Hyderabad: After demands from students from the Hindi belt to scrap the UPSC prelims CSAT exam, demands from students of other languages are also being heard to scrap the exam. Telugu students say that the review committee should introduce the prelim question papers in regional languages recognized by the Constitution.
The UPSC postponed the CSAT (prelims) exam this year after protests from students claiming that the Hindi version of the question paper wasn’t an accurate translation of the English version and thus put Hindi medium students at a disadvantage.
The Indian Telugu Civil Servants Association has also called for scrapping of the CSAT and introduction of the prelims question paper in all the 19 recognized regional languages.
“Put aside the quality and accuracy of the medium, if the CSAT allows for Hindi medium, why shouldn’t it allow Telugu or Tamil ?” asks a civil services aspirant said.The Association has also demanded that the interview Board put questions in regional languages preferred by the aspirants. Former civil servants say that from 2011, when the entrance procedure to civil services was altered, the number of students attempting the mains exam in Telugu has fallen drastically.
While about 28 aspirants had attempted Public Administration in Telugu in 2010, the figure fell to just 15 aspirants in 2011. About 27 aspirants had attempted the mains History paper in Telugu in 2010, while only 10 did so in the following year.
"If the UPSC is questioned why regional languages like Telugu are not introduced in the prelims, the answer is to reduce work load on the Commission. It is selfish justification," the ITCSA said.
"In the name of CSAT, if the UPSC gives prominence to English and Mathematics, what about those who come from rural areas and with social studies and arts background?" the ITCSA questioned. Aspirants also say there is a need for level playing field.
"Put aside the quality and accuracy of the medium, if the CSAT allows for Hindi medium, why shouldn’t it allow Telugu or Tamil?" N. Diwakar, a civil services aspirant said.
