← HCS syllabus
HCS (Haryana)Stage 1: Preliminary Examination
Decision Making and Problem Solving
What the official syllabus says
CSAT (Preliminary Examination, Paper II):
- Decision making and problem solving.
Topics in detail
The decision-making process
- Identifying the problem and its root cause, as distinct from its symptoms
- Collecting relevant facts and checking their reliability
- Listing the possible courses of action
- Weighing each option: benefits, costs, risks, time and feasibility
- Choosing, implementing and following up a decision
- Rational, intuitive and consultative styles of decision making
- Decisions under uncertainty and under time pressure
Decisions in administration
- Acting within the law, rules and the limits of one's authority
- Use of discretion: fairness, consistency and recording reasons
- Balancing the interests of different stakeholders
- Priorities: urgent and important tasks; immediate relief and long-term solutions
- Delegation and consultation with colleagues and experts
- Accountability and transparency in decisions
- Decisions involving public money and resources
Situational questions
- Scenarios from district administration, offices and field work
- Law and order and public safety situations
- Disaster and emergency situations: rescue, relief, coordination
- Conflicts between a superior's order and the rules
- Conflicts of interest and pressure from influential persons
- Grievances of citizens, employees or vulnerable groups
- Choosing the most appropriate, not merely a possible, response
Problem-solving approaches
- Trial and error, elimination and working backwards
- Analysing a problem into smaller problems
- Finding creative solutions within constraints
- Learning from the outcome of a decision
Quantitative decisions
- Choosing between options using simple calculations of cost, time or output
- Decisions based on given rules or eligibility criteria (who qualifies)
Questions to ask of each option
| Test | Question |
|---|---|
| Legality | Is it within the law, the rules and my authority? |
| Fairness | Does it treat all those affected justly and without favour? |
| Effectiveness | Does it solve the actual problem, not just the symptom? |
| Feasibility | Can it be done with the time, people and money available? |
| Public interest | Does it serve the people the office exists for? |
| Accountability | Could I explain and justify it on record? |
How such questions are framed
A situation is described, often with competing pressures, and four responses are offered. Several may be possible; the question asks for the best. Responses that are hasty, that avoid responsibility by passing the matter on, or that break rules for a quick result are usually weaker than those that act promptly, consult where needed, follow due process and keep the affected people informed.
Overlaps
Ethical dilemmas and case studies are the core of General Studies IV (Ethics, Integrity and Aptitude); administrative and disaster scenarios also connect with General Studies II and General Studies III.