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INTRODUCTION NOTE : In the examinations more than
In many competitive examinations two courses of actions may also be given.
questions related to courses of action
are frequently asked. Types of Problems
The basic reason behind asking such (1) Problems based on problem and
questions is to test your ability to judge solution relationship.
a problem correctly in order to determine (2) Problems based on fact &
the root of the given problem and then improvement relationship.
finding out a proper course of action for
that particular problem. 1. Problems based on problem
and solution relationship
What is the format of the problem?
This is a case when the given
Directions: In the question given below
statement talks of a problem and the
is given a statement followed by two
suggested courses of action number I suggested course of action talks of
and II. A course of action is a step or a solution. It is very easy to find out
administrative decision to be taken for when a suggested course of action
improvement, follow up, or further action is acceptable and when it is not. In
in regard to the problem, policy etc. On fact, the suggested course of action
the basis of the information given in the will be acceptable if:
statement. Read the situation carefully (a) it solves/ reduces or minimises the
and then decide which of the given given problem
courses of action follow/ follows. (b) it gives a practical and wise solution.
Mark answers:
Now, what to do ? Just see the given
(a) If only I follows
(b) If only II follows problem with a serious eye; think over
(c) If either I or II follows that; apply your day to day experiences;
(d) If neither I nor II follows apply your common sense and use your
(e) If both I & II follow. general knowledge to judge whether a
Statement: The sale of a particular suggested course of action solves or
product ‘A’ has gone down considerably, reduces or minimises the problem given
causing great concern to company ‘X’. in the statement. After this step, the next
Courses of action : step is checking the practicality. Here,
I. Company ‘X’ should mark a proper
you have to check if the solution
study of the rival products in the
market. suggested by the given course of action
II. The price of product ‘A’ should be is wise enough and applicable in
reduced. practical way in day to day life.
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Courses of Action 135

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Infact (a) is the 1st step test and after Courses of action:

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passing the step I test, the given course I. The child should be sent to child

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of action will have to pass step II (which welfare society. (correct action)

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is (b)). If the given course of action II. The child should be put in jail and

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passes both the tests [step I and step II] severly beaten (wrong action)

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only then it will be called a correct action.

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Comment: In example I, I is rejected as it

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Step I test is an irrelevant action. It does not make

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To pass the step I test a suggested it clear how instructing population for
course of action must be not coming out of their houses will solve
(i) based on an established fact or or reduce the problem of spreading
(ii) based on logical prediction or malaria. But II is a proper course of action
(iii) based on experiences as it is an established biological fact that
(iv) based on prevailing notions of truth malaria can be prevented by using
Let us discuss all the conditions safeguards against mosquitoes. This is
mentioned above:- the reason that II will go for further test
(step II test) proving itself a proper course
(i) Action based on established
of action in 1st level test (step I test).
fact: -
In example 2, II is rejected on the basis
In some of the cases an action taken that it is totally illogical to beat a child
is an established fact which and put into jail as a child is not mature
suggests that the given problem can enough to decide what is right and what
be reduced or solved by this is wrong. Further, it is an established fact
particular solution. It does mean that (socially established fact) that child
the solution suggested by the given criminals must not be treated as
course of action is universally punishable wrong doer but they should
acknowledged to the given problem. be made to mend their ways and on the
Let us see the examples given below: basis of this I is the correct course of
EXAMPLE 1. action. Hence, I will qualify for the 2nd
Statement: Southern part of India has round test ( Step II test)
been coming rapidly into the grip of (ii) Action based on logical
malaria. prediction :
Courses of action: In such type of cases, solutions
I. The Southern Indian population provided for the given problems are
must be instructed not to come out neither an established fact nor they
of their houses. [wrong action] can be considered as proper action
II. Anti-mosquito liquids should be on the basis of our past experiences.
sprayed in the southern part of Hence, in such cases examinees are
India. [correct action] required to apply certain logic and
EXAMPLE 2. reasoning to find out if the given
Statement: A child was caught while course of action solves or reduces
stealing money of a respectable person or minimises the problem. Let us see
of society. the example given below:
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EXAMPLE 3. Course of action: Efforts should be made

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Statement: Jammu & Kashmir is that the Indians remain united for any

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eventuality. [correct action]

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experiencing, again, the rise of terrorism
Comment: Our past experiences say that

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and it is obvious that Pakistan is

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we (India) became a sufferer several times
encouraging it.

