OPSC OAS Mains exam Preparation strategy
Qualifying Papers: Odia language and English language
This paper tests basic proficiency in Odia and English languages through questions on Grammar,
comprehension, short essays and translation.
- Practice writing short essays in both languages.
- Practice reading long passages within a short time to improve comprehension.
- Study English Grammar topics like like tenses, subject-verb agreement, prepositions,
articles, sentence structure, etc. from English Grammar books.
- Solve Previous year papers.
- Sources: Wren & Martin’s High School English Grammar and Composition,
Word Power Made Easy by Norman Lewis, R.S. Aggarwal’s Objective General English.
- Sources for Odia language paper: School-level textbooks (9th–12th)
Merit Papers
Paper II: Essay
- To prepare for Essay paper, first build a strong knowledge base using static sources, Newspapers,
government reports etc.
- Practice writing essays on diverse topics related to Political, economical, environmental and social
issues and general philosophical ideas.
- Practice essays asked in Past years papers.
Key elements required to write a good quality essay
- Clarity of topic
- Fresh perspective rather than just common ideas
- Simple language
- Smooth flow of ideas
- Balanced views ( Both positive and negative aspects of a topic should be touched but the overall
approach to the topic should be optimistic)
- Use of Quotes and Anecdotes
Paper II: General Studies I
This paper covers Indian Hertage and Culture, Odisha Heritage and Culture, History and Geography of the
World and Society
- History and Culture
- In Ancient India, cover early civilizations like the Indus Valley, Vedic culture, and the
evolution
of Indian society and religions.
- In Medieval History, study the rise of regional kingdoms, Delhi Sultanate,
Mughals, and the cultural synthesis during the Bhakti and Sufi movements.
- In Modern History study policies of colonial government, social reform
movements,
Indian freedom struggle, key movements and important personalities.
- Study the history of Odisha, including pre-independence and post-independence eras, cultural
heritage, and contributions to the freedom movement.
- Resources:
- NCERT textbooks for history, India’s Struggle for Independence by
Bipan
Chandra, Spectrum’s Indian History book, Indian Art and Culture by Nitin Sanghania
- For Odisha-specific topics: Odisha State Board History Books (Class 6–10),
Odisha
History by Dr. K.C. Panigrahi, Cultural Heritage of Odisha – Odisha Tourism
Department (official PDF), Encyclopedia of Odia Culture by Odisha Sahitya
Akademi,
YouTube channels (e.g., Odisha Bytes, DD Odia) for visuals and updates
- Geography of the World
- Cover Physical Geography topics such as landforms, climate, water bodies, and ecosystems.
- Understand the distribution of resources, agriculture, industries, and human settlements in
India
and Odisha.
- Study the physical features, climate patterns, flora and fauna, and socio-economic conditions of
Odisha.
- Resources: NCERTs XI-XII Geography textbooks, Certificate Physical and Human
Geography by G.C. Leong, Maps, Odisha Geography – Dr. Sahu or Dr. R.K. Das
- Society
- Cover social institutions, caste system, urbanization, and rural development.
- Focus on social issues related to vulnerable sections (women, children, elderly, and
marginalized
communities).
- Study the tribal systems, demographic trends, and social practices in Odisha. Cover Tribal
communities (Kandha, Santal, Juang, Bonda), Scheduled Areas, PESA Act, tribal issues, tribal
languages, festivals, crafts
- Stay updated with current social challenges in the state and the measures being taken to address
them.
- Resources: NCERTs Sociology books, Yojana and Kurukshetra for
social issues and development topics, Newspapers and Government websites, Odisha Tribal Atlas.
Paper III: General Studies - II
This Paper covers Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice and International
relations.
- To prepare for Indian Polity, cover Indian Constitution, focusing on important
topics such as Preamble, Fundamental Rights, Duties, Directive Principles of State Policy
(DPSP), Emergency, three pillars of political system - Executive, Legislature and Judiciary,
Elections and key amendments.
- Study the specific articles impacting Odisha’s governance and federal
relations.
- Cover important Constitutional and Non-constitutional bodies.
- Focus on the local governance- Panchayati Raj and Urban Local Bodies and keep a track on recent
government initiatives related to Governance.
- Study major welfare schemes related to health, education, and employment.
- Focus on the challenges faced by vulnerable sections and Indian and state government initiatives
to
address them.
- Study India’s relations with neighboring countries, especially those in Southeast Asia and
strategic partnerships globally.
- Cover International organisations like the United Nations, World Bank, IMF, ASEAN, and their
relevance to India.
- Relate current geopolitical events to India’s foreign policy strategies.
