Kochi: The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) civil services aspirants who appeared for the preliminary examination on Sunday reported that this year's general studies (Paper I) was among the toughest in recent years. Candidates cited changes in question patterns, lengthy framing, and an increased focus on in-depth knowledge of subjects as key challenges.
Candidates Express Disappointment
Many candidates who wrote the exam across the state expressed disappointment, stating that the paper demanded more time for comprehension and analysis compared to previous editions. Sarath B R, a candidate from Thiruvananthapuram who has appeared for the exam multiple times, described the paper as unusually difficult. "I have been writing the exam for the last few years, and I found this exam the toughest UPSC prelims in recent times. Usually, the exam allows scope for applying logic and mental ability, but this year many questions were based on random facts," he said.
Pattern Change Causes Confusion
However, Sarath added that the questions were not lacking in quality. "But the unexpected change in pattern of the questions caused confusion among candidates, especially the first-timers," he noted. Arjun M, a UPSC aspirant from Kannur who did not write the exam this year but reviewed the question paper, said the general knowledge section featured in-depth questions on subjects, and the options provided could easily confuse candidates. "As many of the options were significantly close to the right answer, luck would play a key role in getting better scores," he explained.
Time Management Issues for First-Timers
Nikitha K, a first-time candidate from Kasaragod district, said the changed pattern made time management difficult. "Many questions were lengthy and took more time to understand, which led to lapse of time," she said. The candidates also believe that the cut-off marks for qualifications could significantly come down in the wake of the changes to the examinations this year.
Overall, aspirants across the state voiced concerns about the new format, emphasizing the need for more analytical preparation in future attempts.
