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According to media reports, the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) is seeking a change in the way candidates are assigned to services such as IAS or IPS. The government is considering not only changing the way services like IAS and IPS are allocated, but also the way cadres are assigned. Many retired, serving, and aspiring civil servants are dissatisfied with the proposed IAS/IPS allocation.
Currently, allocation to services such as IAS, IPS, and others is based on marks obtained by candidates in the Union Public Service Commission’s Civil Services Exam (UPSC).
If the new proposal is approved, high marks in the Union Public Service Commission’s civil services examination will not be enough to get into the IAS, IPS, or IFS.
The PMO has investigated the feasibility of including an additional component – the marks obtained by candidates in the mandatory three-month ‘foundation course’ conducted by the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT).
What is bad about the new IAS/IPS Allocation Proposal?
The new proposal has a number of flaws. A few examples are provided below.
If the government attempts to seize control and authority over selection and recruitment from the independent agency – UPSC – it may be interpreted as a violation of constitutional principles (Article 311 – 315)
If service and cadre allocation are based on the combined score of the civil services examination and the score or performance of the foundation course, it will dilute UPSC’s role by increasing executive interference
Service allocation following the foundation course has a high risk of abuse. Political pressure may be exerted on faculty and academy directors to select bureaucracy loyal to the ruling government
If the PMO’s latest proposal is accepted, a candidate whose rank in the UPSC civil services examination gets him only into, say, the Indian Defence Accounts Service, could theoretically move up to the coveted Indian Administrative Service based on how well he does his foundation course
If a person who has worked hard for years to achieve top UPSC exam rankings somehow performs poorly in the 3-month foundation course, and is denied the cadre and service desired or deserved, it would be unfair to him/her
What is the ‘Foundation Course’?
If you are an international student who has completed less than 13 years of education and wishes to pursue your first degree, you must first complete a foundation course at a university or college. A foundation course is a one-year preparation course for international students who require additional English language and academic preparation for admission to a university undergraduate course.
Foundation programmes are designed for school-leavers who have completed a non-British curriculum but want to study at a university. The foundation course serves as a bridge between your current qualifications and the undergraduate entry requirements for universities. It is designed to fill academic gaps, improve your English, and acquaint you with life and culture.
Foundation courses can help you get ready for a variety of subjects like business, finance, and management, computing, law, art and design, engineering, social science, medicine, science and pharmacy, media, and humanities.
Five Benefits of foundation course
If you are not quite ready to start university or are concerned that you will not meet the entry requirements for your course, foundation or preparatory study may be for you. Bridging courses, which usually last a couple of weeks and focus on a specific specialist area (often a prerequisite), to year-long foundation courses designed to prepare students for entry into a specific degree. If you believe that preparatory study is an option for you, keep reading to learn about some of the advantages of completing one of these pathways.
1. You can gain an understanding of the tertiary education environment: Whether you are about to leave school or have already worked, foundation and preparatory courses are available.
2. You can improve your academic skills: Foundation courses enable you to develop the skills required for success in tertiary education. This includes everything from general study skills to specific knowledge in your chosen field.
3. You can enter your course through an alternate route: If your intended field of study is highly competitive or requires high marks, you may be concerned about meeting the entry requirements.
4. You can select a stream based on your interests and background: Many foundation courses are organised by field of study, allowing students to get a head start on their studies.
5. You may receive credit for further study: Many foundation courses provide credit for further study, allowing students to enter the second year of a related course if their grades are high enough. Your institution will establish a minimum academic average required to continue studies with full credit.
Conclusion
The PMO has investigated the feasibility of including an additional component the marks obtained by candidates in the mandatory three-month ‘foundation course’ conducted by the Department of Personnel and Training. Introduction According to media reports, the Prime Minister’s Office is seeking a change in the way candidates are assigned to services such as IAS or IPS. The government is considering not only changing the way services like IAS and IPS are allocated, but also the way cadres are assigned. If the new proposal is approved, high marks in the Union Public Service Commission’s civil services examination will not be enough to get into the IAS, IPS, or IFS. The PMO has investigated the feasibility of including an additional component the marks obtained by candidates in the mandatory three-month ‘foundation course’ conducted by the Department of Personnel and Training.
