Syllabus for Paper I – English: Essay, Précis writing, Comprehension, Business/Office Correspondence.

Syllabus for Paper II – Economic and Social Issues :

Growth and Development

Measurement of Growth: National Income and Per Capita Income

Poverty Alleviation and Employment Generation in India

Sustainable Development and Environmental issues.

Economic Reforms in India – Industrial and Labour Policy –

Monetary and Fiscal Policy –

Privatisation –

Role of Economic Planning. Globalisation –

Opening up of the Indian Economy –

Balance of Payments, Export-Import Policy –

International Economic Institutions– IMF and World Bank – WTO –

Regional Economic Co-operation. Social Structure in India – Multiculturalism–

Demographic Trends – Urbanisation and Migration – Gender Issues –

Social Justice: Positive Discrimination in Favour of the Under Privileged –

Social Movements – Indian Political System – Human Development –

Social Sectors in India, Health and Education.

Syllabus for Paper III – Finance and Management:

Finance: The Union Budget – Direct and Indirect Taxes;

Non-tax Sources of Revenue;

Outlays; New Measures;

Financial Sector Reforms;

Capital Market, Money Market and Foreign Exchange Market,

Stock Exchanges and their Regulation; Capital Market

Intermediaries and their Regulation;

Role of SEBI;

Functions of the Money Market;

Growth and Operation of the Money Market;

The Foreign Exchange Market;

From FERA to FEMA;

Exchange Rate Management; Exchange Risk Management,

Role of Banks and Financial Institutions in Economic Development;

Regulation of Banks and Financial Institutions;

Disinvestment in Public Sector Units.

Management: Management, its Nature and Scope;

The Management Processes, Planning, Organisation, Staffing, Directing and Controlling;

The Role of a Manager in an Organisation, Leadership;

The Tasks of a Leader, Leadership Styles; Leadership Theories;

A Successful Leader versus an Effective Leader,

Human Resource Development;

Concept of HRD,

Goals of HRD,

Performance Appraisal – Potential Appraisal and Development – Feedback and Performance Counselling – Career Planning – Training and Development – Rewards – Employee Welfare, Motivation, Morale and Incentives;

Theories of Motivation: How Managers Motivate;

Concept of Morale;

Factors Determining Morale;

Role of Incentives in Building up Morale.

Communication:

Steps in the Communication Process;

Communication Channels;

Oral versus written Communication;

Verbal versus Non-verbal Communication;

Upward, Downward and Lateral Communication;

Barriers to Communication,

Role of Information Technology,

Corporate Governance;

Factors affecting Corporate Governance; Mechanisms of Corporate Governance.

150+ Mock Questions previous exams

These are from RBI exams, as well as IGNOU’s BA and MA exams. The

list looks big only because same questions are rephrased and repeated.

Coordination, Control

1. Briefly describe the different techniques of coordination.

2. What do you understand by coordination? Give reasons for its

necessity.

3. Discuss the various techniques followed to achieve

coordination in organisations

4. ‘Span of control is essential for effective working’. Explain

5. Principle of Span of Control is an extension of the Principle of

hierarchy. DiscussLeadership

1. Describe the qualities required for a good leadership.

2. Describe the qualities of a good supervisor

3. Write a note on leadership styles

4. What are the sources of authority in an organization?

5. ‘Effective use of leadership qualities and functions is critical to

an efficient organization’? Elaborate

6. what are the differences between autocratic, democratic and

abdicative styles of leadership

7. Identify the skills required for a manager to be an effective

leader.

8. Who is a successful leader? List out at least five important

attributes of successful leadership. How do delegation and

organisational culture play significant role in the leader’s

success?

9. What do you mean by “leadership style”? How would you

differentiate successful leadership from effective leadership?

10. Leaders are born, not made. Comment.

11. What are the major differences between autocratic,

democratic and abdicative styles of leadership?

Work division-Line-Staff-CEO-Hierarchy

1. explain the terms authority and responsibility

2. Briefly evaluate the bases of work division

3. 4 Ps are the bases of work division in organisations. Discuss

4. Explain the basic features of Hierarchy in an organisation

5. Write a note on advantages and disadvantages of the principle

of hierarchy in an organisation

6. Highlight the advantages and application of hierarchical

principle in the organization.

