For the past two years, a curious trend has emerged in the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) Civil Services Examination results. Candidates belonging to the Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) quota have consistently scored lower than Other Backward Classes (OBC) candidates in the Mains examination. However, they have managed to turn the tables in the final selection, securing higher cut-off marks due to their performance in the interview stage.

In the Civil Services Examination 2024, the cut-off for the EWS category in the Mains exam was 696 marks, while it was 702 for the OBC category. A similar pattern was observed in the Civil Services Examination 2023, where the OBC candidates had a cut-off of 712 in the Mains, compared to 706 for the EWS category. However, the final results told a different story. After the interview round, the EWS candidates in the 2024 exam had a cut-off of 917 marks, surpassing the OBC candidates, who had a cut-off of 910. In 2023, the EWS secured a final cut off of 923, while the OBC stood at 919.

This contrast between the Mains and Interview stages has sparked considerable discussion and analysis among experts and aspirants alike. The EWS quota, introduced in 2019, provides a 10% reservation to candidates from the general category who meet specific economic criteria. The OBC, on the other hand, is a long-standing reservation for socially and educationally backward classes. The interplay between these two reserved categories reveals the complexities of the reservation system and the different advantages and disadvantages each group faces.

One possible explanation for this phenomenon is that while OBC candidates may possess a stronger grasp of the academic subjects tested in the Mains examination, EWS candidates might perform better in the interview due to certain socio-economic factors. "There is no starkly noticeable reason for OBCs to have more marks in the Mains than EWS, yet lose out in the final cut off on account of EWS scoring better interview marks. It possibly shows that the EWS group has no or lesser social disadvantages that hurt competitiveness," notes Shashank Ratnoo, a lawyer specializing in reservation laws. This suggests that EWS candidates may have better communication skills, personality traits, or access to resources that give them an edge in the interview.

It is important to note that the dynamics between the OBC and EWS categories have not been consistent since the EWS quota was introduced. In the initial years of the EWS quota, 2019 and 2020, OBC candidates dominated both the Mains and the final results. The recent trend of EWS candidates outperforming OBC candidates in the interview stage has only emerged in the last couple of years, making it a relatively new and intriguing development.

Several factors could be contributing to this shift. The EWS category primarily includes individuals from upper castes who may have historically possessed certain social and economic advantages, despite facing economic hardship. These advantages could translate into better performance in the interview, where personality, communication skills, and general awareness are assessed. Additionally, access to better educational resources and exposure to different social environments could also play a role in shaping the interview performance of EWS candidates.

The UPSC exam is conducted in three stages: Prelims, Mains, and Interview. The prelims exam acts as a filter, and the marks secured in it are not considered for final ranking. The mains examination consists of nine papers, including essay, general studies, and optional subjects. The interview is the final stage, where candidates are assessed on their personality, communication skills, and general awareness. The final merit list is prepared based on the combined scores of the Mains examination and the interview. The cut-off marks are the minimum qualifying scores for a social bloc availing reservations. They vary across categories such as SC, ST, OBC, and EWS.

The evolving dynamics between the EWS and OBC categories in the UPSC Civil Services Examination highlight the intricate nature of the reservation system and the multifaceted factors that influence a candidate's success. While OBC candidates may have an edge in academic knowledge, EWS candidates seem to be leveraging other advantages to excel in the interview stage. This ever-changing landscape underscores the need for a comprehensive understanding of the examination pattern, reservation policies, and the socio-economic factors that impact candidate performance.