Journalism of Courage
The Centre has decided to provide two additional attempts to candidates of all categories for the Civil service examination. It also provided for a relaxation in the minimum age of candidates if required.
The decision will come into effect from the 2014 civil service exam, a notification issued by the public grievances and pensions section of the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) said. The preliminary for the 2014 exam is tentatively scheduled to be held on August 24.
Presently, candidates from the open category get four attempts at passing the exam, while candidates from OBC categories get seven. The fixed age limit for these candidates is 30 and 33 respectively. Candidates from SC/ST communities have no cap on the number of attempts but have an age limit of 35.
The UPSC conducts the civil service exams to select members of the Indian Administrative Service, Indian Police Service and Indian Foreign Service among others. UPSC aspirants had staged a protest outside Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi’s house, demanding, among other things, a provision for additional attempts.
