New Syllabus & Strategy
Now the OAS Exam has undergone a paradigm shift. The pattern and the quality of questions are somewhat resembling the IAS Exam pattern. So the preparation for both the exam are similar now. For the young graduates, it is a good opportunity to crack both the exam simultaneously. It is very familiar for the students preparing for IAS Exam seriously. In the changed scenario, I want to say something to the aspiring students for the preparation style for the OAS Exam.
Preparation Strategy
If you are a new comer, plz first understand the Exam. Spend sometimes in reading syllabus and some last years papers. But I will suggest you to go through some past years' question papers of IAS Exam as OAS Exam is similar to IAS Exam now.
Prelim Exam
Now we will talk about the Prelim Exam. The syllabus is similar to the UPSC IAS Prelim Syllabus. But this time two more sections have been added. These are History of Odisha & Odia Nationalism and Physical, Social, & Economic Geography of Odisha.
General Studies Paper-I Syllabus
It has 100 questions broadly covering the following topics carrying a maximum of 200 marks to be solved in 2 hours.
Current events of National & International importance.
History of India & Indian National Movement.
History of Odisha and Odia Nationalism
Indian & Odisha Geography – Physical, Social, Economic Geography of India & the World.
Indian Polity & Governance – Constitution, Political System, Panchayati Raj, Public Policy, Rights Issues, etc.
Economic & Social Development – Sustainable Development, Poverty, Inclusion, Demographics, Social Sector Initiatives, etc.
General issues on Environmental ecology, Bio-diversity & climate change – that do not require subject specialization.
General Science.
It has 100 questions broadly covering the following topics carrying a maximum of 200 marks to be solved in 2 hours.
Current events of National & International importance.
History of India & Indian National Movement.
History of Odisha and Odia Nationalism
Indian & Odisha Geography – Physical, Social, Economic Geography of India & the World.
Indian Polity & Governance – Constitution, Political System, Panchayati Raj, Public Policy, Rights Issues, etc.
Economic & Social Development – Sustainable Development, Poverty, Inclusion, Demographics, Social Sector Initiatives, etc.
General issues on Environmental ecology, Bio-diversity & climate change – that do not require subject specialization.
General Science.
So you need to prepare these two topics this time. I will suggest to read Odisha History & Geography Books. You can take the help of Google & ChatGPT for various topics. They are useful.
The last year (2021) Prelim paper was a paradigm shift from the usual pattern. You analyse the past years questions along with the last year questions. You will find some pattern and area from where usually questions are asked. If you find those area and understand the pattern, it will be easier for you clear the prelim. But uncertainty is there, so do not neglect the prelim thinking it is a qualifying stage.
You can find the solutions of the previous years' prelim questions with solutions in the prelim notes section of my Blog.
CSAT
CSAT or General studies paper-2 is a qualifying paper. You need to score 33% i.e 66 marks out of 200 to pass this paper. But gradually the difficulty level of this paper is increasing. So don't take risk of not not giving any importance to this paper. I will suggest you to solve some past years' IAS CSAT Paper and check your score. If it is more than 90. Then it okay. Otherwise practice some questions along with their techniques. I am sure, it will help you. The syllabus of the CSAT paper is almost same with the UPSC IAS CSAT Paper.
General Studies Paper-II ( CSAT)Syllabus
It comprises of 80 questions from the following topics carrying a maximum of 200 marks to be solved in 2 hours.
Comprehension.
Interpersonal skills including communication skills.
Logical reasoning & analytical ability.
Decision making & problem solving.
General mental ability.
Basic numeracy (numbers & their relations, orders of magnitude, etc.) (Class X level), Data interpretation (charts, graphs, tables, data sufficiency, etc. – Class X level)
It comprises of 80 questions from the following topics carrying a maximum of 200 marks to be solved in 2 hours.
Comprehension.
Interpersonal skills including communication skills.
Logical reasoning & analytical ability.
Decision making & problem solving.
General mental ability.
