Category: Answer Writing Techniques

IAS Score

Methodology for improving Answer Writing Skill

  • by IAS Score

Every student while preparing for IAS Mains concentrate on improving Answer writing skill by either practicing previous year questions, sample questions available through different sources but usually they come to get feedback such as:

• Improve articulation of the answer
• Place examples to justify the point, etc.
• Enrich the answer

So what does that depict…what is the correct methodology for developing the answer…

a) Develop right perspective:

The content of the answer solely do not determine the marks. Many a time a student have better knowledge with respect to others but fail to get good marks. Here the role of right perspective comes. The questions in the mains paper are not direct. They check the analytical skill, perspective of the candidate. Right perspective depicts seeing the question in right framework, right dimensions.

For example:

Ques: The quality of higher education in India requires major improvements to make it internationally competitive. Do you think that the entry of foreign educational institutions would help improve the quality of higher and technical education in the country? Discuss.

The question is related to challenges in higher education, but while writing an answer student has to depict right perspective i.e. those challenges should be placed in the answers which are related to dismal rankings of the institute. How entry of foreign education institutes would help in improving the quality. In this both the pros and cons of that should be discussed.

Many a times candidate answer the complete question based on one dimension and failed to anlayse the correct perspective asked in that.

b) Articulation:

The flow of the answer should be proper i.e. there should be connection while moving from one point to other, with proper introduction and conclusion.

For example:

The answer should clearly depict the division of:

Introduction: In GS question it should be of maximum 2 lines as increasing its length may reduce the main body content due to strict word limit guideline. The introduction may be inform of definition, fact, etc.

Main Body: Thus should depict the different dimensions asked in the question. If the answer is related to Pros and cons or similar to that, it should be written in point format. This will increase the visibility of different dimensions covered and candidate will be able to stick to word limit.
In the answer related to critical analysis paragraphs should be placed under each dimension with proper justification.

Conclusion: It should depict the crux of the answer as well as the way forward.

c) Place examples:

Concrete examples should be placed to justify the point. The examples should be based on some case study, governance, etc. A student should avoid writing examples that are related to some religion, caste or culture.

d) Enrich the answer:

As the questions are quite analytical in nature, the answer should incorporate multi-dimensions. Placing different dimensions requires proper understanding of the question as well as good active reading skill through which a student may be able to jot down good points from the article, report and place that at Right time at Right place.

Hereby discussing different sources which can help a student in enriching the answer:

• NITI Aayog Reports: The reports are available on different topics as health, nutrition, manufacturing industry, agriculture. The report discusses the issues related to different sectors but the recommendations are relevant and can be placed directly in the answers.

• PRS reports: There are few latest PRS reports on agriculture, police reforms as well as some standing committee reports on defence. The reports compile the issues alongwith concrete examples and recommendations. In few reports it provides summary of different committees formed in that sector earlier (as in case of police reforms).

• PIB: The reference material provided in the website can help in enriching the answer under the “Features” and “Backgrounder” column.

• Monthly magazines: The monthly magazines such as Yojana, Kurukshetra, Outlook, etc may provide better analysis of the particular topic. However, a candidate should be able to look out for chapters useful for Civil Services rather than reading complete magazine.

Hope this article will prove to be helpful for the aspirants in improving their answer writing skill.

MAYURI KHANNA

Manoj K. Jha

GUIDELINES FOR A CASE STUDY ANALYSIS IN GS PAPER 4

  • by Manoj K. Jha

A case study analysis provides a powerful tool for sorting through and resolving an ethical problem, regardless of its specific subject. A complete case analysis consists of the following five steps. Here we are mentioning the idea of case analysis; actual answer writing format in the examination will be different.

  1. Summarize the main problem and its setting

What are the essential elements of the situation and what is the ethical problem at issue? Summarize the key points of the case in your own words, writing as though you are explaining it to someone who is not familiar with it. Sortie helpful questions to guide you: Who are the key players? Who is affected by the outcome? Are there other important facts that are being assumed and left unstated? Although your summary need not be exhaustive, it should identify all of those salient facts that will be important to your analysis of the case. Be careful not to alter the facts of the case.

  1. List the possible ways of responding to the problem

What are the possible responses to the problem that is, in what different ways might a person (or a society) act if faced with the problem? Of all the imaginable responses, list – and briefly explain – the ones that seem most probable (both good and bad). Be sure to include the actual responses made by those who have been portrayed in the case itself. Although some of these responses may be obvious, others may require you to think more carefully and creatively. Don’t neglect either kind. Also, be certain that you include the response that you actually think is best – the one you ultimately will be defending as the right response.

