Strategy and Study Plan - Easy To - Use Simple Approach for GS- IV
(Ethics, Integrity and Aptitute)

The General Studies for is the unique paper to test the ethical values and competense of the candidate in Adminstrative decisions.The UPSC is not assess the knowledge of the candidate but it assess the application of individuals approach to resolve problems faced by the Stake holders of the society.A structured answer and strategical approach is crucial to score high marks.

1. Basic Concepts and Syllabus Topics :

The Candidate has to understand foundational Concepts and essential definitions of the syllabus.You must able to define, explain the core concepts in the Paper.

• Ethics and Human Interface : In this, Candidate has ot understand the concepts of Ethics, Human Interface and Action, Dimensions of Ethics and its role in public and private relationships.

• Attitute : The Candidate has to understand the content, structure, functions and moral attitude along with Political, Social and Economic Dimensions in the answer writting approach.

• Aptitute and Foundational Values for Civil Service : In this, Integrity, Impartiality, Non-partisanship, Objectivity, Dedication to public service, Empathy, Tolerance and Compassion towards the vulnerable sections of the society.

• Emotional Intelligence : Its Concepts, Applications and their Utility in Adminstration and Governance.

• Contribution of Moral thinker from India and World :

  Indian Thinkers – Gandhi, Nehru, Patel, Ambedkar, Vivekananda, and Tagore and mondern writters views of values.

  World Thinkers – Plato, Aristotle, Kant, Bentham, and J.S. Mill and mondern writters views of values.

• Probity in Governance : concepts of public service, philosophical bases of governance, and probity.

  Citizen Charters, Code of Ethics, Code of Conduct and recent Adminstrative reforms and Acts with are relavent to Social and Adminstrative Issues.

2. Strategy and Study Plan :

• Study the Syllabus and Case Studies properly from the NEWS Paper Editorials and Open Ed Pages.

• Previous Years Question(PYQ's)(5 to 7 Yrs) Shall be Analyse and find patterns and nature of the questions.

• Cover the Basics with in one to two(1 to 2)months from NCERT -Physcalogy Philosophy Text Books.

  Refer to standard textbooks such as Lexicon for Ethics and Integrity (very useful for definitions and concepts).

  Ethics, Integrity & Aptitude by G. Subba Rao (very useful for theoretical concepts and examples).

  Second ARC - Fourth Report - "Ethics in Governance" (very useful for public Adminstration and probity in governance)

  Read Daily NEWS Papers like (Hindu / Indian Express) for Case Studies and Government policies and also to understand Stake holders problems.

• Integrite Current Affairs with syllabus(very useful for Case Studies and Examples) .

3. Practice Daily Mains Quesitons:

The Candidate is Adviced to Attempt consistent answer writting to both Section A and Section Bog the syllabus.

• Answer writting is the most crucial skill to get high marks.

• Take Sectional and Full length test of both Concepts and Case Studies.

• Focus on Clarity, Cohenrence and Write Simple Language.

• Answer should contain Introduction(Definition), Body(Arguments/Theories with Example)and Conculsion with though provoking approach.

4. Toppers and Mentors Advice :

The Core advice Strategy is to apply Ethical Concepts parctically and present your answers like a pragmatic and Ethical Civil Service .

• Define and Master the Keywords of your syllabus.

• Your Arguments/Analysis with clear and Ethical Principles.

• Write a real life example and Case Studies with Ethical relavence to the Quesitons.

• Use Real Life Examples from your own life,school, College are work to Demonstrate your Ethical values.

• Simple and Unpretentious Examples are highly valued and gives high score.

• Case Studies - Section B is Exclusively important with 120 to 130 marks ,Requires a Practical and reliaable application of Case Studies.

  Identify all the Stake Holder interest in the society.

  Observe Honesty, Integrity, Justice and Responsibility while Attempting answers.

  Observe and conculde with the best and most practical action that prioritizes public service.

  Think like an IAS Officer and write answer in that tone.

• Topper and Mentors adviced to use Flow Charts and Diagrams in your answer wherever the Quesiton demands you.

• Analyze critical quotations and illustrate with clear examples in your answer.