Basic numeracy (numbers & their relations, orders of magnitude, etc.) (Class X level), Data interpretation (charts, graphs, tables, data sufficiency, etc. – Class X level)
Taking experience from the last years prelim paper, I will suggest you to give more focus to current affairs. SO read The Hindu or The New Indian Express regularly. Its mandatory this time. Both the papers are good. You can choose either. Along with it Prepare the Govt Schemes of last 2 years with some details. It will help you for sure.
Main Exam
The pattern of main exam has been changed now. The syllabus is more or less similar to the UPSC IAS Syllabus. But special preference has been given to Odisha. So you will find a lot of Odisha related content. Read the syllabus of GS-1, GS-2, GS-3, & GS-4 thoroughly and try to make notes for each topic. Along with the topics, you need to note the related current affairs. The best source according to me is the Newspaper. You can choose any newspaper I have mentioned above. I will suggest you to learn the Newspaper and make notes useful for various topics mentioned in the Syllabus.
GS-4 is the Ethics paper. OPSC has introduced it for the first time. But it has been introduced in UPSC in 2013. So go through the past years' papers of UPSC IAS Exam to have better clarity. Toal 12 questions will be asked in this paper. 6 from Section-A & 6 from Section-B.
Plz go through the Mock test copy of past IAS Toppers and make notes of the relevant points from their answers. It will definitely help you. You will thank me later.
For Essay, First you read some Past IAS Toppers Essay copy and try to understand the flow of the writing. Yous GS preparation and Newspaper notes will help you alot. This year( 2021), the changed the pattern of the Essay. Previously they were asking a single essay of 200 marks now they are asking to write two essay of 250 marks. Women, Environment, SciTech, Education, COVID-19, etc are some useful topics. This year they had asked some thinkers' Quote as essay topic. So the Essays are becoming like UPSC Essay. So prepare accordingly. You can read my Essay writing strategy and tips from my Blog.
If you want to make practice, you can join my mentorship programme. It will definitely help you.
Syllabus of OPSC Main Examination Papers
I. Qualifying Papers on Odia Language and English
The pattern of questions would be broadly as follows:
English Language:
(i) Comprehension of given passages.
(ii) Precis Writing.
(iii) Usage and Vocabulary & Grammar
(iv) Short Essays.
(v) Translation from Odia to the English Language
I. Qualifying Papers on Odia Language and English
The pattern of questions would be broadly as follows:
English Language:
(i) Comprehension of given passages.
(ii) Precis Writing.
(iii) Usage and Vocabulary & Grammar
(iv) Short Essays.
(v) Translation from Odia to the English Language
Odia Languages:
(i) Comprehension of given passages.
(ii) Precis Writing.
(iii) Usage and Vocabulary & grammar
(iv) Short Essays.
(v) Translation from English to the IOdia Language
II. Paper-I: Essay
Candidates may be required to write essays on multiple topics.
They will be expected to keep closely to the subject of the essay to arrange their ideas in orderly fashion, and to write concisely.
Credit will be given for effective and exact expression.
III. Paper-II:
(i) Comprehension of given passages.
(ii) Precis Writing.
(iii) Usage and Vocabulary & grammar
(iv) Short Essays.
(v) Translation from English to the IOdia Language
II. Paper-I: Essay
Candidates may be required to write essays on multiple topics.
They will be expected to keep closely to the subject of the essay to arrange their ideas in orderly fashion, and to write concisely.
Credit will be given for effective and exact expression.
III. Paper-II:
General Studies-1: Indian Heritage and Culture, Odisha Heritage & Culture,
History and Geography of the World & Society
Heritage and Culture
Indian culture covering the salient aspects of Art forms, Literature and Architecture from Ancient to Modern times.
⚫ Temple Architecture of Odisha.
⚫ Socio-cultural development in Odisha.
⚫ Bhakti Movement in Odisha and its impact on the Society of Odisha.
⚫ Evolution and Growth of Odia Language and Literature and development of
Odia Literature
Regional Tradition of Odisha-Festivals.
History
⚫ Modern Indian history from about the middle of the eighteenth century until
the present-significant events, personalities, issues.
