Comprehensive Answer: Weightage of General Studies and English Papers in IES and ISS Exams
The Indian Economic Service (IES) and Indian Statistical Service (ISS) exams are conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC). Both these exams are specialized and primarily focus on economics (for IES) and statistics (for ISS), but they also contain components of general studies and English, which contribute to the overall score. The weightage of General Studies and English papers varies between IES and ISS exams, and understanding this weightage is important for planning an effective preparation strategy.
Below is a comprehensive and updated response to clarify the weightage of General Studies and English papers in both exams:
1. Indian Economic Service (IES) Exam:
The IES exam primarily tests candidates on their knowledge of economics and the ability to apply that knowledge to real-world economic situations. However, General Studies and English papers are an integral part of the examination process. Let's break down the weightage of each paper:
A. Exam Structure and Papers for IES:
The IES exam consists of two stages:
- Stage 1: Written Examination (consisting of 6 papers)
- Stage 2: Interview/Personality Test (250 marks)
B. Detailed Paper Structure for IES Exam:
- General English (Paper I): 100 marks
- General Studies (Paper II): 100 marks
- Economics Papers:
- Paper III: General Economics I – 200 marks
- Paper IV: General Economics II – 200 marks
- Paper V: Indian Economics – 200 marks
- Paper VI: Econometrics/Statistical Methods – 200 marks
C. Weightage of General Studies and English Papers:
- General English (Paper I): This paper holds a weightage of 100 marks in the overall written examination. The paper is designed to test candidates’ proficiency in the English language, including their comprehension skills, grammar, writing ability, and the capacity to express themselves clearly in English.
- General Studies (Paper II): This paper also holds a weightage of 100 marks. It assesses general awareness, including knowledge of Indian polity, geography, environment, and current affairs. The questions in this section are designed to test a candidate’s general awareness and the ability to think critically about current events and issues.
D. Overall Impact on IES Exam:
- The total marks for the written examination in IES is 1200 marks (6 papers).
- Both General English and General Studies together contribute 200 marks out of the total, which accounts for approximately 16.67% of the total marks.
- General English: 8.33%
- General Studies: 8.33%
Therefore, while General English and General Studies contribute a relatively smaller proportion to the total marks, their importance lies in being the qualifying papers for the final ranking. Scoring well in these papers can be crucial for making it to the interview stage, and their marks are counted in the final tally.
2. Indian Statistical Service (ISS) Exam:
The ISS exam is more focused on statistical theory, methods, econometrics, and mathematics, but it also includes General Studies and English papers. Similar to the IES exam, General Studies and English papers serve to test candidates' general awareness and language proficiency.
A. Exam Structure and Papers for ISS:
The ISS exam consists of two stages:
- Stage 1: Written Examination (consisting of 6 papers)
- Stage 2: Interview/Personality Test (200 marks)
B. Detailed Paper Structure for ISS Exam:
- General English (Paper I): 100 marks
- General Studies (Paper II): 100 marks
- Statistics Papers:
- Paper III: Statistics I – 200 marks
- Paper IV: Statistics II – 200 marks
- Paper V: Statistics III – 200 marks
- Paper VI: Statistics IV – 200 marks
C. Weightage of General Studies and English Papers:
- General English (Paper I): This paper holds a weightage of 100 marks, and like the IES exam, it tests English comprehension, grammar, vocabulary, and writing skills. It aims to assess your ability to express yourself in English clearly and effectively.
- General Studies (Paper II): This paper also carries a weightage of 100 marks and tests your general knowledge, including subjects like Indian politics, geography, environment, and current affairs. The focus is on testing the candidate’s general awareness about national and international events.
D. Overall Impact on ISS Exam:
- The total marks for the written examination in the ISS exam is 1200 marks (6 papers).
- Similar to the IES exam, General English and General Studies contribute 200 marks out of the total, which accounts for 16.67% of the total marks.
- General English: 8.33%
- General Studies: 8.33%
As in the IES exam, the General Studies and General English papers in the ISS exam are also important but carry relatively less weight compared to the specialized statistics papers. These papers are primarily intended to assess the candidate’s language proficiency and general awareness, and their scores are factored into the overall ranking.
3. Role of General Studies and English Papers in Selection:
- Minimum Qualifying Marks: Both General Studies and General English papers are generally qualifying papers in both IES and ISS exams. You need to score at least 33% in each of these papers (General Studies and General English) to proceed to the next stage (i.e., the interview). However, they do not carry direct weight in the final merit list; the marks obtained in the specialized economics/statistics papers have a greater impact on your final ranking.
- General Studies and General English serve the purpose of evaluating a candidate’s overall intelligence and ability to deal with diverse issues in society. These papers help gauge language proficiency, current affairs awareness, and general knowledge, which are essential qualities for an IES/ISS officer.
Interview Stage:
- Personality Test (Interview): The interview in both exams carries 250 marks (IES) and 200 marks (ISS). In this stage, General Studies and English skills are indirectly assessed as part of the overall personality evaluation.
- During the interview, questions on current economic issues, statistical methods, and general awareness may be asked. Strong communication skills in English will also play an important role in demonstrating your clarity of thought.
4. Preparing for General Studies and English in IES/ISS Exams:
A. General Studies Preparation:
- Focus on current affairs, especially Indian polity, economic policies, geography, and international relations.
- Regularly read newspapers like The Hindu or Indian Express to stay updated on current events.
- Books for General Studies:
- Indian Polity: M. Laxmikanth
- Indian Economy: Ramesh Singh, or Datt and Sundaram
- Geography: G.C. Leong, or Majid Husain
- Current Affairs: Monthly magazines like Yojana, Economic and Political Weekly (EPW)
B. General English Preparation:
- Work on comprehension, grammar, and writing skills. Practice reading comprehension and solving grammar exercises.
- Books for General English:
- Wren & Martin: High school-level English grammar book
- Norman Lewis: Word Power Made Easy (for vocabulary building)
- Previous year papers: Regularly practice English papers from previous exams to understand the types of questions asked.
5. Conclusion:
- In both the IES and ISS exams, the General Studies and General English papers carry a weightage of 100 marks each, contributing 16.67% of the total written examination marks.
- While these papers are important, they are qualifying in nature and do not directly affect your final ranking in the exam. However, scoring well in these papers can improve your chances of qualifying for the interview stage, which has a significant impact on your final selection.
- It is advisable to treat General Studies and General English seriously, as scoring poorly in these papers can disqualify you from further stages of the exam.
By focusing on strengthening both general awareness and English proficiency, you ensure that you cover all aspects of the exam and maximize your chances of success.