- Resources: Indian Polity by M. Laxmikanth, Introduction to the
Constitution of India by D.D. Basu, Reports from the Ministry of Social Justice and
Ministry of External Affairs, Yojana and Kurukshetra for insights on social
justice and governance, Newspapers, PIB and Currant affairs monthly magazines.
Paper V: General Studies Paper III
This paper covers Technology, Economic Development, Bio diversity, Environment, Security and
Disaster Management.
- Economy
- In Indian Economy, cover fundamental economic concepts such as GDP, inflation, monetary policy,
fiscal policy, economic growth and the structure of the Indian economy, the contribution of
primary,
secondary, and tertiary sectors, and economic indicators.
- Study the economic reforms of 1991 and subsequent liberalization, privatization, and
globalization
(LPG) impacts.
- Analyze state-specific issues like agriculture, industries, and trade.
- Study state government initiatives, major economic challenges, and development plans.
- Resources: NCERTs textbooks of Std. XI-XII Economy, Indian Economy by Ramesh
Singh,
Latest Budget and Economic Survey of India and Odisha.
- Technology
- Focus on recent advancements in AI, biotechnology, nanotechnology, and space and defence
technology.
- Study the the application of technology in sectors like agriculture, health, and education.
- Cover the importance of cyber security, challenges, and government measures.
- Resources: Newspapers, Current affairs magazines, PIB and website of Ministry
of
Science and Technology.
- Environment and Disaster Management
- In Environment, cover important concepts related to Ecology, Biodiversity and its
conservation,
climate change and its mitigation measures.
- Study Policies and acts related to environmental protection in India.
- Make notes on natural (floods, earthquakes, cyclones) and man-made disasters (industrial
accidents, chemical spills). Place special emphasis on the disaster cases in Odisha.
- Resources: Environment and Ecology by R. Rajagopalan or Shankar IAS
notes,
“Environmental Issues of North-East India” by P.K. Das, Newspapers and PIB for
recent updates, NDMA website, International reports related to environmental
issues.
Paper VI: General Studies Paper IV
This paper covers Ethics, Integrity, and Aptitude.
- Begin by understanding all the topics mentioned in the syllabus related to Ethics, Attitude,
Emotional intelligence, Ethics in Public Adminstration and Probity in governance. Make notes on
definition and examples of every topic to tackle questions like
- Explain the major determinants of ethical actions with suitable
examples.
- Normative ethics is universal and prescriptive ethics is conterfual. In this context,
explain how tbe former acts as principles of the latter, with suitable
instantiation.
- Focus on the practical application of ethics in real life and public administration. Pay
attention
to how ethical principles guide decision-making in difficult situations.
- Case studies are a critical part of this paper, requiring practical solutions to ethical
dilemmas.
Practice solving case studies involving real-life ethical issues in public administration. For
example,
'There was a young civil servant named Wangchu. He was virtuous and just. He has the right
attitude and aptitude, but the only thing is that he never bends to illegal and immoral people
and
their actions. He faced them as he used to take action against them, directly or indirectly.
F`or
this, he suffered from the atrocities of them and their appointed hooligans, corrupt politicians
and
officers and misinformed people. He was harassed and emotionally tortured, physically assaulted,
offended, degraded, many times and transferred with intermediary suspensions all over his life.
All
these happened because he could not go with cormption and comipt people and he adopted Gandhian
simplicity, silent suffering and prayers. After retirement, he got some time to read about the
Krishna of the Mdhabharato. He came over the passages describing mshna's valor, tactics,
diplomacy,
love, dutifulness, etc., in all peace or conflict situations. In the light of Krishna's actions,
he
analyzed his moral uprightness and actions and all his misfortunes. At last, he found only tv`ro
things that he could not adopt, as Krishna did in similar situations. Then he thought to give a
trial in adopting the same. For this, he contested the elections, adopting these two things that
he
missed out on and got success not only in the elections, but all through his life, secured
prominent
positions and removed the corruption as far as he could. His lifelong suffering and morals also
paid
off, maldng his image brighter for the public. Based on the Story, recognize the strategy and
the
two things that Krishna adopted, but Wangchu missed out on all the previous situations as he was
an
administrator. Imagine the situations of eacb of his atrocities and suggest what course of
action
Wangchu could better adopt in those situations.
- Sources: Lexicon for Ethics, Integrity & Aptitude,
Newspapers
to link syllabus topics with current affairs examples.
Paper VII and VIII: Optional subject papers
- There will be two descriptive-type papers of an optional subject chosen by the candidate.
- Choose an optional subject you are comfortable with and have either studied during graduation or
are
interested in.
- Strategy for the optional paper includes -
- Understand the syllabus thoroughly.
- Use subject-specific books to cover all topics of the syllabus comprehensively.
- Use mock tests for practice.