The Freedom Struggle its various stages and important contributors/
contributions from different parts of the country. Post-independence consolidation and reorganization within the country.
⚫ Kalinga War and its significance
⚫ Dynastic History of Odisha: Mahameghavahana Kharavela, The Bhauma Karas
and The Somavamsis, The Gangas and Gajapatis.
⚫ Early Resistance Movements in Odisha- Paik Rebellion, Vir Surendra Sai and
the Revolt of 1857.
• Creation of Odisha Province.
⚫ Freedom Movement and Praja Mandal Movements in Odisha; Social bases of
Odia Nationalism; Integration of Princely States in Odisha; Social reform
movements in Odisha.
Geography of India with special reference to Odisha
Physical, economic and social geography of India.
Important Geophysical phenomena such as earthquakes, Tsunami, Volcanic activity, cyclone, geographical features and their location-changes in critical geographical features (including water-bodies and ice-caps) and in flora and fauna and the effects of such changes.
⚫ Odisha's natural resources: water, forests & minerals.
⚫ Odisha's Physiography and Riverine system.
⚫Salient features of Indian society, Diversity of India and Odisha.
Role of women and women's organization, population an associated
issues, poverty and developmental issues, urbanization, their problems and remedies.
• Effects of globalization on Indian society as a whole and Odisha.
Distribution and growth of tribes and tribal population in Odisha;
Urbanization-Growth of urban population and urban centres in Odisha.
⚫ Social empowerment, communalism, regionalism & secularism.
PAPER-III
General Studies-II: Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice and Inter-
State Relations
Governance, Constitution, Polity and Inter-state relations
⚫ Indian Constitution historical underpinnings, evolution, features,
amendments, significant provisions and basic structure.
Functions and responsibilities of the Union and the States, issues and
challenges pertaining to the federal structure, devolution of powers and finances up to local levels and challenges therein.
Separation of powers between various organs dispute redressal mechanisms and institutions.
Comparison of the Indian constitutional scheme with that of other countries.
• Parliament and State legislatures-structure, functioning, conduct of business, powers & privileges and issues arising out of these.
Structure, organization and functioning of the Executive and the Judiciary
Ministries and Departments of the Government; pressure groups and
formal/informal associations and their role in the Polity.
Salient features of the Representation of People's act, Odisha Right to Public
Services Act and Odisha Lokayukta Act.
Appointment to various Constitutional posts, powers, functions, and responsibilities of various Constitutional bodies.
⚫ Statutory, regulatory, and various quasi-judicial bodies.
• Important aspects of governance, transparency and accountability, e-
governance- applications, models, successes, limitations, and potential; citizens
charters, transparency & accountability, and institutional and other measures.
Role of Central and State Civil services in a democracy.
⚫ Panchayati Raj Institution (PRIS) in Odisha.
• Odisha and its neighborhood-relations.
Social Justice
⚫ Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation-India and Odisha.
women SHGS.
the performance of these schemes; mechanisms, laws, institutions, and
⚫ Development processes and the development industry- the role of MSMES &
⚫ Welfare schemes for vulnerable sections of the population by the State and
Bodies constituted for the protection and betterment of these vulnerable sections- India and Odisha.
⚫ Issues relating to development and management of social sector/ Services relating to Health, Education, Human Resources - India and Odisha.
⚫ Issues relating to poverty and hunger-Sustainable Development Goals.
PAPER-IV
General Studies-III: Technology, Economic Development, Bio-diversity,
Environment, Security and Disaster Management
Science & Technology
⚫ Science and Technology-developments and their applications and effects in
everyday life.
⚫ Achievements of Indians in science & technology; Indigenisation of technology
and developing new technology.
⚫ Awareness in the fields of IT, Space, Computers, Robotics, Nanotechnology, Bio-technology and issues relating to intellectual property rights.
Economic Development
Indian Economy and issues relating to planning, mobilization of resources, growth, development and employment.
⚫ Inclusive growth and issues arising from it.
