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Indian
Economic Service
In today's competitive world,
one is dazed by the variety of careers available. The lure of
fast track careers, offered by the private sector has reduced
the number of candidates aspiring to join Government service
as officers, yet there are many candidates who still have
preference for Government jobs. Even today, the position of a
government officer is considered to be a prestigious one. Out
of several careers offered by the Government Sector, Indian
Economic Service (IES) offers a very attractive opening to
the graduates in Economics and Statistics.
Career Prospects
IES is the gateway to an exciting career in which the
selected candidates join the service as Group 'A' Officers
with excellent service conditions. The IES officers are
placed in the Planning Commission, Planning Board, Ministry
of Economic Affairs, National Sample Survey and other allied
offices/departments that need specialists on economic and
statistics. The nature of job is that of a specialist but at
the same time having administrative mould.
The service conditions offered by the IES are similar to
other Central Civil Services. The places of posting are
usually in the State capitals or New Delhi. A candidate
selected at a favourable age can expect to rise quite high in
the career and touch the level of even Secretary to the
Government of India, in any Ministry concerned with economic
affairs.
The examination
The competitive examination for the IES is conducted every
year by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) and
consists of two partswritten examination and interview. The
written examination contains maximum of 900 marks with five
papers as under:
Paper-I General English 150 marks
Paper-II General Studies 150 marks
Paper-III General Economics-I 200 marks
Paper-IV General Economics-II 200 marks
Paper-V Indian Economics 200 marks
Each paper is of three-hour duration and is in the form of
conventional essay type questions. Candidates are allowed to
appear only in one medium of examination i.e., English. The
candidates taking the exam should have completed 21 years of
age and should not be over 28 years. Minimum academic
qualification required is Bachelor's Degree with Economics or
Statistics. It is, however, observed that post-graduates in
Economics find it easier to take this examination.
How to Prepare?
It may be observed that General English is a full-fledged
paper and unlike in the Civil Services Examination, where
language paper is just qualifying in nature and the marks
obtained are not counted in the final merit, the marks
obtained in General English Paper in this examination form
part of the total score of the candidate. Hence, knowledge of
English Language plays an important role in this examination.
The General English Paper includes an essay, precis and other
descriptive questions to judge the candidates' comprehension
of English Language. Candidates with good base of English
Language can hope to do well. Essay, particula y, is very
important as it is an instrument for judging not only the
command over the language but also the depth of20knowledge
and expression of the candidate on a given topical essay.
Paper-II (General Studies) has a maximum of 150 marks. Like
other papers, it is descriptive in nature and is spread over
three-hour duration. Paper-I and II are of vital importance
as these papers assist a well-prepared candidate to get a
higher percentage of marks. Paper on General Studies includes
questions on Constitution of India, Indian History, physical,
regional and economic Geography, General Science, national
and international affairs, etc. Preliminary and basic study
of Indian Political System, Indian History and Geography is
required. A good book on General knowledge, supplemented by a
good competitive magazine is a must for thorough
preparations. In addition regular reading of a good and
standard national newspaper also helps in updating the
knowledge of current national and international affairs. The
question paper may also have a question or two on economic
planning and other economic problems, which the candidates
otherwise also prepare for Paper-V (Indian Economics).
The remaining three papers are on Economics and carry 200
marks each. First is the paper on Economic Theory consisting
of Micro and Macro-economic Theories. The syllabi of Micro
and Micro Economics conforms to the syllabi of post-graduate
classes in a standard university.
To prepare for this paper, standard books prescribed at
post-graduate level for theory are considered to be most
suitable. Efforts of the candidates should be to acquire the
conceptual clarity so that even the complicated questions are
tackled properly. The questions, in fact, are directed at
judging the depth of knowledge of the candidates in economic
theory. A candidate with a clear understanding of the subject
can expect to do well in this paper.
Second paper of Economics consists of other allied theories
of economics including Monetary and Fiscal Theory,
Development, Planning, International Economics and Welfare
Economics. The syllabus for this paper also consist of
important aspects of the above disciplines of economic
theory, which are taught at the post-graduate level in any
standard Indian university. The paper also includes some
input on basics of statistics. The candidates are also
advised not to leave any part of the syllabus untouched and
should prepare all the aspects thoroughly.
While the material for first two papers of economics is
available in plenty and in a structured form, the
preparations required for the third paper on Indian Economy
require special efforts. The problem which a candidate faces
in preparing for this paper is that even the latest edition
of book on Indian Economics does not contain the latest data.
With presentation and analysis of latest data only one can
expect to score good marks. The standard text books on Indian
Economy, therefore, need supplementing with good and reliable
sources of data on Indian Economic Problems. One good source
of latest data on Indian Economy is the latest pre-budget
Economic survey, which is usually released every year by the
Publications Division, Government of India. Another rich and
reliable source is the latest Five Year Plan document which
also gives an insight into the sector-wise five-year targets
and performance of the previous plan. Yojana, a fortnightly
magazine published by the Publications Division, is also
useful. To get first hand and latest information on the
important topics on Indian Economy, the regular feature
titled as ARTICLE in the Competition Master is particularly
important as it gives latest data as well as analysis of the
problems faced by Indian Economy as well as its achievements.
