Civil services: Suggestions on change of exam pattern sought

Tribune News Service

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Shimla, January 30

To invite suggestions from candidates, academicians, scholars and students to improve the new system, micro-level syllabus of switching over from the Himachal Administrative Services (HAS) system of written examination on the IAS pattern has been uploaded on the commission’s website (http://hp.gov.in/hppsc/) which may be implemented from 2017.

Chairman, Himachal Pradesh Public Service Commission (HPPSC), KS Tomar said on the pattern of IAS exams, the HPPSC has decided to abolish one optional paper to create level-playing field to all candidates who compete for HAS combined services exam. The task to formulate the syllabus was given to Prof J C Sharma, ex-member, HPPSC, who held discussions with professors of Himachal Pradesh University and stakeholders. He said sample papers of preliminary and main examinations would be uploaded after receiving the suggestions from candidates.

The final draft would lead to preparation of sample papers. The commission would scrutinise the suggestions. “The state government has already agreed in principle to adopt new pattern which may be replicated in other state public service commissions (PSCs)”, he added.

Tomar said 33 per cent material of Himachal’s history, heritage, culture, geography and socio-economic field would be added to three compulsory papers. He disclosed that there would be no change in the existing compulsory papers of the preliminary examination, including Aptitude Test (200) and General Studies (200). As per new pattern, Aptitude Test would be of qualifying nature (33 per cent) whereas General Studies paper’s marks would be counted for the merit.

In the main examination, English (100) and Hindi (100) papers will be qualifying ones with 40 per cent marks. The marks of three General Studies papers (200 each), essay (100) and one optional subject (200) would be counted for finalising the order of merit of candidates for interview. The marks of interview (150) would remain unchanged, he added.