7. Level Jumping paves the way for efficient functioning.

8. Briefly analyse the functions of the chief executive

9. Discuss the meaning and types of Chief executives

10. Staff and Line Agencies act as aid to the Chief Executive.

Comment

11. Discuss the salient features of Auxiliary Agency

12. Discuss the features and functions of Staff Agencies.

13. Describe the salient features and functions of staff agencies.

14. The Chief Executive needs effective aides for functioning.

Discuss.

15. Explain the different functions of the Chief Executive.POSDCORB & allied topics

1. Write a note on types of decisions, and obstacles to good

decision making.

2. Discuss the important types of planning

3. Discuss the types and techniques of planning.

4. Discuss the meaning and importance of administrative

planning.

5. Responsibility Must Be Matched by Authority Responsibility

must always be matched by authority if delegation is to work

at all. Comment

6. Distinguish between Public Administration and Business

Administration

7. Planning and Control are two sides of the same coin”. Do you

agree? Why?

8. Planning is the basis of control; action is its essence;

delegation is its key and information its guide. Discuss.

9. What is control? What are the essentials of a good control

system?

10. What are the essentials of a good control system?

11. What are the behavioural implications of control?

12. What is directing? Explain the principles and techniques

involved in directing.

13. Planning is the bridge between the present and the future.

Discuss.Communication

1. Explain the factors affecting communication within an

organization.

2. Define communication. What are the different types of

communication?

3. Discuss the role of communication in an organisation. What

are the barriers to effective communication?Organizations

1. What do you understand by formal and informal organisations?

How do they supplement each other?

2. Briefly describe the characteristics and functions of Formal

organisations.

3. Throw light on the features of Formal and Informal

organisation

4. Formal and Informal Organisation have distinct

characteristics” explain.

5. Throw light on the characteristics of formal organisations

6. ‘Organisation is a Cooperative system’. Discuss

7. List the characteristics of formal organisation.

8. Sound organisation is an essential prerequisite of efficient

management explain

9. What is a Learning Organisation? Suggest a model framework

for the same.

10. Explain “organisation structure’; What are the steps involved

in designing the organisation structure

11. Explain the steps involved in the implementation of change

in an organisation. What are the factors that create resistance

to change?

12. Sound organization is an essential prerequisite of efficient

management.” Explain.Delegation Decentralization, Decision making

1. Explain the meaning and significance of delegation in an

organisation

2. Examine the merits and demerits of decentralisation

3. Analyse the factors affecting centralisation and

decentralisation.

4. Explain the characteristics, types and principles of delegation.

5. Define delegation and highlight its needs.

6. Many a factor affect centralisation and decentralisation?

Elucidate.

7. Assess the need of delegation in an organisation

8. Describe the main hindrances to delegation of authority?

9. What is delegation of authority? How can delegation be made

effective

10. What are the advantages and disadvantages of

decentralization?

11. Decentralisation is not necessarily good; nor centralisation

necessarily bad. Discuss.

12. Explain therms ” centralisation” and ” decentralisation”.

13. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of group decision

making.

14. What is decision making? What is the role played by

Management Information System in decision making?

15. Delegation of authority is not loss of power; it is

enhancement of power.” Examine this statement critically.

16. Explain the relevance of delegation of authority in making

decentralisation effective.

17. Explain the terms authority and responsibility. What is

delegation of authority? How can delegation be made

effective?Motivation and Morale

1. Explain the concept of morale factors that affect morale of the

organization.

2. Discuss the types of morale in public service

3. What are the factors affecting morale?

4. Explain the methods of evaluation of moral.

5. Discuss Maslow’s Theory of Motivation

6. Explain the type of motivation and also analyse  the factors

affecting motivation

7. Explain the meaning and types of motivation, bringing out the

different types of motivation.

8. Positive’ and ‘negative’ motivation are two types of

motivation, basically existing for public services. Discuss

9. What is meant by morale? How is it related to productivity?

Explain the factors contributing to morale.Personnel Management

1. Examine, in brief, the important functions of personnel

administration

2. What are the features of bureaucracy? Discuss its merits and

demerits

3. What do you understand by the term specialists? Throw light

on the controversy arising between the role of Generalists and

Specialists.