Understanding and knowledge of Indian Economy is more
important as even the questions on second paper on Economics
are also asked with special reference to the Indian Economy.
A standard economic oriented newspaper also goes a long way
in preparing for this paper.
While preparing for this examination, it must be remembered
that it is a competitive examination. Every aspirant is
presumed to be well versed with three papers on Economics.
Candidates, thus, must prepare well not only in three papers
on economics but also in the subjects of General Studies and
General English. Thorough study, therefore, is a must to
score over other candidates.
Like other competitive examinations, IES also requires
planned preparation, determination, hardwork and will to
succeed. The competition is distinct from the Civil Services
Examination in as much as it has only one medium of
examination, i.e., English and the marks obtained in General
English are counted towards the final merit of the written
examination. Moreover there is no preliminary examination.
The competition is slightly restricted, as the graduates with
Economics or Statistics only are eligible.
Interview
After the merit list is prepared on the basis of written
examination, it is followed by an interview. The interview
has a maximum of 250 marks and the marks obtained in the
interview are added to the score of the written examination,
for drawing-up the final merit list. Although there are no
prescribed minimum marks for getting an interview call, this
is decided by several factors like the number of vacancies
and the level of marks obtained by the candidates in general.
Candidates called for the interview have to be thoroughly
prepared. The performance of the candidates and their
academic record is before the interview board and hence, the
interview is aimed at judging the depth of the knowledge of
the candidates. The board not only judges the knowledge of
the candidate in Economics, it also tries to ascertain the
suitability of the candidate for the IES. In this effort, the
expression and intelligence of the candidate particularly
comes under close scrutiny. The interest of the candidates in
the current national and international events is also an
important criterion to judge the versatility of the
candidates. Other qualities which are also judged are
initiative, intelligence, and communication skills.
To do well in the interview it is essential that the
candidates carry out special preparations. Allied subjects
like Indian Polity, Geography, Science and Technology, etc
are required to be prepared. The candidates must also prepare
adequately in the current events, both national and
international. Regular reading of a standard competitive
magazine and good newspaper would help the candidates to
prepare well for the interview. Discussion on current
national and international issues with other aspirants and
friends also goes a long way in assisting a candidate to
prepare well. While preparing, the candidates may practice by
using the technique of mock-interviews. Interview gains more
importance in this competition as the marks of interview come
to about 22 per cent of maximum marks (i.e. 1150 marks). In
contrast, interview marks form only 12 per cent of maximum
marks (i.e. 2050 marks) in the Civil Services Examination.
A thorough preparation would, therefore, result in success of
the candidates at this examination and would help the
candidates desirous of taking up this prestigious career. The
number of vacancies vary from 20 to 40 every year. The
selected candidates can get the mundane satisfaction of being
instrumental in taking policy decision for the economy within
their area of operations. Candidates having right aptitude
and interest in a career in economic policy-making may, thus
start preparations straightaway.
Assistant's Grade Examination
Assistant's Grade Examination is conducted every year by the
Staff Selection Commission for recruitment to the posts of
Assistants in the Railway Board Secretariate Service, Central
Secretariate Service, Armed Forces Headquarters, Departmental
Organisations and attached offices of the Government of India
as decided from time to time and Grade IV (Assistants) of
General Cadre of Indian Foreign Service (B). The selected
candidates are recruited as Assistants in the above mentioned
departments of the Government of India, which is the lower
middle rung of the administrative hierarchy.
The career as Assistant is particularly attractive to the
candidates clamouring for the Government jobs. After
recruitment to the post of Assistant, the candidate may rise
to the level of Under/Deputy Secretary20to the Government of
India. While climbing to this post, the candidates may be
selected as Section Officers through a Departmental
Competitive Examination held by the Union Public Service
Commission.
Scheme of Examination
The Assistant's Grade Examination is held every year by the
Staff Selection Commission as a Competitive examination. The
number of vacancies vary from year to year based on the
requirement of vacancies given by various departments from
time to time. Depending upon the number of vacancies,
reservation is also made for Scheduled Caste (SC), Scheduled
Tribe (ST) and Other Backward Classes (OBCs) as per the
existing instructions on this issue.
Every candidate holding a graduate degree from a recognised
university or equivalent qualification is eligible to take
the examination. The age of the candidates must be 20 to 25
years, with usual age relaxation to the SCs, STs and Ex-Sservicemen
as per rules. An examination fee of Rs 50 is required to be
remitted along with the form. SC, ST, Ex-Servicemen and
Physically handicapped candidates are exempted from making
the payment of examination fee.
The Competition is conducted in two parts:
(a) Preliminary Examination
(b) Main Examination.
(a) Preliminary Examination: Preliminary examination is an
objective type examination used to short-list the candidates
for the main examination. It is a 3-hour duration examination
comprising 4 subjects of (i) Reasoning Ability (ii) General
Awareness (iii) Arithmetic; and (iv) Language Paper (English
or Hindi) and carry a maximum of 300 marks. The examination
is mainly used as a screening test to short-list the
candidates for main examination and the marks obtained in
this examination are not used while determining the final
merit list after the main examination.
