This slide guides you through the preparation and writing skills of the competitive government exams.
It covers the type of questions, how to read, how to select the right resources, how to take notes, how so summarize, synthesize and analyze, and HOW TO WRITE GOOD ANSWERS.
2. Outline
• question types
• Understanding
• Communication
• Disciplines and Linkages
• Study
• Materials
• Format, Length and organization
• Sample Question
• Some Issues 2
3. Theoretical Critical Analysis
• Theory- an established system of ideas
o Context (Space, Time, Technology, Ideology)
• Critical Analysis
o (ir)relevance from different perspectives
• social,
• political,
• economic
• environmental
• humanitarian
• Ideological, Philosophical
4. Problem Solving
• Identify the problem
o Context( Space, Time, Technology, Ideology)
• Analyze the problem
o Identify the Cause(s)
• people, system, resource, ecology
o Identify the Effect and Impact
• Lives of people, objectives, national interest, service, environment, etc
• solve the problem
• Legal, Policy Framework(LP),
• Institutional Development (ID)
• Coordination, Participation (CP)
• Value System (VS)
• Technology and Resource (TR)
• ……………………………………
5. Case Analysis
- More Specific Role, Issue
- Read and Highlight important info
- Identify 3-5 problems in the case
- devise solutions (if possible alternate also)
- Select the best solution
- Conclude in a positive forward looking note
6. The Seven Cs of Understanding
• Context- Historical, political, social, economic, national,
international etc
• Concept: definition, narrower-broader, competing and conflicting
concepts
• Components: constituent elements, dimensions, parts,
• Characteristics- features, special qualities…
• Comparison and contrast: similarities and differences
• Criticism: What you (we) judge, perceive
• Conclusion: way forward, positive note, solution, forward
looking, sense of contentment etc
7. Seven Cs of Communication
• Concise: precise and exact
• Concrete: facts, figures, quotes, people, reports
• Correct: no exaggeration, no undermining
• Clear: no ambiguity, no bombarding, simple is best
• Courteous: civilized, formal language, good words
• Complete: no less, no more, not too short, not too long
• Considered and Coherent: self-opinion, preferences,
creativity
8. 5 basic areas to explore
• Legal, Policy Framework(LP)
o Policy Gap:- inter-policy, intra-policy, implementation
o conflict, contradiction, divergence, silo
o non-complementarity, vagueness, non-focused
• Institutional Development (ID)
o HR- Skill deficit, succession,
o technology, database, IM
o JD, PM, reward and punishment,
• Coordination, Participation (CP)
o horizontal, vertical and diagonal
o upward, downward and matrix
o within state, state-state, state and non-state
9. 5 basic areas to explore
• Value System (VS)
o Core organizational values
o Integrity and other personal values
• Technology, Equipment and Resource
(TR)
o New Technology
o Financing Mechanism
o Other Resources and Constraints
11. Linkage of chapters
राजनीति प्रशासन तिकास अर्थ र तित्त सेिा प्रिाह
नीति योजना संगठन
आतर्थक
मातमला
सेिा र
शासन
12. Study
• There are four C’s learning (Critical thinking,
Creative thinking, Communicating, and
Collaborating)
• There are many methods of understanding and
comprehension- memorizing, mental maps,
picture, connecting and networks,
associations…
• reading and note taking for future reference
• Steadiness
• There are only a few important things in each
topic
• Make your own plan, note and style
13. Study
• know the strength and weaknesses of yourself
• noticing problems and sort out things
• practice writing
o first in parts
o then complete answer
• Won’t Pass in First writing
• Get a GURU revise, correct and mentor
you!
• Talk, exchange, discuss, show your
progress and understanding to her/him
14. Resources
• Constitution (different angle)
• Sector policies
• Policy Review Documents
• Periodic Plan Document
• Reports - PRI, NPC, MoF, OGA, CIAA
PERC, Economic Survey, Budget and
budget review
• Study Reports, Workshop Papers …
• Journal Articles
• Read good essays for language
15. Resources
• Be selective: many sources, less time, authenticity
• Published Book – Yes but judge them
• people’s ideas
• Youtube channels- Drishti IAS, Vikas Chakravarty-
Philosophy and other,
• McKinsey.com – models and surveys reports
• Youtube, Wiki, Google (select Short Contents)
• News and Media (Contemporary issues)
• Previous questions
• Interview of selected people
16. How to approach a question
• Read quickly, scan
• think for ~30 seconds
• Skip details and read again, underline keywords
• Decide how many questions are asked.
• Number or mark them (the final section)
• Plan the answer
o how many parts
o which question needs more weight if not given.
17. Types of Questions
1. Multiple Questions- Analysis, comparison and
contrast, categorization
2. Single Question critical analysis
3. Problem Solving
4. Ethical Dilemma problem solving
5. Policy Draft/Memo/Framework/Action Plan etc
18. How long/short an answer needs to be
• It depends (flexible)
• Writing speed ~25 wpm
o 15 marks ~ 320-450 words
o 20 marks ~ 450-600 words
o 25 marks ~ 650-750 words
Consider figures, diagrams.....
19. How long an introduction/conclusion
• Introduction
o the label of a package
o appeal to the senses
• Conclusion
o the dessert of a meal
o forward looking, optimistic, generalization, broad...
• Less than 1/10th of whole answer
• Max 3 sentences (consider length)
20. Some Issues- Social
• Values and Ethics
• Poverty and Inequality
• Unemployment
• Social/ Cultural Problems
• Urbanization
• Inclusion, Discrimination, Violence, conflict..
• Language, ethnicity,
21. Some Issues- Governance
• Bureaucracy and Public Management
• Governance Reform Agenda
• SOEs
• Efficiency, Effectiveness of Governance
• SNG, vertical and horizontal coordination
• Civil Service Reform
• Corruption Control and good governance
• Budget and Procurement issues
22. Some Issues- Economic
• Development
• Investment (Domestic, FDI)
• Resource Constraint
• Unemployment, Migration
• Trade Balance, BoP
• Structural Problems of Economy
• Production and Productivity
• Globalization, Liberalization
23. Some Issues- Political
• Policy and Polity
• Rights of citizens and obligations of nation
• Geopolitics and Connectivity
• Federalism
• Electoral System, Representation
• International Relation
