Course Action
Key Concepts
| # | Concept | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Course of Action is a step that will reduce/minimise the problem or prevent it. | It must be practical, logical & directly linked to the given problem. |
| 2 | Valid course: reduces the stated problem only; irrelevant or after-effect options are wrong. | Ask: “Will this definitely help the given situation?” |
| 3 | Government/authority is assumed to have power to implement the action unless the contrary is stated. | Never reject an option only because it looks “bold”. |
| 4 | Ultimate aim is practical solution, not ideal-world solution. | Choose the best among the given, not the perfect. |
| 5 | Chain reaction (action → secondary benefit) is NOT a valid ground; benefit must be direct. | “It will improve GDP” is secondary → reject. |
| 6 | Personal/individual action is weak; systemic/organisational action is strong. | Prefer “bank should install CCTV” over “customer should be careful”. |
| 7 | Two-part statement: treat each part independently; both must be valid for the option to be correct. | “Warn + Punish” → check each verb. |
| 8 | Extreme words (only, always, completely) are suspicious but not always wrong; check context. | In security matters, “only” may be acceptable. |
15 Practice MCQs
1. Statement: Large number of pilgrims die every year while undertaking the steep 14-km trek to Shri Mata Vaishno Devi shrine.
Course of Action:
I. Helicopter service should be made compulsory for every pilgrim.
II. A proper medical aid centre should be set up every 2 km.
Answer: **B (Only II follows)**Solution: Compulsory helicopter (I) is **impractical & economically harsh**. Medical centres (II) **directly reduce** deaths → valid.
Shortcut: **“Compulsory/extreme”** → doubt; **“medical aid”** → always welcome.
Tag: **Practicality filter**
2. Statement: Every rainy season a city gets submerged due to choked drains.
Course of Action:
I. Desilting of drains should be completed before monsoon.
II. People should be fined for throwing garbage in drains.
Answer: **E (Both I and II follow)**Solution: Desilting (I) is **direct preventive** step; penalty (II) **deters** repeat offence → both **complementary**.
Shortcut: **“Before monsoon”** = **time-bound** → strong choice.
Tag: **Dual valid actions**
3. Statement: Bank receives complaints that ATM cabins are being used by anti-social elements at night.
Course of Action:
I. The cabin doors should be removed so that nobody can hide inside.
II. Security guard should be posted round-the-clock.
Answer: **B (Only II follows)**Solution: Removing doors (I) **creates bigger security & weather issue** → **absurd**. Guard (II) is **standard & effective**.
Shortcut: **“Absurd physical change”** → reject immediately.
Tag: **Absurdity test**
4. Statement: Over-speeding buses cause frequent accidents on a 4-lane highway.
Course of Action:
I. Speed-guns should be installed and fines collected automatically.
II. All buses should be installed with speed-limiting devices.
Answer: **E (Both follow)**Solution: Both **directly curb** over-speeding; **technology + enforcement** combo is **best**.
Shortcut: **“Technology + enforcement”** → usually **both correct**.
Tag: **Tech-enforcement combo**
5. Statement: Fake currency is being dispensed by ATMs in many states.
Course of Action:
I. All ATM cash should be stamped with government seal.
II. ATM cassette loading should be videographed.
Answer: **B (Only II follows)**Solution: Stamping (I) **not feasible** for already printed notes; videography (II) **deters malpractice** → valid.
Shortcut: **“Not feasible on existing currency”** → reject I.
Tag: **Feasibility check**
6. Statement: Many schoolchildren fall sick after mid-day meal.
Course of Action:
I. Food samples should be tested daily before serving.
II. Teachers should taste food before children eat.
Answer: **E (Both follow)**Solution: Lab test (I) **scientific check**; teacher-tasting (II) **immediate human alert** → **both practical**.
Shortcut: **“Double-check”** → **both correct**.
Tag: **Double safety**
7. Statement: Huge backlog of pending cases in lower courts.
Course of Action:
I. Evening courts should be introduced for pending cases.
II. All cases should be transferred to fast-track courts.
Answer: **A (Only I follows)**Solution: Evening courts (I) **adds working hours** → **practical**. Transferring **all** (II) is **logistically impossible** → reject.
Shortcut: **“All” = extreme** → doubt.
Tag: **Extreme-word filter**
8. Statement: Mosquito-borne diseases rise after rainfall.
Course of Action:
I. Government should spray insecticides immediately after rain.
II. Citizens should use mosquito nets.
Answer: **A (Only I follows)**Solution: Govt spraying (I) **systemic & large-scale**; nets (II) **individual defence** → **secondary, not course of action**.
