The Delhi High Court has urged the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) to promptly decide on a plea seeking a reduction in the cut-off marks for the Civil Services Aptitude Test (CSAT) conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC). The plea, filed by a group of aspirants, sought to lower the qualifying marks from 33 percent to 23 percent for part 2 of the CSAT exam, which is a crucial component of the Civil Services Examination.
In response to the petition, a vacation bench consisting of Justices C Hari Shankar and Manoj Jain declined to grant interim relief and disposed of the case. However, they directed the CAT to expedite the hearing and decide on the matter expeditiously, adhering to the principles of natural justice.
The plea challenging the CAT’s June 9 order, which denied the aspirants any interim relief, was brought by a group of candidates who felt that the current cut-off marks for the CSAT exam were too high. They argued that a reduction in the cut-off percentage would provide them with a fairer opportunity to qualify for the Civil Services Examination.
The CSAT exam, which was introduced in 2011, measures aptitude and analytical abilities of candidates for selection to various civil services posts. However, it has faced criticism for allegedly favoring candidates with a background in science and engineering, as the paper includes questions that rely heavily on quantitative and logical reasoning. As a result, candidates from humanities and other non-technical backgrounds have often found it challenging to meet the higher cut-off marks.
The reduction of the cut-off percentage from 33 percent to 23 percent, as advocated by the petitioners, would potentially level the playing field for candidates from diverse academic backgrounds. It could prevent a scenario where candidates with strong technical skills dominate the examination, while those with different skillsets are left at a disadvantage.
It remains to be seen how the CAT will address this plea and whether they will provide any relief to the concerned aspirants. The decision in this matter will have a significant impact on the future direction of the CSAT exam and its role in the selection process for civil services positions.
Overall, the plea for a reduction in the cut-off marks in the CSAT exam highlights the ongoing debate surrounding its fairness and the need to create a more inclusive assessment process. As the CAT proceeds with its deliberations, it is hoped that the outcome will strike a balance between evaluating candidates’ aptitude and ensuring equal opportunities for all aspiring civil servants.