The paper is held by supplying separate question booklets for
all tests separately. The questions asked are set in both
English as well as Hindi and are Objective (Multiple choice)
Type. Language Paper (English or Hindi) is qualifying in
nature and the marks secured by the candidates in this test
are not counted towards the overall merit to be prepared for
qualifying for the Main Examination. No qualifying marks have
been fixed and are determined on year to year basis depending
on the number of candidates taking the Preliminary
Examination, number of vacancies and overall performance of
the candidates in general.
(b) Main Examination: The candidates who are declared
successful in the Preliminary Examination are then required
to take the Main Examination.
The papers in Main Examination are conventional and
descriptive type. In Paper I, Part (a) consists of General
English which is compulsory for all candidates but is only
qualifying in nature and its marks are not included in the
final merit list. No qualifying marks for General English
part are prescribed and are fixed on year to year basis at
the discretion of the Staff Selection Commission. However,
marks obtained in the part (b) on Communication/writing
skills are counted towards final rankings of the candidates.
The candidates also have an option to write this paper either
in Hindi or English. However, Part (b) of Paper-I
(Communication/writing skills) and Paper -II (Arithmetic) are
evaluated only if the candidate qualify the Part (a) of
Paper-I.
Preparing for Preliminary Examination
The candidates must opt for the language in which they feel
more confident and at home. No additional weightage is given
for taking the Language Paper in any particular language. The
other three tests on Reasoning Ability, General Awareness and
Arithmetic are more important and like the language paper,
carry 75 multiple choice objective type questions each with
the same amount of marks.
The Competition Master is of immense use in preparing for the
Preliminary Examination. Every issue of this magazine carries
at least two model solved test papers on Reasoning, at least
one solved paper each on General Awareness, English Language
and Quantitative Aptitude. In addition, features like Model
Paragraphs, Examiners' Guess, Improve Your Word Power and
Facts About Science in every issue cover the entire range of
subjects for the Preliminary Examination. The Reasoning
Ability test may include certain questions on common sense, a
few pertaining to figures, relationship, statements, series
of numbers etc. The range of questions on General Awareness
is much wider. It inlcudes questions on current national and
international affairs, Indian Geography, Modern Indian
History, Indian Planning and Economy and General Science etc.
The questions on Arithmetic are on elementary arithmetic,
statistics, numbers, graphs and general quantitative
aptitude. All these aspects of the Preliminary Examination
are amply covered in each and every issue of The Competition
Master. A continuous reading of the magazine for two to three
years would put the candidate ahead of others. To supplement,
it is desirable that books on Test of Reasoning, General
Knowledge Refresher and Current Affairs and the Backgrounders
are also consulted. Regular practice of attempting objective
type (multiple choice) questions also helps the candidates to
a large extent.
Time Planning is another important factor while attempting
this paper as the candidates are required to answer 300
questions in 180 minutes (3 hours) and every question carries
one mark. Hence it is imperative that the candidates attempt
all the questions within stipulated time. This is only
possible if no time is wasted on any question and regular
practice is carried out before finally taking this
examination.
Main Examination
The main aim of the examination is to look for the candidates
who have a minimum required level of knowledge of English
level and have fairly good written communication skills
either in Hindi or English language. In addition, the
examination also judges the capability of the candidates in
simple arithmetic to see whether the candidates can carry out
simple and logical calculations which may be required in day
to day discharge of duties as Assistants. Of course, only
those candidates are considered who have already qualified
the Preliminary Examination and passed the minimum knowledge
requirement prescribed by it.
Part (a) of Paper-I is qualifying which is on General
English. It has simple questions to test the knowledge of
English Language and comprehension of the candidates. It
tests the general understanding of the language, usage of
words, precis, paragraphs etc. The second part on
communication and writing skills judges the candidates by
asking them to write Essay, Topical Paragraphs, Letters and
Reports etc. The candidates must, therefore, practice all
these aspects in the language of their choosing, i.e. Hindi
or English. Paper-I on Arithmetic can also be written in
either language. This paper also requires thorough practice
solving simple sums of arithmetic, statistics, graphs etc. A
candidate having moderately good aptitude for arithmetic and
quantitatives can expect to do well in this paper. Continuous
practice of attempting the Quantitative Aptitude Test every
month in this magazine will be of great help. The practice in
doing more and more questions will not only enhance the
problem-solving speed of the candidate but will also acquaint
him/her with different type of expected problems and proper
way to tackle them expeditiously and accurately.
One special feature of this examination is that there is no
subjective judgement of the candidate in the form of
Personality Test or Interview. The marks obtained in the Main
Examination, which is conducted after short listing the
serious candidates after the Prelims, determine the position
of a candidate in the final merit list. Hence, a candidate
who prepares well for the examination is expected to do well
in this competition. Hard work and good preparation are the
key words.
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