Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) Strategy

  Why the need for Strategy?

• To ensure success in the examination conducted by the Jharkhand Public Service Commission, there is a need to make a proper and dynamic strategy according to its nature.
• This is the first process by which half of your success is ensured in the very beginning itself.
• It is to be noted that this exam is generally conducted in three stages (Preliminary, mains and Interview), in which it is necessary to pass the previous stage to reach the next stage.
• The nature of examination of these three stages is different from each other. Therefore, to ensure success at each stage, a different strategy is required.

Preliminary Exam Strategy

• Like other State Public Service Commissions, the nature of questions in the preliminary examination of Jharkhand Public Service Commission is also objective type.
• Important changes have been made by the commission from time to time in the nature and syllabus of this first phase of examination.
  
  • In the year 2016, the paper of ‘General Knowledge of Jharkhand’ was adopted in place of the second paper (Aptitude Test ‘CSAT’).
• At present, in this preliminary examination of the commission, two compulsory papers (‘General Studies’ and ‘General Knowledge of Jharkhand’ respectively) are asked. A total of 400 marks have been fixed for this.
  
  • The first paper is of ‘General Studies’, in which the total number of questions is 100 and the maximum marks are 200.
  • The second paper is of ‘General Knowledge of Jharkhand’, in which the total number of questions is 100 and the maximum marks are 200.
  • The maximum time limit for each question paper is 2 hours.
  • The cut-off is determined on the basis of the sum of the marks obtained in both these papers.
• To ensure your success in this preliminary examination, first study its syllabus thoroughly and keeping in mind all its parts and aspects, determine the order of preference according to convenience and interest.
• Take a close look at the questions asked in the Preliminary Examination in the last 5 to 10 years and pay more attention to the points and headings that have been the trend of asking questions in the previous years.
• The syllabus of the first paper ‘General Studies’ is mainly divided into 8 parts.
  
  • In this, along with traditional general studies and current events, some questions are also asked from Jharkhand specific.
  • This paper consists of 10 or 15 questions from each of these 8 parts (History of India, Geography of India, Indian Polity and Administration, Economy and Sustainable Development, Science and Technology, Jharkhand Special, National-International Events and Miscellaneous Questions).
  • Each question is of 2 marks. Its information is given in the title ‘Course’.
• A closer look at the syllabus of this exam and the nature of questions asked in previous years shows that deep conceptual and factual knowledge of some sections is essential.
  
  • For example, which ruler is also known as Andhra Bhoja?
  • In what form are the estimates of expenditure placed before the Parliament of India?
  • What is the village head called in Santhals? And so on .
• The easiest way to memorize and solve these questions is to make short notes related to the factual information of the subject and study it regularly like;
  
  • A question was asked ‘What is the name of the festival of flowers of tribals in Jharkhand’ ?’
  • To answer such questions, candidates should prepare a list related to the major tribal community and their culture in Jharkhand.
• NCERT based questions are asked in this exam. Reading NCERT books is beneficial.
  
  • Also, it will be beneficial for the candidates to study the ‘Traditional General Studies Special Issues’ of ‘Drishti Current Affairs Today’ published by Drishti Publications along with related text material available on Drishti website and internet.
  • Around 10-15 questions are asked from all the parts of this paper. So it will be beneficial to make point wise notes for all the parts.
  • In this paper, about 15 questions are asked from ‘current events’ (with reference to national and Jharkhand). For this, you can regularly study the current affairs points available on any daily newspaper like The Hindu, Dainik Jagran (National Edition) etc, as well as on the Drishti website.
    
    • Apart from this, it will be beneficial to study the standard monthly magazine ‘Drishti Current Affairs Today’ for the preparation of this section.
• There is no need to prepare separately to solve the questions related to Jharkhand state in this paper, because the questions of this part of this paper are solved only by the preparation of the second paper.
• The syllabus of the second paper ‘General Knowledge of Jharkhand’ is mainly divided into 16 parts.
  
  • In this, questions are asked mainly under the headings of Jharkhand’s history, movement, unique identity, literature, dance, culture, place, institution, sports, law, rules, management etc.
  • This question paper consists of 3-12 questions from each of these 16 parts.
  • Each question is of 2 marks. Its detailed information is given in the title ‘Syllabus’.
  • It will be useful to note down the information of events, plans, appointments and programs related to the state in a daily newspaper along with the book of Jharkhand Publication Department and another standard state level book for Jharkhand State’s ‘General Knowledge’ and Jharkhand State.
  • Along with this, you can also study the important points related to ‘State News’ on the Drishti website.
• Does not leave any question unanswered as there is no provision of negative marking in the preliminary examination and at the end try to solve the remaining questions on the basis of guesswork.
• Generally 15-20 days before the date of preliminary examination, it is beneficial to try to solve the practice papers and questions asked in the preliminary examination in previous years within the prescribed time limit (generally two hours).
  
  • By solving these questions, while the understanding of the subject is developed, it becomes easier to solve the repetitive questions in these exams.
• Normally 65-70% marks are required to pass this exam, but sometimes this percentage can be less depending on the difficulty level of the questions.
  
  • In this examination, minimum 40% for unreserved category candidates, minimum 34% for backward class-1 candidates, minimum 36.5% for backward class-2 candidates and minimum 32% for SC / ST and women candidates.
  • It will be mandatory to obtain qualifying marks. So keeping this in mind, follow the above exam strategy.

Mains Exam Strategy

• The preparation strategy of JPSC Mains is different from that of the Preliminary Examination due to the nature of the examination being conventionally objective and descriptive in nature.
• While the preliminary examination is qualifying in nature, the marks obtained in the mains examination are added to the final merit list.
  
