In a significant move DoPT has approved the changes in civil services exam pattern w.e.f. ensuing Civil Services Exams, 2013. Now, the new format will give more weightage to General Studies. Implementation of these changes will affect the fate of over four lakh civil services aspirants looking to take the exam this year. The new pattern aims to overhaul the existing pattern by reducing the importance of optional subjects and increased focus on general studies. This will reduce any advantage a candidate could have over others merely by selecting highly scoring subjects as optional papers. General studies have about 50% weightage while optional subject about 25%. As a matter of fact, the changes are on both lines - expected and unexpected. In order to really comprehend these changes, one must put all the dimensions of this examination in a proper perspective and then try to understand the importance of these changes. General Studies has been uplifted to a 'King-makers' statu