Call for Change: Rethinking the Civil Services Aptitude Test

BJP MP Brij Lal has called for the abolition or rationalization of the Civil Services Aptitude Test (CSAT) due to its disproportionate representation of engineers and its barrier to diversity in civil services. Lal emphasized the need for a level playing field for all candidates across different educational backgrounds.

BJP Rajya Sabha member Brij Lal has urged the government to address the Civil Services Aptitude Test (CSAT), which he claims hinders diversity in public service recruitment. Speaking during Zero Hour, the UP representative highlighted the skewed representation favoring engineers in the civil services.

Lal revealed that the upcoming Civil Services Preliminary Examination includes the GS-1 and CSAT papers. While the GS-1 paper contains 100 questions, the CSAT features 80 questions demanding a 33% qualification score, complicating success for humanities and arts candidates.

Labeling CSAT as the primary barrier to diverse recruitment, Lal demanded either the abolishment or rationalization of the test. He also criticized the lack of transparency for candidates who don't clear the CSAT, advocating for fairer treatment in the recruitment process.

(With inputs from agencies.)