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because of the foreign powers and at

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Course of action: India must go to the
that time we lacked our unity. In another

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international bodies with all the proof of

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words, India has fallen victim to foreign
Pakistani involvement in Jammu &
powers only when our country (India)
Kashmir and demand that Pakistan must
has not remained united. Hence, on the
be declared a terrorist nation. [ correct
basis of our past experience, we can
action]
conclude that the given course of action
Comment : Here, the given course of
solves or reduces the problem making
action is the correct one at step I test. In
its entry for 2nd level (step II) test.
fact, it is a matter of simple logic of
diplomacy that in case of disturbances (iv) Action based on prevailing notions
created by a hostile nation within our of truth: In such type of cases
country, we put this issue before solutions provided for the given
international bodies so that the hostile problem is as per the social norms.
nation stands at disadvantage. Thus Ex. In other words, the given course of
3 will qualify for the next step test (step action suggests a solution that is
II or practicality test). prevailing notion of truth. In fact,
(iii) Action based on experiences: In they are the ideas that are universally
certain cases, while deciding if a accepted and acknowledged by the
given course of action solves or society and hence in many ways they
reduces or minimises the given are similar to established fact. Let us
problem, our experiences work. In see the following examples:
fact, in such cases the given problem EXAMPLE 5.
may be a relatively new one. It will Statement: Mr Sharma got angry and beat
not be totally new but it will not be his son mercilesely.
very old either. This is the reason Course of action : Mr.Sharma should be
that the solution can not be said as caned publicly [ wrong action]
an established fact. However, based
EXAMPLE 6.
on our past experiences, in the similar
kind of situation, we can reach the Statement : Most of manufacturing
conclusion that the given problem companies in India are running in losses.
can be solved/ reduced/ minimised Course of action: Prospects of
by this particular action. Let us see privatisation of these companies must
the example given below: be explored. [correct action]
Comment: In example 5, the given
EXAMPLE 4. solution is against the societal worm as
Statement: Several foreign powers public beating is not considered a good
having expansionist thinking are threat punishment. In other words, it is
to India. prevailing notion of truth that public
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beating is not good. Hence, on the basis EXAMPLES FOR (A)

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of this the given solution is rejected and

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will not go for 2nd level test (step II test). EXAMPLE 7.

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In example 6, the given course of action Statement : Lack of discipline is a good

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suggests privatisation for loss making reason for low productivity in India.

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manufacturing companies and no Course of action : Government must take

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doubts, it is a prevailing notion of truth step to make military traing compulsory

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that privatisation can reduce or minimise for all Indian citizens. [ wrong action]
their losses. There is also a chance that EXAMPLE 8.
privatisation can convert a loss making
Statement: As per the report of ‘WHO’
company into a profitable one. Hence,
(World Health Organisation) the life
we conclude the given solution is
expactancy of an average Indian is
correct one and will qualify for further
continuously declining.
test (2nd level test or step II test). Now,
Course of action : A serious effort must
we can move on to step II test.
be made to prevent children from making
Step II (Test of Practicality) noises. [wrong action]
This is the 2nd part of test. In the 1st Comment: In Example 7, the given course
part we just found out whether a of action is not a good solution for the
suggested action really solves/ reduces/ given problem. No, doubt that military
training wold be a solution for lack of
minimises the given problem. But an
discipline but is it a practical solution?
important part also remains to be checked
Your answer will be a big ‘No’ (why?). In
and that is the test of practicality. Point
reality, at the 1st step test the given
to be noted that a given course of action
course of action may seem true as it
may solve/ reduce/ minimise a particular
solves the given problem but when it
problem but if it is not practically
comes to the 2nd level test, it becomes
possible, it will be consider useless. This
clear that it is too severe solution for a
is the reason why this point too, needs
relatively small problem. Hence, on this
sound checking. For this you have to
basis the given course of action is
keep the following things in your mind:
rejected finally.
A. The problem and solution must be In example 8, the given course of
well matched and must be in action suggests that problem of
proportion. In other words, if declining life expectancy can be solved
solutions are too simple for too if children are prevented from making
severe problems, they will be noises. At one stage the given course of
useless. Conversly, we can say that action reduces the problem to some
too severe solutions are not good extent as it suggests that less noise will
solutions for too simple problems. increase the chances of low blood
B. Even after passing the step I test, pressure and this will result in less
the given solution is creating a new deaths. But when we think analytically,
problem, then the given solution we come to the conclusion that the
will not be a good solution and will problem is very serious and the given
fail in practicality test. solution is very simple for it. Hence on
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138 Courses of Action

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this basis the given course of action In the past we have also seen that such

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would be declared a wrong one and steps have been taken. Not in the past

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would be rejected finally. only even today whenever it seems that

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mosquito born diseases are imminent,

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EXAMPLE FOR (B)

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the anti-mosquito liquids are sprayed.

