Expert Talk | ‘Reduce Ethics paper weight, CSAT should not exceed Class 10 level, release Prelims answer key sooner…’: Former DGP of Uttarakhand on UPSC exam reforms

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.

Manas: What do you think drives the immense popularity of Civil Services among Indian youth today? Why is it still seen as such a coveted career?

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.

Manas: When you compare the UPSC exam and the kind of candidates it selected during your time to those it selects today, what are some major changes and continuities you have observed?

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.

Manas: Do you think the current UPSC exam pattern effectively identifies candidates who are truly suited for a career in Civil Services? If not, what changes or reforms would you recommend?

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:

• The marks obtained in the Preliminary exam should be released—at the very least—after the Mains, so that aspirants have clarity on where they stand. Currently, the official answer key for the Prelims is released by the UPSC almost a year later, which is highly problematic.
• The time gap between the Prelims and Mains exams is too short. In earlier years, candidates had around five months to prepare; now, the window is significantly narrower. Aspirants deserve a reasonable amount of time to prepare effectively for the Mains after clearing the Prelims.

• The Ethics paper in the Mains stage of the exam carries significant weightage. However, high marks in it don’t necessarily reflect a candidate’s real-life ethical conduct. I would suggest reducing its weightage to 100 marks. Instead, greater emphasis should be placed on the practical evaluation of ethics during training and service.
• The Preliminary examination has become excessively unpredictable. It is concerning that a candidate securing a top 10 rank one year might not have cleared the Prelims multiple times. Such inconsistency creates unnecessary stress and undermines merit. There should be a standardized level of difficulty each year—ideally with one-third of the questions being easy, one-third moderate, and one-third challenging. This would help distinguish between average, good, and outstanding candidates more accurately and fairly. The focus should shift from rote memorization to conceptual understanding and analytical ability, even in objective-type questions.
• Personality assessment should carry more weight for attributes such as an inclination toward public service and life skills like empathy.

Manas: Back in 2013, the CSAT paper stirred a lot of debate—especially from non-maths and non-science students who found it challenging. What’s your take on this change and the continued debate around it?

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.

Manas: Every year, approximately 10 lakh students appear for the Civil Services Examination. Many others, even if they don’t appear, still dream of joining the civil services. What is your advice to them?

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.

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• 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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For more suggestions regarding UPSC Reforms, you can mail Manas Srivastava at manas.srivastava@indianexpress.com