(TIPS & TRICKS) How to prepare for the Public Administration Optional : Sriram's IAS

Civil Services Mains Examination is designed to test conceptual clarity, analytical skills, balanced assessment and empirical foundation of a student. In addition, a sense of discrimination and exercise of critical judgement play a significant role in any strategy for the preparation. While most candidates have the potential in them, the mains examination provides an opportunity to hone their skills with a view to translate them into reality. What applies to the mains examination in general, applies to the public administration as a discipline.

For the aspirant who has taken a decision to join the civil services, public administration provides an excellent launching pad for being a model administrator. Given that the available time is limited and requirements are several and demanding, a well-thought out strategy makes the difference between success and failure.

Ingredients of a 'smart strategy' are:

Every candidate appearing for the mains examination should be conversant with the fundamentals of the structure, process, behaviour and environment of the administrative system. It's equally important that the student should be conversant with the contemporary and the current developments of socio-political and economic nature that have a close bearing on the functioning of the administration. For example, changing governors; direct grants to panchayats; economic reforms with a human face; globalisation and administration; second generation reforms and the social infrastructure; right to information and participative development.

Amassing information is a big 'don't'. Analytical frameworks structured with relevant and up-to-date information is the need of the hour. As mentioned earlier, candidates should be able to identify 'core areas' which cannot be avoided in the context of the mains examination and consolidate. The substance of consolidation is quest for clarity, relevance and precision.

Most importantly, study and writing practice should reinforce each other. Writing practice holds the key to success. It ensures legibility, time management and adherence to word limit. Effective introduction, logical build up and balanced conclusion send the right signals to the evaluator.

Every question needs to be studied carefully to understand the exact requirements. For instance, some years ago, in the mains examination, the office of the Prime Minister was given and some took it for Prime Minister's Office. At times, questions can be provocative but the aspirant should not lose the sense of balance in formulating the answer. Several times, the questions are general in nature and not direct. The aspirant is required to reflect and derive the answer from his familiarity with the discipline. For example, criminalisation of politics and politicisation of crime; public sector enterprises are neither public nor enterprises; recruitment of recruiters needs to be streamlined and planning in India needs to be depoliticised.

For short questions, answers should be direct and precise. For example, if a question ends with 'comment', the aspirant is expected to react to the question. In a long essay, introduction should be appealing and effective. Elaboration of the theme should be properly prioritised. Sequencing should be done in such a manner that one paragraph logically follows from another. Depending upon the paper I or II, apt illustrations add value. While answering a question on welfare administration, the concept of welfare needs to be supplemented with the initiatives undertaken by the government highlighting the different types of programmes, the coverage and the resource profile. Perspective needs to be supported with details. Allusion to affirmative action is a plus.

Unlike general studies, public administration requires interpretative skills, ability to correlate theory and practice; and synchronise conventional with the current. For example, presidential activism in India; budget as an instrument of socio-economic transformation; citizen-administration interface and e-governance; regulation and development; development and delivery models.

The stage of consolidation has arrived. Extensive reading needs to be suspended. Intensive and focused approach built on analysis needs to be scrupulously adhered to. Answers need to be regularly written and evaluated by experienced teachers. Suggestions for improvement should be followed studiously. Atleast two weeks before the examination, writing exercises should be stopped and the entire attention should be on revision.

As told Amit Kr Chanda

Srirangam Sriram is the director of Sriram's IAS

Courtesy: timesofindia.indiatimes.com