The Comprehension section is a vital part of the English syllabus for competitive exams like NDA, CDS, and AFCAT. This topic tests candidates on their ability to read, interpret, and analyze passages, requiring strong reading and comprehensive skills. These exams aim to assess a candidate’s proficiency in quickly understanding complex texts and responding to questions that gauge their grasp of nuances, themes, and specific details within a passage.
Directions: Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions that follow.
A close look at the facts relating to political interference in administration shows that it is not a one-way process. There is often a nexus between power-hungry and corrupt politicians and civil servants with convenient principles. Many civil servants are only too anxious to oblige the politicians, and then cash the obligation when they need some special favour. So the attitude of self-righteousness adopted by the civil service is sometimes only a way of covering their own flaws by blaming others.
Every now and then some retired civil servants come out with his memoirs, painting a glorious picture of the heights of administrative efficiency reached during his reign. There is often the suggestion that had there not been so much political interference, things would have been even more fantastic. It is not unusual for the self-styled hero to blame not only interfering politicians but also fellow civil servants who were idiots or crooks, for his failures. This attitude of smug self-satisfaction is, unfortunately, developed during the years of service. Self-preservation rather than service is encouraged by our whole system of rules and procedures.
The remedy has to be drastic and quickly effective. The over-protection now granted to civil servants must end. Today to remove an erring civil servant is just not possible. And the only thing that the highest authority in the Government, both in the State and at the Centre, can do is to transfer an official from one job to another.
The rules for taking disciplinary action are so complicated that, in the end, the defaulting civil servant gets away, and gets his full emoluments even for the period of the disciplinary proceedings, thus making it a paid holiday for him.
The result is that the administration has become rule-oriented and not result-oriented. Action is possible against the official who takes some interest in his work, but no action is ever taken against a person who does not deliver the goods. If the country is to adopt a result-oriented approach, it is necessary to link job performance with job retention.
Q) The facts relating to the problem of political interference indicate that
(a)honest bureaucrats are always being troubled by politicians
(b)politicians are often misled and trapped by civil servants
(c)politicians and civil servants co-operate to gain mutual advantages
(d)politicians and civil servants use interference as an excuse for victimizing the common man
Ans. (c)
Q) The attitude of self-righteousness adopted by the civil service, according to the writer
(a) is not welcomed and supported by politicians
(b) is dishonest and conceals the facts
(c) is very difficult to maintain because of opposition
(d) does not really help the public get fair treatment
Ans. (b)
Q) Civil servants who write their memoirs after retiring
(a)claim that they would have achieved outstanding success if interference had not come in the way
(b)prove that constant political interference made it impossible for them to do anything properly
(c)complain that the credit for their achievements goes to dishonest politicians
(d)prove that people of inferior quality in the civil service bring about interference
Ans. (a)
Q) The existing system of administration seems to encourage civil servants
(a) to become self-styled heroes and boss over others
(b) to present a glorious picture of the administration
(c) to become self-centered and concerned mainly about their own gain
(d) to become self-righteous and fight back against corrupt politicians
Ans. (c)
Q) The problem with the present set-up needing urgent action is
(a) a lack of accountability on the part of civil servants
(b) a lack of control over the power of politicians
(c) a neglect of the ideals of self-righteousness
(d) complicated rules and procedures that greatly reduce efficiency
Ans. (a)
For more questions, check out NDA-CDS-AFCAT 1 2025 Exam English Live – Comprehension – Class 1
Questions in the Comprehension section can cover a range of formats, such as multiple-choice questions based on the passage, inferential questions, vocabulary-related queries, and interpretative questions. These require not just a surface-level reading but a deeper understanding of context and subtle clues embedded in the passage. Therefore, to excel in this section, candidates must be adept at discerning themes, identifying key points, and recognizing the logical flow of ideas.
Strong reading skills are at the core of success in comprehension. These include the ability to scan for information quickly, distinguish main ideas from supporting details, and read efficiently under time constraints. Building these skills can help candidates identify relevant parts of the passage to answer questions quickly and accurately. Furthermore, comprehensive skills, such as making inferences and understanding vocabulary in context, are crucial for addressing questions that require interpretation beyond straightforward recall.
In Comprehension Class 1, I conducted an MCQ session where candidates practiced solving essential comprehension questions. This session offered hands-on experience in employing various reading strategies and techniques, helping candidates to familiarize themselves with the comprehension question types they are likely to encounter. Through this targeted practice, they developed effective techniques to enhance both speed and accuracy in tackling comprehension passages.
In summary, mastering the Comprehension section is indispensable for candidates aiming for high scores in NDA, CDS, and AFCAT 1 2025 exams. By developing strong reading and comprehensive skills, candidates can not only understand passages better but also maximize their accuracy and efficiency, ultimately improving their performance across the English section.
