Press : Letter by Shri M. Venkaiah Naidu to the PM on regards changes in UPSC

15-03-2013
Press Release

14 March, 2013

Dear Dr. Manmohan Singhji,

I would like to draw your attention to an issue that concerns lakhs of young Indian aspirants to the posts in Indian Civil Services like the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Foreign Service (IFS), Indian Police Service (IPS) and a host of other Central Services.

The recruitment to these posts is done through a prominent All India competitive examination, popularly known as Civil Services Examination, conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) every year.  Lakhs of aspirants from all over the country compete and only a handful of them make it to these most sought after services after going through various levels of examination like Prelims, Mains, Interview, Group Discussion etc.

Until recently, this examination was conducted without any bias towards the language in which a candidate opts to write the examination or opts to take an optional paper in literature of any one of the regional languages enunciated in the 8th Schedule of the Constitution of India.  However, the UPSC has recently notified a few changes in the pattern of Mains examination which, inter alia, are as follows:-

  1. A minimum number of 25 candidates should opt for a specific language medium for answering the question papers in that language medium.  In case there are less than 25 candidates opting for any approved language medium (other than English or Hindi), then those candidates will be required to write their examination either in Hindi or English only.
  2. A candidate can opt  for the literature of a language as an optional subject, only if he/she has graduated in the literature of that particular language as the main subject.
  3. A candidate can answer in the regional language ony if that language was the medium of instruction in the qualifying graduate examination.
  4. Unlike in the previous years, now the marks secured in English language will be considered for final ranking

Sir, these stipulations are apparently discriminatory in nature and devoid of logic.   They clearly go against the interests of candidates from certain States, especially from non-Hindi speaking states.  These stipulations also harm   the   interests  of  the  applicants  from  rural  background as they are not proficient enough in English.  Earlier English was only a qualifying paper and now the marks are considered for determining the rank.  Obviously, this provision discriminates against rural students who studied in their regional languages.

Now it is a universal policy to encourage mother tongue so that the legacy of language is protected and preserved. I fail to understand why the UPSC has taken a contrary stand.

Hon’ble Prime Minister, the new regulations are creating heartburn and unnecessary controversy between Hindi and Non-Hindi speaking states in the country.  There are agitations going on in different parts of southern States.  An impression is doing rounds, and apparently for right reasons, that the changes will favour urban and English educated and discriminate against their counterparts.  You would agree with me that such a situation could better be avoided in the interest of country’s unity and integrity.

Sir, these changes are against the constitutional spirit and violative of national integration.  I am informed that the Chief Minister of the respective States have also taken up the matter with you.  The larger question being raised by one and all is why discrimination by the UPSC towards the regional languages.

Keeping in view the larger public opinion and larger interests of our young aspirants to this prestigious examination and also to ensure justice to all sections of the society, Mr. Prime Minister, I earnestly request you to kindly prevail upon the Union Public Service Commission or do whatever else is necessary to have all the contentious changes in the format of Civil Services Examination reconsidered and withdrawn.  I sincerely hope the matter receives highest attention and consideration at your level.

With kind regards,

Yours sincerely,


(M. Venkaiah Naidu)

Dr. Manmohan Singh,
Hon’ble Prime Minister of India,
7, Race Course Road,
New Delhi – 110 001.

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