Q&A
1. What is the concern raised by the parliamentary panel about civil service recruitment?
The panel is concerned about the higher number of engineers being selected as civil servants, leading to a loss of exceptional doctors and engineers from specialized fields.
2. What percentage of candidates selected in recent years have technical or medical backgrounds?
Over 70% of candidates selected in recent years through the UPSC Civil Services Exam had technical or medical backgrounds.
3. What did the panel recommend to address this issue?
The panel recommended a comprehensive reevaluation of the UPSC recruitment procedures.
4. How has the educational background of selected candidates changed over the years?
The percentage of engineering candidates has increased from 46% in 2011 to 65% in 2020, while medical candidates decreased from 14% to 4% in the same period.
5. What are the suggested improvements in the recruitment process?
The committee suggested reducing the test duration to six months and adopting computer-based examinations.
6. What other aspects did the panel emphasize for civil servants' improvement?
The panel highlighted the need for civil servants to undergo training to develop a human touch, empathetic approach, and better handling of law and order situations, given their crucial role as intermediaries between the government and the general populace.
Considering the importance of the subject, there are some MCQs given below:
1. What is the main concern raised by the parliamentary panel about civil service recruitment?
a) High number of engineers selected as civil servants
b) Lack of technical expertise in civil services
c) Decrease in the number of medical candidates
d) Inefficient recruitment process
Answer: a) High number of engineers selected as civil servants, leading to a loss of exceptional doctors and engineers from specialized fields.
2. What percentage of candidates selected in recent years have technical or medical backgrounds?
a) 40%
b) 50%
c) 70%
d) 90%
Answer: c) 70%
3. What did the panel recommend to address the concern about engineers dominating civil service selections?
a) Increase the number of medical candidates
b) Revamp the UPSC exam format
c) Reevaluate the recruitment procedures
d) Lower the educational eligibility criteria
Answer:c) Reevaluate the recruitment procedures
4. How has the educational background of selected candidates changed over the years?
a) Engineering candidates increased from 14% to 65%
b) Medical candidates increased from 4% to 65%
c) Engineering candidates increased from 46% to 65%
d) Medical candidates decreased from 14% to 4%
Answer:c) Engineering candidates increased from 46% to 65%
5. What are the suggested improvements in the recruitment process?
a) Increase the test duration
b) Adopt paper-based examinations
c) Reduce the test duration to six months
d) Use online examinations on a yearly basis
Answer:c) Reduce the test duration to six months and adopt computer-based examinations.
6. What did the panel emphasize for civil servants' improvement?
a) Enhance technical expertise
b) Improve communication skills
c) Develop a human touch and empathetic approach
d) Increase legal knowledge
Answer:c) Develop a human touch and empathetic approach, and better handling of law and order situations.