  • Hence, this stage of the examination is very important and crucial to a great extent.
• In the year 2016, there was a radical change in the syllabus of this mains examination. Earlier, in this mains examination, along with general studies, two optional subjects were also asked, which have now been removed.
  
  • According to the new amendment, now six papers will be asked in this mains examination.
  • The answers to all these questions will have to be written in the answer-book given by the commission within the stipulated time limit of maximum three hours.
  • Its detailed information is given in the title ‘Syllabus’.
• After new amendments now this mains exam will be of total 1050 marks.
  
  • A total of 100 marks have been fixed for the first paper ‘General Hindi and General English’.
  • It is clear from the syllabus that this question paper will be divided into two sections (General Hindi and General English respectively) of 50 marks each.
  • This question paper is qualifying.
  • It will be mandatory to get a minimum 30 marks in this question paper.
  • The question paper will be of descriptive type in nature.
  • For its preparation, you can study any level book of English and Hindi grammar.
• A total of 150 marks have been fixed for the second paper ‘Language and Literature’.
  
  • In this question paper, the candidate can choose any one of the 15 topics related to ‘Language and Literature’ mentioned in the release issued by the commission.
  • For its preparation, you can study any level book of the concerned ‘Language and Literature’.
• The remaining four papers of the mains examination will mainly be related to traditional general studies.
  
  • 200-200 marks have been allotted for each question paper.
  • These will consist of 20 objective (multiple choice) type questions of 40 marks (each question will be of 2 marks) and remaining 160 marks (4 or 5 questions) will be descriptive type questions (each question will be of 40 or 32 marks).
• The third question paper will be related to ‘Social Science (History and Geography)’.
  
  • It is clear from the syllabus that this question paper will be divided into two sections (History and Geography respectively) of 100 marks each.
  • It will be mandatory to attempt 2 questions from each section (each question 40 marks) in addition to the compulsory 20 multiple choice questions (2 marks each).
  • In this question paper, under the ‘History Section’, questions related to the history of ancient, medieval and modern India as well as the history of Jharkhand will also be asked, while under the ‘Geography Section’, physical geography, human geography, along with natural resources of India.
  • Along with this, questions related to the geography and exploitation of resources of Jharkhand will also be asked.
  • For its preparation, along with studying standard books, it will be beneficial for the candidates to make short point wise notes according to the nature of questions in the mains examination.
• The fourth question paper will be related to ‘Indian Constitution and Polity, Public Administration and Good Governance’.
  
  • It is clear from the syllabus that this question paper will be divided into two sections (‘Indian Constitution and Polity’ and ‘Public Administration and Good Governance’ respectively) of 100 marks each.
  • In this also, it will be mandatory to attempt 2 questions from each section (each question 40 marks) in addition to the compulsory 20 multiple choice questions (2 marks each).
  • In this question paper, under ‘Indian Constitution and Polity’, where questions related to the basic concept of the Indian Constitution, major rights, the governance system of the Union and the State and the relationship between them and local government will be asked, while under ‘Public Administration and Good Governance’ questions will be asked.
  • And questions related to private administration, union, state and district administration, bureaucracy, disaster management and good governance etc. will be asked.
• The fifth question paper will be related to ‘Indian Economy, Globalization and Sustainable Development’.
  
  • It is clear from the syllabus that in addition to the compulsory 20 multiple choice questions (2 marks each), questions from 4 specific parts will be asked in this paper.
  • In which it will be mandatory to attempt one question (each question 40 marks) from each part.
  • Under this question paper, mainly the basic features of Indian economy, sustainable development, economic issues and development strategy, ‘Nature, impact and economic reforms of Indian economy’ and economy of Jharkhand are included.
• Paper VI will be related to ‘General Science, Environment and Technological Development’.
  
  • It is clear from the syllabus that in addition to the first compulsory 20 multiple choice questions (2 marks each), questions will be asked from 5 special parts in this paper, in which it will be mandatory to carry one question from each part (32 marks each).
  • Under this question paper, mainly questions related to physical science, life science, agricultural science, environmental science and science and technology development etc. will be asked.
• After observing the nature and syllabus of this mains examination, it becomes clear that it will be beneficial to study all its syllabus in the context of Jharkhand state.
  
  • These questions can be related to the history, geography, administrative system, art and culture, economic development, mineral and energy resources and other aspects of Jharkhand.
  • It is recommended to make point wise notes on each topic of the syllabus on the basis of at least two standard books for the study of Jharkhand state.
• The strategy adopted during the Preliminary Examination will be used to solve 20 objective type (Multiple Choice) questions of 40 marks to be asked in this mains Examination.
• It is known that the answers to the questions of descriptive nature have to be written in the answer-book, so while writing the answers to such questions, special attention should be paid to the writing style and accuracy as well as time management.
  
  • Credit will be given to the organized, subtle and powerful expression in the least number of words in all the subjects of the examination.
  • Two things are important to write an accurate and concise answer to any question- first, comprehensive understanding of the topic and secondly, continuous practice of answer writing.
• Generally 60-65% marks are required to be scored in this stage of the examination. However, due to change in curriculum, this percentage may be slightly higher or lower.

Interview Strategy

• The candidates selected in the mains examination (generally 3 times the total number of vacancies mentioned in the notification) have to appear for an interview before the commission after one month ordinarily.
• Interview is the last and important stage of any examination.
• Less in terms of marks but it has a special contribution in the final selection and post determination.
• The personality of the candidates is tested during the interview. In this, oral questions are asked by the members of the commission at the prescribed place in the commission, for which the candidate has to answer orally.
• A total of 100 marks have been fixed for the interview in this examination.
• Your final selection is done on the basis of merit list prepared on the basis of aggregate of marks obtained in mains examination and interview.