The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) successfully conducted the Civil Services Prelims examination for the year 2023 on Sunday, witnessing a commendable turnout. The exam took place in two sessions, the first from 9.30 am to 11.30 am, and the second from 2.30 pm to 4.30 pm. Among the aspiring candidates from Hyderabad district, a total of 27,132 students out of 45,611 applicants appeared for the exam, indicating a 59.49 percent attendance rate.
On a national scale, over five lakh individuals took part in the examination, which was conducted across various centers throughout the country. In Telangana state, the exam centers were set up in Hyderabad and Warangal, while in Andhra Pradesh, the exam was held in Vijayawada, Visakhapatnam, Tirupati, and Anantapur.
This year, the number of notified vacancies stands at 1,105, a higher count compared to previous years. The first session of the exam comprised questions from multiple domains, with a significant emphasis on current affairs and ecology. Furthermore, candidates noted that the questions also touched upon India’s role in the global arena.
According to a director from an IAS academy, “The questions indicate that prospective civil servants are expected to possess a strong foundational knowledge and broad-based preparation, along with the ability to think on their feet. The answer choices were closely aligned, and luck would play a role in identifying the correct option.”
The forenoon session included 13 questions on current affairs, 11 on Economic and Social Development, 12 on History & Culture, 3 on General Science, 17 on Indian Polity and Governance, 20 on Environment and Ecology, 15 on Geography, and approximately 9 questions on General Knowledge.
Suma K., one of the aspirants who selected political science and international relations as her optional subjects, expressed that both papers presented their own challenges. She remarked, “The level of unpredictability in the exam was astonishing. It was unlike any papers in previous years. There was no reference point to gauge how well it went. At this point, it seems more like a game of luck rather than pure knowledge.”
She further stated that the papers placed more emphasis on specific topics such as permutations, combinations, and probability, which students from non-engineering and non-math backgrounds might have found difficult to solve.
Even those students who typically have ample time to go through the exam found the papers to be lengthy and challenging to complete within the allotted time.
The results of the Civil Services Prelims examination are expected to be announced after June 15, 2023.