPSC exam and the Civil Services of India.
About our Expert: Ashok Kumar is a retired 1989 batch Indian Police Service officer of the Uttarakhand cadre, who served as the 11th Director General of Uttarakhand Police. He is currently the Vice-Chancellor of the Sports University of Haryana.
Ashok Kumar: I believe that the civil service is the only exam in India which changes your status overnight. Civil services continue to hold immense appeal among Indian youth, particularly those from rural backgrounds, because they offer a unique combination of status, authority, and the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of people. For many, especially from modest socio-economic settings, clearing the exam represents a transformative leap, not just in career but also in social standing. The prestige, power, and ability to contribute directly to governance and public welfare make it an aspirational goal for lakhs of young Indians every year.
The services offer a variety of jobs that can be rated quite high on job satisfaction scale. Aspirants are drawn to this variety, where one can grow continuously and explore multiple domains while staying in public service. The prestige, job security, and lifelong benefits associated with Civil Services remain unmatched in India. The structured career progression and power to influence public policy make it highly desirable even today.
Ashok Kumar: There has been a noticeable shift in the geographical and socio-economic background of candidates over the years. In my time, Bihar was a dominant contributor to the list of successful candidates accounting for nearly one-third of the selections. Today, while Bihar still plays a significant role, states like Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, and more recently, Haryana, have seen a surge in representation.
Another major shift is the increasing number of candidates from rural and modest backgrounds. Earlier, the majority of aspirants came from urban, service-class families, many already connected to government employment. Now, the field is more diverse, with greater participation from first-generation learners and rural aspirants, which is a positive development for inclusive governance.
As far as continuity is concerned, the exam remains as tough and uncertain as it was 36 years ago. However, the level of competition has increased, as the number of applicants has grown five-fold while the number of selected candidates has remained more or less the same.
Ashok Kumar: It is a well-known fact that the current UPSC exam pattern is one of the most rigorous and comprehensive selection processes globally. It is probably the only exam that, in its various stages, tests candidates' intellectual aptitude, general awareness, analytical skills, and ethical reasoning. The demand—especially in the All-India Services—is not just for intellectual capability, but also for leadership, emotional intelligence, resilience, decision-making under pressure, and a strong sense of public service.
If you ask me, in some respects, the current pattern is an improvement over the older examination format. During our time, we had to prepare two optional subjects. It made the entire exam process more demanding and increased the element of unpredictability significantly. If we look at the present structure (with common GS papers and the essay carrying 1250 marks), we will find that it brings more uniformity and fairness.
But certain other concerns need to be addressed:
Ashok Kumar: I believe that the introduction of the CSAT was a step in the right direction. This qualifying paper aims to assess candidates' logical reasoning and analytical abilities. These are essential skills for any civil servant, and therefore, candidates must be tested on them. They are crucial for administrative roles.
Having said that, the difficulty level of the paper must be reasonable and aligned with the exam's qualifying nature. The word 'qualifying' must be emphasized. For instance, when I saw the CSAT paper in 2023, I found the difficulty level comparable to that of the IIT entrance exams. One can't expect a qualifying paper to have such a high level of difficulty.
I am of the strong opinion that the CSAT should continue. However, its standard should not exceed the Class 10 level. What should be the goal of the preliminary exam's qualifying paper for civil services? The goal should be to ensure that every civil servant possesses essential cognitive reasoning skills. It should not create an undue hurdle for capable candidates from a non-science background.
Ashok Kumar: Aspirants, or all those who aim for the Civil Services Examination, must know that it is one of the toughest exams in the country. However, it is also one of the most rewarding exams that the youth of this country can pursue. The reason I say this is that it offers young minds a rare opportunity to serve the people and influence policy. If the youth want to bring about real change in society, the civil services are the answer. Thus, it is worth preparing for this career.
In order to succeed, there are no shortcuts. One needs to work both hard and smart. There are a few musts that aspirants should keep in mind:
Limit your study resources. Ensure they are the best for your exam preparation. Avoid information overload.
Consistency is key. At least 10 to 12 hours of focused study are required every day, especially over two years.
Make wise use of available guidance and mentorship. Have a clear thought process.
When answering questions in the mains exam and interview, remember to be clear, precise, and to the point.
Last but not least: stay patient, persistent, and believe in yourself.
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Manas Srivastava is currently working as Senior Copy Editor with The Indian Express (digital) and leads a unique initiative of IE - UPSC Essentials. He majorly writes on UPSC, other competitive exams and education-related projects. In the past, Manas has represented India at the G-20 Youth Summit in Mexico. He is a former member of the Youth Council, GOI. A two-time topper/gold medallist in History (both in graduation and post-graduation) from Delhi University, he has mentored and taught UPSC aspirants for more than four years. His diverse role in The Indian Express consists of writing, editing, anchoring/ hosting, interviewing experts, and curating and simplifying news for the benefit of students. He hosts the YouTube talk show called 'Art and Culture with Devdutt Pattanaik' and a LIVE series on Instagram and YouTube called 'You Ask We Answer'.His talks on 'How to read a newspaper' focus on newspaper reading as an essential habit for students. His articles and videos aim at finding solutions to the general queries of students and hence he believes in being students' editor, preparing them not just for any exam but helping them to become informed citizens. This is where he makes his teaching profession meet journalism. He is also the editor of UPSC Essentials' monthly magazine for the aspirants. He is a recipient of the Dip Chand Memorial Award, the Lala Ram Mohan Prize and Prof. Papiya Ghosh Memorial Prize for academic excellence. He was also awarded the University's Post-Graduate Scholarship for pursuing M.A. in History where he chose to specialise in Ancient India due to his keen interest in Archaeology. He has also successfully completed a Certificate course on Women's Studies by the Women's Studies Development Centre, DU. As a part of N.S.S in the past, Manas has worked with national and international organisations and has shown keen interest and active participation in Social Service. He has led and been a part of projects involving areas such as gender sensitisation, persons with disability, helping slum dwellers, environment, adopting our heritage programme. He has also presented a case study on 'Psychological stress among students' at ICSQCC- Sri Lanka. As a compere for seminars and other events he likes to keep his orating hobby alive. His interests also lie in International Relations, Governance, Social issues, Essays and poetry. ... Read More