  1. Identify and justify the one response that you think is morally/administratively best

Justifying our chosen response from all possible responses requires that you provide one- or more moral arguments in support of your preferred response. A moral argument, remember, includes moral principles and one or more descriptive statements, which together should support that judgment you believe describes the right response to the situation described in the case. Try to offer the most compelling arguments you can for your chosen response.

  1. Explain why the other possible responses are not as acceptable

A person who can only argue for his own view is merely biased. Moral thinking requires you to also be able to see a problem from the perspective of others. Thus, it is also necessary that you address the remaining responses, explaining why each of these is less desirable than the response you have chosen to defend. Note that as you argue against the other possible responses, you do not actually have to show that they are all morally wrong – you only need to show that your chosen response is better justified than any of the others.

Manoj K. Jha

Answer Writing Techniques for IAS Main Exam – 2

  • by Manoj K. Jha

Mains examination questions of general studies unfolded many things, about word limit, approach to the questions, analytical demand of the questions and many turns and twists attached to most of the question in the form of common instructions.

By Manoj K. Jha

What is a good answer? Million dollar question! Especially in the given scenario when good marks in IAS Mains Exam is distant dream.  Mains examination questions of general studies unfolded many thing, about word limit, approach to the questions, analytical demand of the question, and many turns and twists attached to most of the question in the form of common instructions i.e. Analyse, Critically Analyse, Discuss, Evaluate, Explain etc.

Here I am presenting the meaning of the common instructions attached to the Questions in the Mains paper. And few question and there model hints about content, it is just an answer hint to get some overview about attempting answer in main exam. We have not attached the word limits.

Here are some model questions:

Q 1. Central Vigilance Commission was set up by the Government to propagate the principle of zero tolerance on corruption. What steps it has taken to combat corruption? Analyse the outcomes of these steps and also assess the effectiveness of CVC.
Q 2. Critically examine the role played by Non Government Organisations (NGOs) in development process with special reference to India. Enumerate main problems facing the NGOs in India.
Q 3. “Democratic decentralization cannot be operationalised in real terms without proper fiscal decentralization”. Elaborate.
Q 4. What is micro finance? What role the self help groups play in financial intermediation?

In the IAS Mains exam there are various instructions attached to the question. Here is essence of those:-

ANALYSE: Break up an issue/event into its component parts and explain how these relate to one another.

ASSESS: consider the importance of something stress is given in the question.

COMPARE: simply examine the similarities and differences.

CONTRAST: concentrate on the differences.

CRITIQUE: point out the limitations and usefulness of the subject in the question.

DESCRIBE: give detailed account of a topic

DISCUSS: explain various perspective and present a logical argument

EVALUATE : weigh up the importance, success or value of something with evidence to support your view

EXAMINE : give a detailed account, questioning and exploring the relevant issue

EXPLAIN: give a precise account, with reasons for why or how it is as it is.

ILLUSTRATE: use examples from a range of source to demonstrate your understanding of the subject.

JUSTIFY: make a case for a particular perspective. Establish the truth through supporting evidence or logical reasoning

REVIEW : examine how a topic has been studied and comment on value and limitations of its treatment

To what extent… : explore the case for and against a claim

Here are solutions in the format of model hints to crack the essence of demand of such questions. You will also get an idea about the extent and dimension of content to write a good answer. Word limits are not attached to these questions.

Q. Central Vigilance Commission was set up by the Government to propagate the principle of zero tolerance on corruption. What steps it has taken to combat corruption? Analyse the outcomes of these steps and also assess the effectiveness of CVC.

Answer Hints

The CVC has evolved over time as an institution to monitor corruption of government institutions and officials through initiating investigations since its creation in 1964.
The CVC Act 2003 conferred statutory status to the CVC and the powers to exercise superintendence over functioning of the Delhi Special Police Establishment, and also to review the progress of the investigations pertaining to alleged offences under the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988.

The CVC publishes a list of cases where permissions are pending.  The commission, as a public authority provides information under the RTI act to the citizens as requested regarding vigilance of institutions and officials on alleged corruption cases.

It has taken some new initiatives including National Anticorruption Strategy, leveraging technology to prevent corruption, integrity in public procurement, awareness campaign, and provision for whistle blowers, improving the standard of vigilance work, computerization of commission’s work, Modern Preventive Vigilance Framework and international cooperation etc. All this has made some deterrence to corruption cases, but by and large its effect has been minimal because there are many limitations of the CVC.

Although CVC is relatively independent in its functioning, it has neither resources nor powers to inquire and take action on complaints of corruption that may act as an effective deterrence against corruption. The limitations include its advisory nature due to which government may accept or reject its advice, small size of sanctioned staff (299) as compared to large number of corruption cases pertaining to central government departments and ministries.

