The controversy over changes in the format of the UPSC Civils Mains exam-2013 has deepened with student organisations threatening to disrupt civil service exams in AP, if the UPSC does not withdraw its decision to give priority to the English paper. Students have demanded that the Chief Minister should take up the issue with the Centre immediately to protect the interests of students from rural areas and those with Telugu medium background. Student organisations such as ABVP, SFI, AISF, TNSF etc have decided to intensify the agitation. They said Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shiv Singh Chouhan had already written to the Prime Minister opposing changes in the exam and Andhra Pradesh should follow suit. The ABVP has planned a protest in front of the UPSC office in Delhi on Monday on this issue.

“The new Mains exam format will kill the dream of many civil service aspirants, if compulsory English is imposed. As per new norms, if an aspi rant’s medium of instruction for graduation is not Telugu, he/she won’t be allowed to write exams in Telugu. Currently, many aspirants from the state appear for the civils in Telugu despite pursuing courses in English medium,” said P. Vishal, who is to sit for the exam. Also, from this year, the score of English language paper will be counted for the final selection for top jobs like IAS, IPS etc. Earlier, the score of another language paper was also along with English paper. New norms One can appear for Civils in Telugu, only if his/her medium of instruction for gradua tion is Telugu. The score of English language paper would be counted for selec tion for top jobs.