⚫ Government Budgeting-India and Odisha.
Land reforms in India & Odisha.
• Effects of liberalization on the economy, changes in industrial policy and their
effects on industrial growth.
⚫ Infrastructure: Energy, Posts, Roads, Airports, Railways in the Country and
Odisha.
⚫ Industrialisation in Odisha - Issues and prospects.
Agriculture
Major cropping patterns in various parts of the country, different types of
irrigation and irrigation systems storage, transport and marketing of agricultural produce and issues and related constraints; e-technology in the aid of farmers in India & Odisha.
issues related to direct and indirect farm subsidies and minimum support prices; Public Distribution System- objectives, functioning, limitations, revamping; issues of buffer stocks and food security; Technology missions;
economics of animal-rearing in India & Odisha - Doubling of Farmers' Income.
Food processing and related industries in India & Odisha - scope and significance, location, upstream and downstream requirements, supply chain management.
Biodiversity and Environment
Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment.
Disaster and Disaster Management in the Country and in Odisha State institutions and policies on Disaster Management. Linkages between development and spread of extremism. Left wing
extremism in Odisha.
Security and Disaster Management
⚫ Challenges to internal security though communication networks, role of media
and social networking sites in internal security challenges, basics of cyber security; money-laundering and its prevention - Arts & policies relating to
Cyber Security and Money laundering.
• Security challenges and their management in border areas linkages of
organized crime with terrorism.
⚫ Various Security forces and agencies of the Country and Odisha and their mandate.
PAPER-V
General Studies-IV:
Ethics, Integrity and Aptitude
This paper will include questions to test the candidates' attitude and approach to issues relating to integrity, probity in public life and his problem-solving approach to various issues and conflicts faced by him in dealing with society. Questions may utilize the case study approach to determine these aspects. The following broad areas will be covered:
Ethics and Human Interface: Essence, Determinants and Consequences of Ethics in Human Actions; Dimension of Ethics; Ethics in Private and Public
Relationships. Human Values - Lessons from the Lives and Teachings of Great
Leaders, Reformers and Administrators; Role of Family, Society and
Educational Institutions in Inculcating Values. Attitude: Content, Structure, Function; its Influence and Relation with Thought and Behaviour; Moral and Political Attitudes; Social Influence and Persuasion.
Aptitude and Foundational Values for Civil Service, Integrity, Impartiality and Non-partisanship, Objectivity, Dedication to Public Service, Empathy, Tolerance and Compassion towards the weaker-sections.
Emotional Intelligence-Concepts, and their Utilities and Application in Administration and Governance
• Contributions of Moral Thinkers and Philosophers from India and World. Public/Civil Service Values and Ethics in Public Administration: Status and Problems; Ethical Concerns and Dilemmas in Government and Private Institutions; Laws, Rules, Regulations and Conscience as Sources of Ethical Guidance; Accountability and Ethical Governance; Strengthening of Ethical and Moral Values in Governance; Ethical Issues in International Relations and Funding; Corporate Governance.
Probity in Governance: Concept of Public Service; Philosophical Basis of Governance and Probity: Information Sharing and Transparency in Government, Right to Information, Codes of Ethics, Codes of Conduct, Citizen's Charters, Work Culture, Quality of Service Delivery, Utilization of Public Funds, Challenges of Corruption.
• Case Studies on above issues.
Optional Papers
This time there is single Optional subject. The syllabus of the Optional subject has not been changed. The question pattern has not been changed also. But I hope, this year they will change the level of the questions. More and more indirect questions will be asked. You can read the IAS Toppers copy and make some useful notes according to your syllabus. Be ready for the indirect questions. Take some test series for practice, it will help you a lot.
You can take my help if you have Sociology & Home Science Optional
Language Papers
Language papers are qualifying in nature. This time you need to score at least 25% to pass the paper individually. But nowadays, the presis, passage and translations becoming little difficult. I will suggest you to prepare these papers according to your Comfort level.
1 Comments
It's a guiding light for OPSC aspirants... thank you so much sir.
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