Further, the CVC cannot direct CBI to initiate inquiries against any officer of the level of Joint Secretary and above on its own. Such permission has to be obtained from the concerned department.

It has no teeth as it does not have powers to register criminal case. It deals only with vigilance or disciplinary cases. Although the CVC has supervisory powers over CBI, it does not have the power to call for any file from CBI or to direct CBI to investigate any case in a particular manner.

And last but not the least, appointments to CVC are indirectly under the control of Govt of India, which has always raised suspicion that government prefers to appoint malleable officers.

Q. Critically examine the role played by Non Government Organisations (NGOs) in development process with special reference to India. Enumerate main problems facing the NGOs in India.

Answer Hints:

NGOs as a development alternative offer innovative and people-centred approaches to service delivery, advocacy and empowerment. NGOs fill the gaps in development activities of the government.

NGOs are grassroot organizations with better interface with people and their problems. By some estimates, India has 3.3 million NGOs or one NGO for every 400 individuals.

In India NGOs have carried on various initiatives for eradication of illiteracy, disease, exploitation of women and children and violence against them. They are also providing help in disaster management, support to street children, women involved in prostitution, pet care. In fact, these NGOs play a positive role in virtually every sector of the economy. NGOs have also acted against encroachment of human rights.
Main Problems

NGOs are, however, being set up and run by many vested interests. They become a means of money making, luxurious life for some and often alleged to be hand in glove to take funds and support from government organizations for personal benefits.  Some of the NGOs act as frontal face for organizations which have ulterior motives.

Main problems facing them are shortage of funds, absence of transparency, accountability and a regulatory mechanism. It is also not known whether they use the allocated funds for the stated purpose or misuse them.

A lot of NGOs setup in India are either dormant or fraudulent, used for a wide range of illegal activities such tax evasion and misappropriation of government funds.

Q. “Democratic decentralization cannot be operationalised in real terms without proper fiscal decentralization”. Elaborate.

Answer Hints:

The Centre and states have a symbiotic relation, more so in financial arena. Although the rights of centre and states to mobilize resources through taxes and non tax sources have been clearly delineated in the constitution, the states allege that the buoyant and elastic sources are more under the control of the Centre.

The responsibilities of states to deliver welfare and development have increased overtime along with the Centre. It is important for democratic decentralization that the state governments are provided with sufficient opportunities to mobilize funds for these activities.

States carry on many of the vital development and welfare activities such as primary health care, primary education, supply of potable water and essential infrastructure including roads and electricity. Some of them have elaborate roadways services as well. All these programmes get financial support from the Centre and these programmes are also supplemented by Central programmes. In view of rising responsibility of the states it is important that they are allowed to mobilize resources for their financial needs.

The fundamental principles for devolution of funds from Centre to States are equity and efficiency. The states get funds from the Planning Commission for various development projects whereas they get their share from tax proceeds of the Centre through the Finance Commission. The transfer of resources from the Centre to the States is guided by certain principles, yet there is discontentment among states regarding inadequacy of funds.

It is also observed that the states which have developed their agriculture, industry, trade and commerce and services sector, their capacity to generate their own resources and spend on welfare and development is higher than those who have not been able to develop these sector.

In such a situation the need for financial decentralization is strongly felt. States want more transfers from Centre and they also want more powers to mobilize resources.

The finance commission has now changed its role from being a paternalistic institution to an institution that promotes fiscal discipline and reward states which focus on development, hence its criteria of financial devolution has also changed over time.

As regards vertical transfer from divisible pool of taxes, the 13th Finance Commission recommended that the share of states in the net proceeds of shareable central taxes be raised from 30.5 per cent to 32 per cent. According to the thirteenth Finance Commission’s criteria population has a weight of 25 per cent in horizontal devolution; area has 10 per cent, fiscal capacity 47.5 per cent and fiscal discipline 17.5 per cent.

The role of Planning Commission in devolving resources to the states is although formula based, political considerations lead to under financing and over financing. There is increase in recent times in non-formula based transfers, which has been criticized by the thirteenth finance commission.

If states are needed to maintain their expenditure on social sector and infrastructure it is important to give them power to mobilize additional funds from tax and non-tax sources.
The vertical and horizontal devolution still remains controversial, especially the developed states who mobilize more resources are critical of transferring more resources to backward states.

States demand expansion of the divisible pool from income tax and excise duty to other kinds of sources such as customs duty, service tax and corporate tax. They also insist that the large contributing states to the divisible pool of taxes should be rewarded for their revenue increase.

But the role of central government is to provide support to the lagging states so that they not only cover their revenue gap but also development gap. Besides excise duty and income tax, states want to include corporate tax, custom duty, corporate tax and services tax in the divisible pool of taxes.