Shortcut: **“Citizens should”** → **usually weak**.
Tag: **Weak individual action**
9. Statement: Railway tracks are stolen repeatedly, causing derailments.
Course of Action:
I. Track joints should be welded instead of nut-bolt.
II. Patrolling should be increased during night.
Answer: **E (Both follow)**Solution: Welding (I) **makes theft difficult**; patrolling (II) **deters thieves** → **complementary**.
Shortcut: **“Theft-difficulty + surveillance”** → **both correct**.
Tag: **Theft prevention combo**
10. Statement: Cyber-fraud through fake UPI handles is rising.
Course of Action:
I. Digital literacy campaigns should be launched.
II. All UPI transactions should be banned above ₹5,000.
Answer: **A (Only I follows)**Solution: Campaign (I) **directly reduces** victim pool; ban (II) **kills digital economy** → **impractical**.
Shortcut: **“Ban on routine activity”** → **reject**.
Tag: **Ban-test**
11. Statement: Students suicide due to stress of competitive exams.
Course of Action:
I. Counselling cells should be set up in every coaching centre.
II. Exams should be abolished.
Answer: **A (Only I follows)**Solution: Counselling (I) **directly mitigates stress**; abolishing exams (II) is **utopian & harmful** → reject.
Shortcut: **“Abolish” = utopian** → **never correct**.
Tag: **Utopia filter**
12. Statement: Pilferage of grains in ration shops.
Course of Action:
I. GPS-enabled trucks for transport.
II. Biometric authentication for beneficiaries.
Answer: **E (Both follow)**Solution: GPS (I) **plugs transport leak**; biometric (II) **plugs end-user ghost cards** → **both independent & valid**.
Shortcut: **“Technology at two points”** → **both correct**.
Tag: **Two-point tech**
13. Statement: Long queues at ticket counters cause passengers to miss trains.
Course of Action:
I. More counters should be opened during peak hours.
II. Ticket checking staff should be lenient.
Answer: **A (Only I follows)**Solution: More counters (I) **directly cuts queue**; leniency (II) **encourages ticketless travel** → **not solution**.
Shortcut: **“Lenient” = creates bigger problem** → reject.
Tag: **Leniency trap**
14. Statement: Power theft causes huge loss to electricity board.
Course of Action:
I. Smart meters should be installed that send real-time data.
II. Reward should be given to informers of theft.
Answer: **E (Both follow)**Solution: Smart meters (I) **detect**; reward (II) **deterrence via public participation** → **both accepted worldwide**.
Shortcut: **“Detection + incentive”** → **both correct**.
Tag: **Incentive combo**
15. Statement: Road caves in after heavy rain, causing traffic jams.
Course of Action:
I. Use of plastic waste in road construction should be promoted.
II. Immediate temporary steel plates should be placed over cave-in portion.
Answer: **E (Both follow)**Solution: Plastic-waste roads (I) **long-term prevention**; steel plates (II) **instant traffic restoration** → **both valid**.
Shortcut: **“Immediate + long-term”** → **both correct**.
Tag: **Time-horizon combo**
Speed Tricks
| Situation | Shortcut | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Option contains “citizens/people should” | 80 % weak → skip unless no better option | “People should carry less cash” → weak |
| Extreme words – all, only, abolish, compulsory | Doubt by default; check feasibility in 3 s | “Only online exams” → doubt |
| Technology + surveillance combo | Usually both correct | GPS trucks & CCTV → tick both |
| Before/after time words | Strong → prefer | “Before monsoon” → immediate action |
| Two-part statement (warn + punish) | Each part must pass filter; if one absurd → whole option wrong | “Warn & imprison for life” → second part extreme → reject |
Quick Revision
| Point | Detail |
|---|---|
| 1 | Ask “Will it directly solve the stated problem?” |
| 2 | Government is assumed capable – don’t reject for boldness. |
| 3 | Individual action is last resort; systemic action = best. |
| 4 | Chain benefits (GDP, image) are NOT direct → reject. |
| 5 | Feasibility > Idealism; choose possible, not perfect. |
| 6 | “Ban” & “Abolish” are almost always wrong. |
| 7 | Time-bound actions (before monsoon, within 24 h) → strong. |
| 8 | Technology (GPS, RFID, app) → accepted fast in answers. |
| 9 | Penalty/fine options → valid if enforceable. |
| 10 | When both I & II look good → tick “Both”; no negative marking in most RRB tiers. |
BETA
