With the Main examination for Civil Services 2012 set to be held from 5 - 26th October 2012, let us discuss some finer aspects which may help the aspirants to improve their scores. 


The Main examination is the major scoring part accounting for 2000 marks out of the total 2300. Nine papers – one each in English, Indian language and Essay and two each in General Studies and in the optionals – are to be attempted. It is definitely a daunting task.


As civil services aspirants, you might have completed a round in all the areas by now. You must be waiting for the latest releases of General Studies dossiers; you must be busy with group discussions and some among you may be confused over the topics yet to be covered.


Some useful tips to make a comfortable appearance at the examination are presented here. We will discuss the approach required for Essay questions. The approach may well apply for optionals too.


People say Essay writing is an art. It is indeed, for the Civil Services Examination. Ever since its introduction, this paper carrying 200 marks has been the centre point. Getting a decent score of about 120 in this paper is a challenge. To take up this challenge, a strategy is required.

The instructions part  of the Essay paper states: “Examiners will pay special attention to the candidate’s grasp of its material, its relevance to the subject chosen and to his ability to think constructively and to present his ideas concisely, logically and effectively”.

This clearly shows that the facts and analysis shall be presented in a logical flow. The aspirant should use his mind and articulate the points churned out in a nice manner. The following points may be kept in mind:

• Selection of the topic: There will be more than one topic given (In 2010, the number was four). The selection of the topic matters. Generally, topics are from culture and heritage, current political and economic issues, science and technology, social issues of relevance, environment and philosophy.

Let us have a look at the topics of 2010 exam.

1. Geography may remain the same; History need not
2. Should a moratorium be imposed on all fresh mining in tribal areas of the country?
3. Preparedness of our society for India’s Global leadership role.
4. From Traditional Indian philanthropy to the Gates-Buffett model- a Natural progression or paradigms shift?          

These are not conventional topics for which we get ready-made material. Every topic is analytical and requires your own views . Such being the topics asked, you should develop the art of  writing ‘concisely, logically and effectively’. Let it be any topic, you should be able to present the matter constructively, with the general understanding you have evolved through reading and observations.
 

• The Essay shall consist of an introduction(where you strike the relevance of the topic chosen ),a concise and logical body(where you present your arguments in favour and against) and a logical conclusion (where your views and suggestions are given).

• 3.While writing your views , take care these are in line with national consensus ,constitutional and in tune with the cultural ethos and values. Extreme/radical views are not favoured ( as an administrator , you are supposed to take a balanced view for the welfare society).

• In support of your views, you can give basic facts and figures. Do not fill up the body with too much of it. What you require is more of analysis and views.

• You have three hours time. This time should be planned properly to get that concise and effective essay. One may get tempted to write as much as possible. Do not commit that mistake. You can write around 2000-2500 words effectively after a detailed thought process. For the thought part , you apportion one hour time, jot down the points as rough work (at the end of the answer sheet) , make corrections and crystallize.
  
  Plan the flow, effective arguments , examples to be cited, basic data to be given ,quotations to be incorporated and all. An impressive introduction can be written in the rough space and perfected.  These things will surely impress the examiner as he will find that you have gone through a brainstorming exercise before putting your views on paper.

• • And all these are  possible only through practice! You may have lot of knowledge and facts with you, but penning down an essay requires real writing practice. Many aspirants may  not have attempted an essay before. It doesn’t matter. Now you can do it.. And topics? You try the following:

1. To save India,the nexus among the Politicians , Bureaucrats and Businessmen needs to be broken. 
2. Rural India of Gandhiji- still a distant dream?
3. Indian  society sans Information technology- a colossal failure?
4. One Earth, One Chance
   
               

A solid strategy  for Essay questions is essential to have the edge in this examination…And with a good score in your optionals, you are sure to enter the top Civil Services. Wish you all the best!

How to Prepare for General Studies Section

Sample Test (1) for General Studies

Sample Test (2) for General Studies

Free Sample Tests for IAS Exam

Career of an IAS Officer

Career of an IFS Officer

Career of an IPS Officer
 

Author: Mr. P.Gopakumar, IRS
 

Mr.P. Gopakumar is Assistant Commissioner (Service Tax), Bangalore. Apart from this he is also Chief Advisor, Kerala Samajam IAS Academy, Bangalore.

Tagged in MAT MAT test pattern MAT exam AIMA MAT exam structure

Like us on :