The Centre is aware about the importance of financial decentralization, but it has its own compulsions. Its expenditure has also increased overtime, especially the non-plan expenditure. The Centre has revised its formula for the transfer of resources to states.

A number of states favour continuation of area as a criterion in the distribution formula, with some states suggesting an increase in the weightage and others suggesting a reduction. Continuation of tax effort and fiscal discipline as criteria for tax devolution has been suggested by the majority of states. Other criteria suggested by states include forest cover, length of international border, index of infrastructure, levels of backwardness, human development index, share of primary sector in Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) of a state, contribution to central taxes and expenditure on social sectors and infrastructure.

Whatever be the criteria there is no doubt that democratic decentralization is possible only if the states have financial wherewithal for carrying out development and welfare activities and this needs financial decentralization.

Q. What is micro finance? What role the self help groups play in financial intermediation?

Answer Hints –

Microfinance is a form of financial services for entrepreneurs and small businesses or farmers lacking access to banking and related services. The two main mechanisms for the delivery of financial services to such clients are:

(1) relationship-based banking for individual entrepreneurs and small businesses; and

(2) group-based models, where several entrepreneurs come together to apply for loans and other services as a group.

Micro finance also provides many poor and near-poor households access to an appropriate range of high quality financial services, including not just credit but also savings, insurance, and fund transfers.

Self help groups are group based models of micro finance. A self-help group (SHG) is a village-based financial intermediary usually composed of 10–20 local women or men. A mixed group is generally not preferred. Most self-help groups are located in India, though SHGs can also be found in other countries, especially in South Asia and Southeast Asia.

A  Self-Help Group may be registered or unregistered. It typically comprises a group of micro entrepreneurs having homogenous social and economic backgrounds; all voluntarily coming together to save regular small sums of money, mutually agreeing to contribute to a common fund and to meet their emergency needs on the basis of mutual help.

They pool their resources to become financially stable, taking loans from the money collected by that group and by making everybody in that group self-employed.

This system eliminates the need for collateral and is closely related to that of solidarity lending, widely used by micro finance institutions.

To make the book-keeping simple enough to be handled by the members, flat interest rates are used for most loan calculations.

The group members use collective wisdom and peer pressure to ensure proper end-use of credit and timely repayment.

NABARD estimates that there are 2.2 million SHGs in India, representing 33 million members, which have taken loans from banks under its linkage program to date. This does not include SHGs that have not borrowed.

Many self-help groups, especially in India, under NABARD’s SHG-bank-linkage program, borrow from banks once they have accumulated a base of their own capital and have established a track record of regular repayments.

Manoj K. Jha

Answer Writing Techniques for Mains

  • by Manoj K. Jha

Mains examination questions of general studies unfolded many thing, about word limit, approach to the questions, analytical demand of the question, and many turns and twists.

By Manoj K. Jha
What is a good answer? Million dollar question! Especially in the given scenario when good marks in IAS Mains Exam is distant dream. In the notification for the last year’s IAS Main examination, clear instruction was given regarding the changed expected writing behaviour. Instruction in UPSC notification clearly deliberates: “Candidates should note that instead of separate Question Paper and answer book, a consolidated Question Paper-cum-Answer book, having space below each part/sub part of a question shall be provided to them for writing the answers. Candidates shall be required to attempt answer to the part/sub-part of a question strictly within the pre-defined space. Any attempt outside the pre-defined space shall not be evaluated.”

Mains examination questions of general studies unfolded many thing, about word limit, approach to the questions, analytical demand of the question, and many turn and twist attached to most of the question in the form of common instructions i.e. Analyse, Critically analyse, discuss, evaluate, explain etc.

Though I will keep writing on these issues and, also will share the exclusive model answer of UPSC in the coming month, which I had discussed in classroom with many aspirants who wrote IAS Mains exam last year. Here I am presenting the meaning of the common instructions attached to the Questions in the Mains paper.

ANALYSE: Break up an issue/event into its component parts and explain how these relate to one another.

ASSESS: consider the importance of something stress is given in the question.

COMPARE: simply examine the similarities and differences.

CONTRAST: concentrate on the differences.

CRITIQUE: point out the limitations and usefulness of the subject in the question.

DESCRIBE: give detailed account of a topic

DISCUSS: explain various perspective and present a logical argument

EVALUATE : weigh up the importance, success or value of something with evidence to support your view

EXAMINE : give a detailed account, questioning and exploring the relevant issue

EXPLAIN: give a precise account, with reasons for why or how it is as it is.

ILLUSTRATE: use examples from a range of source to demonstrate your understanding of the subject.

