The UPSC, convinced of the need for important changes in the method of recruitment to the Civil Services, recommended to the government that a Civil Services Aptitude Test (CSAT) replace the existing Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination.
As per the new pattern, at the Preliminary Examination stage,

• There will be two objective-type question papers common for all the candidates.
• Both these papers will have equal weightage (200 marks each).
• The emphasis will be on testing the aptitude of the candidate for the demanding life in the civil service and on the ethical and moral dimensions of decision-making.

1. testing a candidate’s decision-making skills and aptitude for the civil services; and
2. Providing a level playing field for all the aspirants since all the candidates will have to attempt two common objective-type papers.

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