If you are preparing for the APSC exam and are not fluent in Assamese, you might wonder whether you are still eligible to appear for it. Language requirements play a crucial role in the selection process; understanding them is essential for aspirants. This article explores the language requirements for the APSC exam. We will discuss in detail the language options, requirements, and the medium of the exam. One of the most frequently asked questions is: Can I appear for APSC without knowing Assamese? Before answering this, let’s first look at how the language paper in the APSC CCE exam has evolved.
Evolution of Language Requirements in APSC.
Assam Public Service Combined Competitive Examination(Amendment) Rules 2019:
According to the Assam Public Service Combined Competitive Examination (Amendment) Rules 2019, the applicants were required to appear for a compulsory language qualifying paper in any one of the languages from Assamese, Bengali, Bodo. However, candidates from Dima Hasao, Karbi Anglong and West Karbi Anglong Districts who had not studied any of these languages in school were exempted from appearing for qualifying language papers.
Following this, the Manipuri community of Barak valley had appealed to the government that they should be exempted from appearing in the qualifying paper. Later the Assam Cabinet had taken a decision to remove the language barrier in civil services examinations conducted by the APSC. The English and Assamese compulsory papers were withdrawn with three conditions:
- Candidates must be residents of Assam,
- The candidate’s name should be registered in the employment exchange in Assam, and
- The candidate must be fluent in Assamese or other recognized languages of Assam.
In the CCE 2022 and 2023 advertisements, the APSC clearly stated under eligibility criteria that a candidate should be able to speak Assamese or other official language or associate official languages of the State or any of the tribal languages of the State.
Understanding the Language Requirements for APSC:
From the above we can conclude that to appear for the APSC exam, a candidate does not need to know Assamese fluently at the time of application. However, a basic understanding of Assamese or associate official language or any other tribal language of Assam is necessary.
For the prelims and mains examinations, the questions are asked in both English and Assamese, allowing candidates to answer in their preferred language. However in the interview stage a candidate is expected to have a working knowledge of Assamese. At the very least, one should be able to communicate in Assamese.
Now let us know why it is important to know any of these languages.
Importance of knowing Assamese or Other Regional languages for APSC:
Even though one can appear for the APSC exam without knowing Assamese, there are practical advantages to learning Assamese or associate official language or any tribal languages. Here’s why:
- Administrative challenges in Autonomous Council Areas: Civil servants posted in any of the three autonomous councils under the Sixth Schedule often face difficulties if they are not proficient in regional languages as local governance is conducted primarily in these languages.
- Access to Regional News and Information: Many important local news reports and government notifications are published in regional newspapers such as Dainik Asam, Asomiya Khabar, Dainik Agradoot, and Asamiya Pratidin. Knowing Assamese or another regional language makes it easier for a civil servant to stay informed about local issues.
- Effective Communication with Local Communities: As a civil servant, interacting with local communities is crucial. Many people in rural areas may not be proficient in English or Hindi, making it essential to understand Assamese or other tribal languages to address grassroots problems effectively.
Assam Government’s Initiatives for Language Proficiency:
Recognizing the importance of language skills for governance, the Assam Government has taken several initiatives to improve language proficiency among civil servants.
- Tribal Language Training Programme 2024: The 2024 batch of Assam Civil Service (ACS) officers is undergoing a pioneering language training program to enhance their proficiency in tribal languages and facilitate efficient administration in Sixth Schedule areas.
- Mandatory Regional Language Learning for Government Employees: The Assam Government has made it compulsory for state government employees to learn a regional language, alongside Assamese. This initiative seeks to foster linguistic diversity and enhance communication within Assam’s multicultural society.
To briefly sum the answer to the question “ Can I appear for APSC without knowing Assamese?” is positive. The examination process(Prelims and Mains) allows candidates to answer in English and there is no compulsory Assamese language paper. However, after selection, knowing Assamese or an associate official/tribal language becomes necessary. A civil servant working in Assam will need to interact with local communities, understand official notifications, and effectively address regional issues. Therefore, learning Assamese or a regional language is strongly recommended.
Frequently Asked Questions(FAQ)
Answer: Yes, you can. There is no compulsory Assamese language paper, and the exam can be attempted in English. However, basic knowledge of Assamese or any other recognized language of Assam is important for administrative duties.
Answer: Candidates must be able to speak Assamese, any other official/associate official language of Assam, or any tribal language of the state. However, fluency in Assamese is not mandatory at the time of application.
Answer: No, the compulsory language paper was removed. Previously, candidates had to qualify in Assamese, Bengali, or Bodo, but this requirement has been eliminated, with some conditions for eligibility.
Answer: Yes, both Prelims and Mains question papers are available in English and Assamese. Candidates can choose to answer in their preferred language.
Answer: Knowing Assamese or a regional language helps in interacting with local communities, understanding government notifications, and performing administrative duties effectively, especially in rural and autonomous council areas.