JUSTIFY: make a case for a particular perspective. Establish the truth through supporting evidence or logical reasoning

REVIEW : examine how a topic has been studied and comment on value and limitations of its treatment

To what extent… : explore the case for and against a claim

Manoj K. Jha

How to attempt ethics case study for GS paper 4 Ethics, Integrity & Aptitude

  • by Manoj K. Jha

After this Mains exam, dilemma for the ethics paper is over. However, one thing is proved that this paper will play very crucial role in the future too, especially the ethics case study section. Ethics case study section alone counts for 125 marks in the GS mains paper 4, demands highly inclusive answer. Here is an example of how to approach them.

Case Study
Mr. ‘A’, a resident of a village and a person below poverty line (BPL) has sought information from PIO of his gram panchayat regarding information of all farmers in that gram panchayat who are having 2 acres of land for the last 30 years. He had given a specific format in which columns like age, male/female have to be furnished. To compile the information, rigorous exercise is required, because the some of information is scattered in 5000 pages and the coat of information is 10,000=00.

Suppose you are PIO of the concerned gram panchayat. The following are some suggested options. Please evaluate the merits and demerits of each options and indicate (without necessarily restricting to the options below), what you would like to do giving proper reasons.

(a) You should proceed on leave and leave the matter to be dealt by your successor
(b) Prepare all relevant informations and details as asked for and deliver to the applicant free of charge because he is from a BPL category.
(c) Issue notice to the applicant and ask from him what is the purpose of these informations and tell him to personally examine the records and collect th informations which are needed.
(d) Refuse to furnish these informations, because it is wastage of govt. resources.

Answer:
Evaluation of each of the options
(a) This appears to be convenient because one may be saved from facing a difficult problem. The successor may find a mechanism which might be practical convenient and in accordance with law. However, he may also buy time and wait for till PIO returns from leave. There is one more negative aspect of the action is that in the organization a strong message might go that PIO is escapist.
(b) The whole exercise will warrant using both man power and money as resources but there will be a satisfaction that applicant will be happy and so will be other people. But in this process there will be a disproportionate use of resources. If 10 such more RTI applications will be filed, the whole panchayat will have to divert its scarce resources. Other development and regulatory work of the Panchayat will suffer in the process.
(c) This options appears to be practical, as RTI has to serve some purpose. The person can visit the office and can examine the records. But he may questions, as to why the purpose of RTI has been asked.
(d) As it is very difficult to make ready information, PIO should refuse. The purpose of the act is to provide informations which are held by public authority. The public authority is not supposed to manufacture informations for applicant. However refusal by PIO without giving the option to applicant for inspection may invite punishment. On the basis of above it is clear that none of the above options is correct. PIO should request the applicant to visit the office and inspect the relevant records as per section
4(1) (b) × v of the RTI act. Public authority should ensure maximum suomotu disclosures. In-spite of this, if the applicant insists for voluminous informations in a particular format the PIO is well within his right to reject the request as per section 7(9) of the RTI Act.

IAS Score

25 Ethics Case Study for IAS Mains 2014 by S. K. Mishra, IAS (retd.)

  • by IAS Score

A careful collection of 25 case-studies, which covers all most all the topics of paper 4. These have been scientifically designed to test a candidate’s understanding on ethical choices and dilemmas in decision making; his/her approach towards decision making, which in fact would reveal the aptitude and attitude of the candidate. Similarly these also cover moral values, emotional intelligence, and work culture and corruption related choices and decision making issues.

Case Study 1. Very recently 6 national political parties have been declared as Public Authorities under RTI Act 2005. There is a politically conscious state where the people are very keen to know about one of the national party. The concerned political party has found its state office in a very bad condition, because records have not been put into order since long. The party has appointed you as PIO and has also requested you to set its office in order.

Answer the following, quoting also the relevant sections of RTI Act 2005.

(a) What could be frequently asked questions by the people? What will be your strategy to reduce your work load?
(b) What arrangement you will make to associate the people in formulation of the policy of the party.
(c) If some one asks what is the criteria of selection of candidates and allotment of party tickets, what will be your answer and why?
(d) If a person files a RTI application to know, why a particular M.P. has taken a particular position regarding an issue in parliament, what will be your reply and why? (250 Words)

Case Study 2. There is a poor person living in a rural area and wants to get his son admitted in a public school in a city. The school asks for T.C. and Character certificate and set out a deadline for submission otherwise the boy will not get admission. The father makes desperate attempt to procure the concerned documents, but could not get within time and the son does not get admission. In running from Pillar to Post, he met an accident and lost his two legs. His son meets you and requests you to help him in redressal of his grievances, including fixing accountability regarding injury to his father. You want to use provisions under RTI Act 2005.

