The Civil Services Examination is held annually, consisting of three stages, namely-

1) Prelims
2) Mains (CSE and Indian Forest Service)
3) Personal Interview

The candidates have to choose two optional from a set of 48 subjects for the Main Examination. The UPSC board has included all the core engineering subjects (aka Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Chemical engineering) except Computer Science.

The inclusion of Computer Science as an optional subject in the UPSC mains examination(CSE and Indian Forest Service) is important for several reasons, reflecting the evolving nature of society and the growing role of technology in various fields. It is used in everything - from running our gadgets to helping the government make smart decisions. Also, Computer Science is one of the most sought after fields amongst young engineering aspirants. It becomes quiet difficult for computer science undergraduates to take part in the Civil Services Exam since their core subject is not present in the list of optionals.

Including it in the Civil Services Exam can bring some big benefits for everyone, here's how:

• Smart Decision-Making: Computer Science is like a toolbox for making smart decisions. When government officers know how to use technology and analyze data, they can make better choices that benefit everyone.
• Problem-Solving Skills: Computer Science teaches problem-solving skills. This is crucial in public service where officers face different challenges every day. Having this skill helps in finding effective solutions.
• Efficient Governance: Learning Computer Science helps in making government work more efficient. With technology skills, officers can streamline processes and provide better services to the public.
• Staying Updated: Including Computer Science means government officers can stay updated with the latest technology trends. This is important to keep government services modern and effective.
• Technological Innovation: Computer Science can bring fresh ideas and innovation to public service. Government officers with a background in Computer Science can contribute to developing new and efficient ways of delivering services.
• Addressing Modern Issues: Many of today's challenges require a good understanding of technology. Computer Science in the Civil Services Exam ensures that officers are well-equipped to handle modern issues like data privacy, cybersecurity, and digital governance.

Let's work together to ensure that the Civil Services Exam reflects the needs of the public and prepares officers to meet the challenges of the modern world.

I would hereby continue the petition, once filed back in 2012 by an aspirant, urging the Union Public Service Commission to include Computer Science as one of the optional in not only Civil Services Examination but also the Indian Forest Service Examination, thus helping thousands of students.