UPSC exam row: English language marks not to be counted

New Delhi, March 28: The revised format for the Union Public Service Commission (

) where English was a mandatory paper has been reversed. This change comes after the new format gave rise to a lot of controversy. However, there will not be any change in the pattern of the preliminary civil services paper.

A statement was issued by them clarfying that the earlier mandatory English language paper would be only of qualifying nature. "The papers on Indian languages and English will be of matriculation or equivalent standard and will be of qualifying nature only. The marks obtained in these papers will not be counted for ranking," it said.

The corrigendum further stated that the 'aim of papers on Indian language and English is to test the candidates' ability to read and understand serious discursive prose, and to express their ideas clearly and correctly'.

The aspirants will be required to write an essay on a specific topic and in their own choice of language. Under the earlier controversial norm put forth by the Commission, a language would be allowed as the medium of examination only if a minimum of 25 candidates wanted it.

"It may also be noted that there is no change in the pattern of Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination, which will be held on May 26, 2013," UPSC said.

UPSC had on March 5 issued a circular giving more weightage to English language. The move had led to an uproar inside and outside Parliament forcing the government to keep it in abeyance on March 15.

OneIndia News (With inputs from PTI)