(a) What are the various options available to you?
(b) Evaluate the merits and demerits of each option and suggest best course of action with justifications. (250 Words)

Case Study 3. You are head of a government office which has a large scale of public dealings. People normally come in the office for their routine problems like pension claims, insurance claims etc. There is an assistant who deals these subjects and there is complaint that he does not clear the claims before extracting a price for the same. He has the backing and patronage of a local influential politician. Other assistants are looking towards you for a decisive action. The work culture of the organization is reached to an all time low level. You have decided to act in the given situation.

(a) What are the various options available to you?
(b) Examine the merits and demerits of each option and suggest best course of action under the given situation? (250 Words)

Case Study 4. You are executive engineer of building construction deptt. and incharge of construction and maintenance of government quarters in a particular district. You have joined recently and has in course of your field inspection find large scale misuse of funds in both construction and in repair and maintenance of government quarters. You have started putting accountability on concerned asstt. and junior engineers. As a mark of protest all J.Es and A.Es have started a ‘go slow’ campaign. The financial year is going to close and still 50% of  funds remain unutilized. Your senior officers have suggested you to explore other options also.

(a) What are the options available to you?
(b) Examine merits/demerits of each options and suggest the best course of action  with reasons. (250 Words)

Case Study 5. You are head of a local anti-corruption unit and after getting a definite information raided a government office and found that two government officials are openly accepting bribes from two people. You had only a few other police personnel in plain cloth and all unarmed. The two corrupt officials started ‘crying’ that few robbers have entered into office and with the help of their colleagues got released 2 accused from your custody. In the process, few of your own people got injured.  When your senior officers came to know, they put the entire blame on you. Examine the case and answer the following.

(a) What are the ethical issues involved in the present case.
(b) What are the mistakes committed by you and what should have been ideal course of action. Give justifications for your answer. (250 Words)

Case Study 6. You are head of water supply board of a district town and incharge of supplying drinking water to the people. You had a detailed consultation with people regarding a citizen charger for water supply services. Based on the requirement and expectations of people, you had a discussion with your subordinates who were little reluctant about the charter but seeing your positive attitude ultimately agreed. You committed some hurry in implementation of charter and notice the following problems.

1. The quantum of water promised could not be ensured.
2. The quality of water did not improve.
3. One of your key functionary went on a long leave and you did not get his replacement.
4. The entire blame on the failure of charter came on you.

Ponder over the situation and answer the following

(a) What were the reasons of failure of citizen charter?
(b) What should have been ideal course of action and why? (250 Words)

Case Study 7. There is a panchayat level hospital for treatment of cattles, run and maintained by a group of three doctors of animal husbandary department of the state and is headed by you. The hospital has a reasonable infrastructure for both preventive and curative treatments of cattles. There are approximately 10 paramedical staff also available for providing various services. You along with your manpower hospital people (Doctors and Paramedical) and local villagers have jointly decided to introduce citizen charter for better and time bound delivery of various services.

(a) What should ideally be draft citizen charter?
(b) Discuss the merits/limitation of charter assigning proper reasons. (250 Words)

Case Study 8. A political party has been formed in the background of anti-corruption movement and poor delivery of public services. They have successfully raised their voice against rise in electricity tariff, irregularities in Public Distribution System (PDS), poor state of affairs in health and sanitation sector. Its leader is a person of unimpeachable integrity and has sufficient experience of government working. In election speeches and in manifesto the party has promised following things.

(a) They will create an anti-corruption agency which will investigate and punish the corrupt public servants within 6 months of instituting the criminal case.
(b) Reduce the power tarrif by half and also ensuring 24 hrs electric supply.
(c) Clean and sufficient drinking water to all citizens, free of cost.
(d) Ensuring the sale of vegetables also through P.D.S.
What could be limitations of political party in getting the above promises implemented, once they return into power (250 Words)

Case Study 9. You have recently joined as head of a district level government office which registers the unemployed people and provides necessary help and guidance so that they could get gainful employment. You find that office is full of dirt and file and records have been kept in most arbitrary manner. The subordinate officials are very rude to the visitors and ask money for providing various services to the youth, who come for seeking various assistance. As head of the organization what will be your specific response to the following with suitable justification.

(a) What step will be taken by you for keeping the files and records in proper order?
(b) What will be your specific action for creating a suitable grievance redressal mechanism for unemployed youths?
(c) What you will do regarding attainting the goals and objectives of your organization?
(d) What you will like to contribute for improving the work culture of your office? (250 Words)

Case Study 10. A state government has set up an anti-corruption unit to take a decisive action against prevailing corruption in various deptts. You have been chosen to head the unit because the government thinks that you are efficient, honest upright police officer. The unit has jurisdiction over practically every government deptt. of the state. You have been given a free hand to choose a team of 20 officials who will be assisting you.

