UPSC Civil Services Examination 2016: Mains General Studies Paper 4 Analysis

Analysis - UPSC CIVIL SERVICES EXAMINATION 2016 (Mains)

#1. GENERAL STUDIES [PAPER-4]

Like previous year – Theory worth 120 marks and Case Studies worth 130 marks

 = Total 250 marks.

Overall analysis

• The GS paper - 4 was a bit lengthy.
• Easier for those who have Pub Ad Or Sociology as optional.
• Topics were easy but the knowledge required to answer was deep.
• Some bouncers were present but this is UPSC’s speciality.
• Overall this was a moderate paper in difficulty level.

Comparison with Past Papers

Topic-wise breakup

#1.1 Theories

• Question related to John Rawls, Mahatma Gandhi’s seven sins were difficult one as that much deep candidates usually does not go.

(Q - Analyse John Rawls’s concept of social justice in Indian Context.)

(Q - Discuss Mahatma Gandhi’s concept of seven sins.)

• Weber and Kautilya also asked (so congrats to those who have pub ad. Optional).

(Q - Corruption causes misuse of government treasury, administrative  inefficiency and obstruction in the path of national development.” Discuss Kautilya’s view. )

(Q - “Max Weber said that it is not wise to apply to public administration the sort of moral and ethical norms we apply to matters of personal conscience. It is important to realise that the State bureaucracy might possess its own independent bureaucratic morality.” Critically analyse this statement)

• Direct question on 2^nd ARC Report.

(Q - Discuss the Public Service Code as recommended by the 2nd Administrative Reforms Commission.)

• Each year minimum one question on family – society values vs. ideal values.

(Q - Law and ethics are considered to be the two tools of controlling human conduct so as to make it conducive to civilized social existence.

(a) Discuss how they achieve this objective.

(b) Giving examples, show how the two differ in their approaches.)

• First time asked question on Social influence / persuasion as a tool for Swatchh Bharat Mission (questions on Schemes can be pretty much expected in next year’s paper too)

(Q - How could social influence and persuasion contribute to the success of Swach Bharat Abhiyan?)

#1.2. Case Studies

• Examiner has grown more concerned about ethics within private companies- two case studies each year in 2015 and 2016
• From work culture case studies are formed instead of theoretical question. (These case studies are usually related to sexual harassment, work deadline, Chalta hai mindset, pressure from above etc.)
• Empathy, tolerance & compassion towards weaker sections case study question was formed this year. (From this topic, case studies are formed e.g. old lady needing social welfare, child labourers etc.)

Concluding notes

• This paper is to check the moral strength and ethical understanding of candidate.
• Great thinkers and leadres are imporatant as mentioned in syllabus.
• Try to get the nerve of their ideology in present scenario.
• Solve case study questions in rational as well as empathetic way.
• Gandhi, Nehru, Karl Marx, Kautilya, Ambedkar, Tagore, Socrates, Aristotle, Weber - are always important.
• Common Sense is the basic requirement for this paper.

Team gradeup!

Click here for Paper 1 Analysis

Click here for Paper 2 Analysis

Click here for paper 3 Analysis