4. Suggest suitable ways to evolve an efficient personnel system

5. Highlight the meaning and nature of personnel administration.

6. ‘There are various factors, which directly or indirectly,

influence the system of performance appraisal’. Elaborate.

7. Analyse the relations between Generalist vs Specialist

administrator. Discuss the merits and demerits

8. Discuss different kinds/methods of recruitment existing for

civil servants

9. What are the advantages of service classificationRecruitment

1. Throw light on the recruitment system in India and discuss the

essentials of a good recruitment system.

2. Describe the important phases of the recruitment process.

3. Describe classification of services and its various types.

4. What are the types of recruitment?

5. State the essentials of a good recruitment system.

6. Briefly describe the various methods of testing merit of

candidates for recruitment

7. Explain the relevance of recruitment procedure in an

organization and describe the major steps in the process of

recruitment.

8. Write a note in brief on important steps in recruitment

process.

9. Describe the different methods of ascertaining merit.Training

1. Highlight the objectives of training.

2. Highlight the various roles of training.

3. Write a note on the objectives, significance, process and

strategies of capacity building

4. Write a note on Training Methods.

5. Define Training and discuss important training methods.

6. Explain redeployment and highlight its guiding principles and

key issues

7. Write a note in brief, on redeployment in India with special

reference to Voluntary Retirement Scheme and National

Renewal Fund.Performance appraisal

1. Describe the meaning of performance appraisal and the

factors that explain influence the performance appraisal

system.

2. Highlight the meaning and objectives of performance

appraisal.

3. Highlight few traditional methods of performance appraisal.

4. What is the significance of Performance Appraisal? Evaluate its

methods

5. Critically examine the various factors which directly or

indirectly influence the system of performance appraisal

6. What is performance appraisal? What are its objectives?Promotion

1. Discuss the meaning, importance and principles of promotion

2. What are the essentials of a good promotion policy?

3. Discuss the important methods of testing merit for promotion

4. Explain the meaning of promotion and discuss its principles.

5. Explain briefly the method of ‘efficiency rating’ for testing

merit for PromotionSalary

1. Explain the different types of incentive plans.

2. Discuss the important methods of pay fixation.

3. Describe the principles of pay fixation.

4. Analyze the methods of determining salary structure

5. Examine the methods and principles of pay  fixation

6. Highlight the important principles of remuneration.

7. Explain various types of employee benefits

8. What is Collective Bargaining? Discuss its objectives and

process

9. Highlight the principles of pay fixationCareer planning, Manpower planning

1. Explain the importance of career development

2. Explain the meaning of career planning and development

3. Career planning and development is a continuous process.

Explain in terms of various steps involved.

4. Define man power planning and highlight its important aspects

5. Describe the steps in career planning and development.

6. Elucidate the importance of career planning.

7. Explain the significance and functions of manpower planning

in personnel administration.

8. What are the advantages and short comings of Manpower

Planning?HRM related

1. Discuss the similarities and dissimilarities between Personnel

Management and Human Resource Management.

2. Manpower Planning is not an isolated exercise but an integral

management function. Discuss.

3. Describe the Purposes of Assessing Human Resource

Management effectiveness

4. Define human resource management and briefly discuss its

objectives and scope.

5. Explain Human Resource Development and its characteristics

and implications.

6. Assessing the effectiveness of human resource activities is

vital to the success of organization. Elaborate

7. Define Strategic Human Resource Management and highlight

its different approaches.

8. Discuss the various ways of assessing effectiveness of Human

Resource Management.

9. What is 360-degree performance appraisal? Why is it so

important today?

10. Management is the development of people ; not the

direction of things DiscussJob Analysis-Evaluation-Enlargement

1. Define Job Evaluation and explain its methods.

2. Elucidate the various methods of job evaluation.

3. Describe the important methods of job evaluation.

4. Explain the concept of job analysis and discuss the important

methods of obtaining data for job analysis.

5. Define Job Design and throw light on the meaning and

significance of Job Enlargement and Job Enrichment

6. Explain the concept of job analysis and discuss the important

methods of obtaining data for job analysis.HR audit

1. Explain the concept of human resource audit and throw light

on the approaches to it.

