SC candidates clearing civil exams a positive development,says SPIPA chief

According to details available with the SPIPA,15 of the total of 32 candidates having cleared the main examinations were SC and out of them,six cleared the interview as well.

However,only one of them — Gaurang Makwana — with rank number 233 is likely to get appointment in IAS under quota because there are only 170 IAS vacancies. All other candidates,including the two from general category and another from backward classes,will get appointment in allied services by their ranks.

He said previously very few candidates from Gujarat made it to the civil services. However,the trend has changed now and about one per cent of the total selected candidates are from Gujarat.

Giving the figures,he said number of candidates selected in 2006,2007,2008,2009 and 2010 were eight,four,eight,15 and eight respectively. It was again nine in 2011.

SPIPA annually provides training to 72 candidates for the civil services examinations. These candidates,according to Aggarwal,are selected through an entrance test and interview. SPIPA annually receives 4,000 to 5,000 applications.

Aggarwal said out of 72 candidates,around 60 per cent or 55 of them generally appear at the examinations. The rest are not able to take the examination due to various reasons.

The training is provided free of cost. Even hostel expenses are not charged from the candidates. From next year SPIPA is planning to select 100 candidates for the training,he further said.