(a) What are various choices before you regarding selection of your team with their merits and demerits?
(b) How you will build the capacity of the team so that it could effectively meet the challenges? (250 Words)

Case Study 11. You are commandant of an anti-terrorist unit that has been entrusted with the task of flushing the terrorists out who had been hiding in a religious place. They have also made 10 civilians as their hostages and are demanding a heavy ransom for their release and safe passage for them. It  is expected that number of terrorist is 4 whereas you have hardly 12 troops to assist you. Your subordinates are tired. Your senior officers are putting pressure on you to resolve the issue without any further loss of time.

(a) What are the various options available to you?
(b) Evaluate the merits/demerits of each option and suggest best possible option with justifications. (250 Words)

Case Study 12. An 8 years old male child of the businessman is kidnapped while returning from his school by an armed gang of criminals having strong support of a ruling party Minister. The gang has set out a time limit of 3 days to pay a heavy ransom amount otherwise they might kill the child. The conduct of some of the local police officer is doubtful. You are superintendent of district police and are under tremendous pressure to recover the child. The Controversial Minister was instrumental in getting you posted in the district and is putting indirect pressure on you to take the kidnapping as a routine crime.

What are the various options before you? Consider the following probable options. Discuss their merits/demerits and suggest best option with suitable justification.

(a) Go on a long leave so that the issue could be resolved in your absence.
(b) Mediate in the matter by using your personal relation with Minister.
(c) Lead personally, raiding the hide outs of criminals so that they could release the boy.
(d) Make a recommendation to state headquarter for investigation of the case by a special CID team. (250 Words)

Case Study 13. You are D.M of a district and an old window of 80 years meets you in your office and starts crying. What you could make out is that her two married sons have disowned her and are not allowing her to enter into their house. The lady had approached the local revenue officials and also elected representatives of PRIs but without any result. She neither has money nor any support system to rely upon.

(a) What are the options available to you?
(b) Examine the merits/demerits of each option and suggest best option with reasons. (250 Words)

Case Study 14. There is a busy railway station where the waiting rooms are unhygienic, there is no proper safe and clean drinking water facility, the enquiry system is dysfunctional and on reservation counter, the touts dictate everything. You are station superintendent and there is an advisory committee to look after the interest of railway passengers. You have decided to improve the work culture of the railway station. Your officials are willing to cooperate but reluctant to share responsibility.

(a) What are the options available to you?
(b) Examine the merits/demerits of each option and suggest the best course of action giving reasons. (250 Words)

Case Study 15. You are a middle rank land revenue officer posted in rural area. There is river which has to be crossed for going other side. Your jurisdiction also is on the other side of the river. Every year settlement of ferry services are made and the highest bidder arranges the local boats on which people cross the river. The rate of ferry services are fixed by you. Unfortunately, this year, during Moonsoon, one of the boat capsized in the river which resulted into drowning of 10 people. You have been warned by higher authorities that you should take safety measures, otherwise face the consequences. You have decided to act strictly. Following are some of the options. Examine the various options with their merits and demerits and finally suggest best course of action with justifications.

(a) Put a sign board on the bank of river warning the people of using ferry services, at their own risk.
(b) Request the district police chief to depute sufficient police for ensuring safety of the people.
(c) Ask the person who has taken the annual settlement to ensure safety of people.
(d) Depute a field level revenue official for ensuring safety, who should be always available on the river bank. (250 Words)

Case Study 16. You are an executive engineer of state road construction dept, and you have to construct an all weather road connecting a big village to a state highway. You find there is encroachments on either sides of the road. The Contractor in an influential person from a local village and is willing to help you. Your subordinates are obedient, but inefficient, The attitude of the local gram panchayat elected people is by and large corporative.

Answer the following questions.

(a) What precautions you propose to take before you start the project and why?
(b) What are the problems you anticipate and how you would be able to overcome the problems? (250 Words)

Case Study 17. You are a senior district level revenue officer incharge of revenue administration of the district. You have come to know that 3 poor landless families have made out a temporary structure over a vacant government land. In course of your inspection, your subordinate revenue officials report that the vacant land is of substantial value and inspite of their persuasion, 3 families are not vacating the land. You can not allow all these people to continue to occupy a valuable government land, as it will create a bad precedent, but uprooting them will not be morally correct. You are in a dilemma.

