City students feels that the need to create a level playing field for candidates
A file photo of protesting students aganst CSAT format in Civil Services examination in New Delhi (Photo: PTI/File)
Bengaluru: Even as thousands of candidates protest in New Delhi against the mandatory English language comprehension skills in the Civil Service Aptitude Test (CSAT), saying that it damages the chances of candidates from Hindi and other regional languages, candidates from the city have a different perspective. They feel that the need of the hour is to create a level playing field for candidates from different backgrounds like science and engineering, humanities and arts and commerce.
They are convinced that the ongoing protests are primarily aimed at protecting the supremacy of candidates from UP and Bihar, who used to enjoy the lion’s share of the UPSC civil services examinations, till a few years ago when they started losing out to candidates from other states.
According to Mr. Hrishikesh Aradhya, who is preparing for the UPSC preliminary examination scheduled on August 24, the issue has been blown out of proportion. “The CSAT syllabus is moderate and far from tough. I have been preparing for the Civil Services examination for the last two years.
“Even though I am planning to take Kannada as one of the optional subjects, I depend mostly on English books and magazines for my preparation. So I am not finding CSAT a challenge. I don’t know why this stir is being carried out,” he questioned.
“Till a few years ago, when I was nurturing the dream of pursuing IAS, my friends suggested that I go to Bihar as they have excellent coaching centers there. But today aspirants from Bihar are joining coaching classes here. Dominance of Hindi candidates is almost over in the final selection list. Now, CSAT is blamed for it and this fiasco is being created,” he added.
Mrs. Shilpa P. Rao, a teacher and another aspiring candidate, also expressed similar apprehensions. According to Mrs. Rao, the CSAT syllabus is matriculation level. “It is very easy and even an average student can crack it. Which is why there is no need for all this hue and cry,” she said.
According to a serving IAS officer who wished to stay unnamed, this issue is very sensitive and it can’t be resolved by street protests.
“On one hand the ruling party is being blamed for the protests as it was always pushing for the supremacy of the Hindi language. But I don't want to politicize the issue. UPSC introduced CSAT after thorough discussions with all the stake holders. Candidates could have demanded that they provide more attempts instead of insisting on scrapping of this paper. English has become part and parcel of today's administration. So CSAT with matriculation level syllabus should not be removed,” he opined.
Prof. G.K. Karanth, renowned social scientist, has a different point of view. According to him the government is speaking more and more about good governance and the very concept of good governance is not limited only to local governance. It means reaching out even to the non-locals. Today good governance has extended till the international level. So linguistic ability, knowledge is very crucial.
To add to this, an officer is sent to tens of portfolios, departments in his tenure, irrigation, transport, education, defence, space etc. “So knowledge of English helps one to get adjusted to the requirements of the new position quickly. The Anti-CSAT agitation is expected to bring Hindi and other local languages to the fore again. This does not mean good days ahead for us,” he predicted.
( Source : dc correspondent )
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