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Such step is taken only because it is

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EXAMPLE 9.

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Statement: In recent years, people have practical. Here, the IInd course of action

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developed a tendency of tax evasion and given under example 1 passes both the
this is the reason it has increased at an test to be finally declared as proper and
alarming level. correct solution.
Course of action : Government must Step II test of Example 2 [Course of
make law to abolish taxes. [ wrong action] action I]:
Comment: Here, the given problem is Ist course of action given under example
about tax evasion. Tax evasion does 2 is “child should be sent to child welfare
mean showing less income to pay less society”. In step II, we need to check if it
tax. Why tax evasion is a problem? is a practical solution. In so many cases
Because tax evasion generates black we have seen that when a child does a
money. The given course of action crime like stealing and some other more
serious crime, then they are put under
suggests the abolition of taxes which
such atmosphere that they can
connot be a good solution as taxes are
understand the seriousness of their
taken to provide people certain indirect
crime and try to mend their ways. For
services like the facilities of roads, parks,
such children, child welfare societies and
police etc. Suppose if taxes are not
some other such kind of organisations
charged, how and where from money will are very helpful. Hence, this course of
come to provide such indirect services action passes its final test to be declared
to community. No doubts, the tax a correct course of action.
abolition will create a new problem. Step II test of Example 3 :
Hence on this basis the given course of The course of action given under
action will be rejected finally as it fails example 3 is “India must go to the
the 2nd level test (step II test) of international bodies with all the proof of
practicality. Pakistani involvement in Jammu &
Now after understanding what is a Kashmir and demand that Pakistan must
practical solution, we can test the be declared a terrorist nation” and this is
courses of action that have passed the a very practical solution. As we have
step I test and given under examples 1, seen in certain circumstances in past that
2, 3, 4 and 6. India has put such type of demand from
Step II test of Example 1 ( Course of UNO and even from some other nations
action II): on individual basis. No doubts, that on
IInd course of action given under example such demands India has got support to
1 is “Anti mosquito liquids should be some extent. Hence it is a very practical
sprayed in the southern part of India". solution and this given course of action
In step II, we need to check if it is a passes it practicality test to be declared
practical solution for the given problem. a proper and correct course of action.
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Courses of Action 139

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Step II test of Example 4 : (i) Find out whether the suggested

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The given course of action “efforts course of action will help in

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should be made that the Indians remain improvement of the situation.

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united for any eventualities” is a practical (ii) Find out whether the two are

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one as we have shown this type of unity properly balanced.

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in the past. For example, in the freedom In fact problem given under example

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struggle we were united. How this unity 7 is such type of problem.

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took place? Only because this was Now we have come to the end of
practically possible. Hence, this given this chapter and this is the time to
course of action, too, passed the solve the problem given under 'what
practically test to be declared finally a is the format of the problem'? Let us
proper and correct course of action. solve it:
Step II test of Example 6: Statement : The sale of a particular
The given course of action “Prospects product ‘A’ has gone down considerably,
of privatisation of these (loss making) causing great concern to company ‘X’.
companies must be explored is not a
Courses of action :
correct solution at the end at the 2nd
level test (Practicality test) because the I. Company should make a proper
course of action and the given statement study of rival products in the
are not properly linked. The statement market.
does not make it clear that it talks only II. The price of product ‘A’ should be
about public sector manufacturing reduced.
concerns as even a private sector Solution. Option (a) is the correct option
manufacturing company may be a loss as only I follows.
making company. Hence the statement Reason /Explanation: If the sale of ‘A’
and given course of action creates has gone down, then there must be some
confusion. Therefore, the given course solved reasons. The company X must
of action is rejected at 2nd level test. know this reason. As I suggest the similar
solution, it follows. But II does not follow.
2. Problem based on fact and The company should first know if price
improvement relationship
was a factor behind the drop in sale.
This is the 2nd type of problem Without knowing this, reducing price
related to course of action. But point may turn out to be a wrong and harmful
to be noted is that this does not action.
require any new skill. The solving
method is exactly the same as you Note : If you see 'an either choice' in the
have solved the 1st type of problem answer options avoid it. It will be a wrong
that is problem solution based. In answer. Either choice can be in the form
fact you have to solve this type of like “Either of I or II (or III or I etc.)
problem in two steps: follows”.
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140 Courses of Action

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q Shortcut Approach

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Study the Statement

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Problem Fact

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Solution Type Improvement Type

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Solves/minimises/reduces Does it help in improving
the problem the situation ?

Yes No Rejected Yes No Rejected

Yes No Rejected Yes No Rejected

Yes No Rejected

Accepted

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Practice Exercises with Hints & Solutions – P-193-198

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