2. The scope and subject areas of human resource audit are very

wide’. Discuss.HR: Conflict resolution/ Union

1. Write a note on Conflict Resolution.

2. What is Grouse? Explain its causes and effects.

3. Analyse the problems regarding disciplinary proceedings.

4. Discuss the various causes and types of disciplinary action

5. Employees’ welfare is an important function of personnel

administration.  Explain

6. Define grievance and describe its causes and grievance

handling machinery.

7. Discuss the objectives of workers’ Participation in

Management and refer to Institutional arrangements for

workers’ participation in management in India.

8. Write a note on Conflict Resolution

9. Write a note on Institutional Arrangements for Workers

Participation in Management in India.

10. briefly discuss the objectives and functions of employees’ 

union

11. Discuss various types of bargaining and bring to light the

essentials and process of collective bargaining.TQM-MBO-OD-Change mgmt.

Not directly part of syllabus but you can use it as fodder material to enrich

other answers related to management.

1. Explain Organisational development

2. Write a note on Organisational Effectiveness.

3. Define Organisational Development and highlight its

techniques.

4. Define Management By Objectives(MBO) and explain the steps

involved in it

5. Write a note on Management by objectives.

6. Define management development and analyse its various

approaches

7. Discuss the concept of Total Quality Management and bring to

light its advantages.

8. What is total quality management and examine its

advantages?

9. Distinguish between traditional management and TQM and

discuss the advantages of TQM.

10. Define quality and explain the framework of implementing

Total Quality Management (TQM) in the context of India

11. Critically examine major approaches to managing change in

the organization

FINANCE

RBI Grade “B” 2002

SECTION I

1. What does the Union Budget 2003-2004 offer to the salaried

employee and the common man?

2. Explain briefly the salient features of the Foreign Exchange

Management Act.

3. Discuss the role of the Reserve Bank of India in the economic

development of the country.

4. Critically evaluate our country’s efforts in disinvestment in

public sector undertakings.

5. Write short notes on-any two of the following

1. Regional Rural Banks.

2. Mutual Funds

3. Role of NABARD in economic development.

4. Difference between direct and indirect taxes.SECTION II

6. ” Planning and Control are two sides of the same coin”. Do you

agree? Why?

7. What are the advantages and disadvantages of

decentralization?

8. Identify the skills required for a manager to be an effective

leader.

9. What is performance appraisal? What are its objectives?RBI Grade “B” 2003SECTION 1

1. Examine the implications of tax reform measures introduced in

the Budget 2004-2005.

2. Is the present level of foreign exchange reserves of India

adequate from the view point of implementing capital account;

convertibility of the Rupee? Discuss.

3. Examine the role of foreign direct investment (FDI) in India.

4. How far has the Development Banking’ policy of India

achieved it objectives? Explain.

5. Write short notes on any two of the following

1. WTO and India

2. E-Commerce

3. India’s Services Sector

4. Derivatives.SECTION II

6. What is a Learning Organisation? Suggest a model framework

for the same.

7. Explain the failure of ‘Corporate Governance’ at Enron.

8. What is 360-degree performance appraisal? Why is it so

important today?

9. Who is a successful leader? List out at least five important

attributes of successful leadership. How do delegation and

organisational culture play significant role in the leader’s

success?RBI Grade “B” 2004SECTION 1

1. What are the powers vested in SEBI to promote the

development of the securities market and to protect the

interests of investors?

2. Define “money market”. Who are the main players in this

market and what are the instruments used?

3. What is meant by NRI? What are the incentives provided to

attract in investment by NRIs?

4. What is “Fiscal deficit”? How would the reduction of its size in

terms of GNP (Gross National Product) benefit the economy?

5. Write short notes on any two of the following

1. Venture Capital Fund

2. Lead Bank Scheme

3. Non-performing Assets

4. Book Building.SECTION 2

6. “Planning is the basis of control; action is its essence;

delegation is its key and information its guide. Discuss.

7. What is “policy”? Distinguish between (a) objectives and

policies and (b) policies and procedures.

8. What do you mean by “leadership style”? How would you

differentiate successful leadership from effective leadership?