(a) What are the options before you?
(b) Examine the merits and demerits of each options and suggest best course of action with reason. (250 Words)

Case Study 18. You are a SHO posted in a tribal dominated remote area having considerable Naxalite problems. Under your jurisdiction there are three pickets where 20 troops each of central para military force are under charge of a sub inspector level CPMF officer. You have been entrusted with the work of taking interest in development work as well combing and flushing out the armed Naxalites from your area.

(a) What initiative will be taken by you for spreading and speeding development activities?
(b) What will be your strategy for ensuring peace and security and also flushing the armed naxalits?
(c) What special steps you propose to take to secure your police station safe and also your armed piekets? (250 Words)

Case Study 19. There is a residential high school for harizans and tribal girls in a remote area, where roughly 200 girls from 6th to 10th class standard study and live. Principal and teachers also live in the same premiss. Unfortunately examination results for the last three years has been found to be unsatisfactory and also health related problems of the girls appear time and again. The girls and their parents also raise security related issues from time to time. The principal has been provided with reasonable financial support. As school principal…

(a) What specific steps you should take to improve the annual results?
(b) How principal will take care of health related problems?
(c) What would be course of action of principal to remove fear from the mind of girls and their parents? Each of your answer must be along with benefits and limitations.
(250 Words)

Case Study 20. You are a medical officer incharge of a government dispensary in rural area. There are two other doctors, besides half a dozen para-medical staff posted under you. The dispensary has a support system from National Rural Health Mission. Suddenly you notice that ‘Dengue’ has spread over under your jurisdiction and four people died where as approximately 60 more cases of the disease reported from various parts. You want to face the challenge with the help of your fellow doctors and paramedical staff.

(a) What are various course of action you propose to take?
(b) Examine merits/demerits of each option and suggest best course of action with suitable justification? (250 Words)

Case Study 21. You are a block level development officer, incharge of rural water supply drinking water and sanitation. To help you, there is an Asstt Engineer and two Junior Engineers. Under your jurisdiction there are 45 villages which are prone to water borne disease. The elected panchayat members do not take much interest in the twin programs of drinking water and sanitation. There are 3 NGOs who are keen to take up the work, but last year each were provided with Rs 15 lac each for awareness generation and for petty repairs and maintenance of hand pumps, but they have not properly utilized the allotted money nor submitted the proper utilization certificates. There is enough of resoures at your disposal for these programme.

Answer the following questions on the basis of above situation.

(a) If you have to install 10 additional hand pumps, what will be your approach to ensure that the outlet is used by the villagers?
(b) How you will utilize the services of NGO’s and also make them accountable?
(c) There are 20 middle schools under your jurisdictions, how you will utilize your funds for making available sanitations and drinking water facilities in these schools?
(250 Words)

Case Study 22. An annual cattle fair is held every year which remains for 15 days and approximately 50 thousand people come every day for buying and selling their cattles and majority of them stay in the premises for many days together. There is a big pond in which the cattles and people both take their dip and some time also use water for drinking purpose and for cooking their meals. There is a temple, where the previous year four people lost their life due to stampede. There are few makeshift hotels and restaurants and other temporary arrangements for security, law and order, entertainment, medical facility etc.

You are a senior revenue officer of the district incharge of entire fair and have cantioned by your senior officers for taking necessary measure so that this year cattle fair goes well.

(a) What are various steps taken by you?
(b) Examine the advantages/limitations of these steps and suggest best course of action with reasons. (250 Words)

Case Study 23. You are head of private enterprise that has come into existence by providing land by the state government at a concessional rate. Your unit is producing motorbikes and scooters in good numbers and the annual profit of the unit is 550 crores (average). The board in the meeting has decided that from current year a small part of the profit should be utilized for provision of medical services for adjoining villages which are prone to leprosy, tuberculosis etc. You have submitted following proposals for consideration of board.

(1) Construction of a hospital for the purpose.
(2) Appointing few medical specialists and supporting paramedical staff.
(a) Examine the merits/demerits of these steps.
(b) Suggest best course of action with its advantages. (250 Words)

Case Study 24. You are a very senior Engineer of state government incharge of rural road sector. Your state government has successfully negotiated a deal under which a global financial institution has come forward to assit. the state government with a loan of 1500 crores for increasing the network of roads but expects that state government will submit a DPR (Detailed Project Report) in which sufficient safe guards are available against leakage of funds, repair and maintenance of roads for at least 10 years and timely completion of projects.

(a) What will be salient features of the DPR?
(b) Examine their merits/demerits and suggest best course of action with reasons. (250 Words)

Case Study 25. You are Municipal Commissioner of a Corporation and after joining found that the whole corporation is divided into two camps, including your corporation employes. Whole city is full of garbage, stinking everywhere. Corporation is being criticized by media and local people. What steps you propose to take to normalize the situation?

(150 Words)