9. What is meant by morale How is it related to productivity?

Explain the factors contributing to morale.RBI Grade “B” 2007SECTION I

1. Explain briefly the capital adequacy norms applicable to banks

2. What is “insider trading “? Explain briefly the main elements of

the regulation relating to prohibition of insider trading.

3. What is commercial bill market? Why has it not developed as a

segment of the money market?

4. Write a brief note on the framework of operations of Foreign

Institutional Investors in India,

5. Discuss the investment objectives of mutual furids. Outline the

restrictions on investments and borrowings by mutual fundsSECTION II

6. Management is the development of people; not the direction

of things Discuss

7. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of group decision

making.

8. “Decentralisation is not necessarily good; nor centralisation

necessarily bad “. Discuss.

9. What is control? What are the essentials of a good control

system?RBI Grade “B” 2008Section I

1. ” The focus of banks in India has now shifted from statutory

compliance to internal financial management.” Comment

2. Discuss the salient features of the foreign exchange market in

India.

3. Briefly discuss the main features of the RBI directives relating

to acceptance of deposits by NBFCs.

4. What is “book building “? Explain briefly the framework of the

book building method of issue of capital.

5. Write short notes on any two of the following :—

1. WTO and India

2. Venture Capital Fund

3. Non Performing Assets

4. Role of NABARD in economic development.Section II

6. ” Delegation of authority is not loss of power; it is

enhancement of power .” Examine this statement critically.

7. What is performance appraisal? What are its objectives?

8. Write note on following two

1. What are the essentials of a good control system?

2. What are the behaviours implications of control?

9. Describe the salient features of corporate governance in India.RBI Grade “B” 2009SECTION I

1. “With greater liberalization, the need for regulation is also

higher.” Explain.

2. What is a derivative contract? Explain “forward”, “future” and

“option” contract.

3. Explain the concept of a “stock market index” What does this

index indicate?

4. Discuss the principal features of Eurocurrency Loans.

5. Write short notes on any two of the following :-

1. Capital Adequacy Norms

2. Credit Rating

3. Debt Securitisation

4. Infrastructure Finance.SECTION II

6. Explain “organisation structure’; What are the steps involved

in designing the organisation structure

7. What is directing? Explain the principles and techniques

involved in directing.

8. “Leaders are born, not made” Comment.

9. Explain the steps involved in the implementation of change in

an organisation. What are the factors that create resistance to

change?RBI Grade “B” 2010SECTION I

1. Explain the different aspects of the Indian Capital Market.

What has been the role of SEBI in this task?

2. What is foreign exchange risk? How can it be managed?

Discuss the tools used for the purpose.

3. What is credit rating? Discuss its benefits and limitations.

4. Briefly discuss the framework put in place by the Reserve

Bank of India for the supervision of banks and financial

institutions.

5. What are the arguments advanced in favour of foreign direct

investment? What steps have been taken by the Government

in the period after 1991 to encourage foreign direct

investment?SECTION II

6. “Planning is the bridge between the present and the future “.

Discuss.

7. Write notes on two

1. Explain the terms ” centralisation” and ” decentralisation”.

2. Explain the role of delegation of authority in making

decentralisation effective.

8. What is decision making? What is the role played by

Management Information System in decision making?

9. Discuss the role of communication in an organisation. What

are the barriers to effective communication?RBI Grade “B” 2011Section I (Write Any Three Qs)

1. What is meant by merchant banking? Discuss in detail the

various functions performed by merchant bankers.

2. Briefly explain the salient features of the Foreign Exchange

Management Act.

3. “A tax is a burden on the present; a debt (loan) puts the

burden of repayment on future generations.” Explain.

4. Explain in detail the different methods of credit control in

India.

5. (a) What is securitization? What purpose does it

serve? (b) Discuss the benefits and limitations of

securitization.Section II (Write Any Two Qs)

1. Sound organization is an essential prerequisite of efficient

management.” Explain.

2. What are the major differences between autocratic,

democratic and abdicative styles of leadership?

3. (a) Explain the terms authority and responsibility  (b) What is

delegation of authority? How can delegation be made

effective?

4. Discuss the role of communication in an organization. What

are the barriers to effective communication?