28 Course of Action
28.1 Introduction
In these reasoning questions, you are given a situation (problem statement) followed by several suggested courses of action.
Your task is to judge which course(s) should be logically and practically followed.
28.2 1) What is a Course of Action?
- A course of action is a step, decision, or measure that should reasonably be taken in response to the situation.
- It must be logical, practical, and relevant to the problem.
- Avoid extreme, illogical, or unrelated options.
28.3 2) Guidelines to Evaluate
- Relevance – Does it directly address the problem?
- Feasibility – Is it practical, possible, and implementable?
- Effectiveness – Will it solve or reduce the problem?
- Ethical/Legal – Is it socially acceptable, fair, and within norms?
- Avoid extremes – Drastic actions (ban everything, punish all, etc.) are usually wrong unless clearly justified.
28.4 3) Examples
28.4.1 Example 1
Statement: A rise in unemployment has been reported in the country.
Courses of Action:
1. Government should provide more incentives to industries.
2. Government should stop foreign investment immediately.
Answer: (1) follows – practical. (2) does not follow – extreme.
28.4.2 Example 2
Statement: Many people in the city are suffering from dengue fever.
Courses of Action:
1. Public should be educated about mosquito breeding.
2. Medical facilities should be expanded.
Answer: Both (1) and (2) follow – logical and preventive.
28.4.3 Example 3
Statement: Many accidents occur due to rash driving at night.
Courses of Action:
1. Strict traffic rules and night patrolling should be enforced.
2. Ban driving after 9 PM.
Answer: (1) follows – practical. (2) does not follow – impractical.
28.4.4 Example 4
Statement: Air pollution in metro cities has risen alarmingly.
Courses of Action:
1. Use of public transport should be promoted.
2. Private vehicles should be banned immediately.
Answer: (1) follows – feasible. (2) does not follow – too extreme.
28.4.5 Example 5
Statement: Students are not performing well in mathematics.
Courses of Action:
1. Provide special coaching and practice sessions.
2. Abolish mathematics as a compulsory subject.
Answer: (1) follows – constructive. (2) does not follow – illogical.
28.5 4) Golden Rules
- Accept solutions that are constructive, practical, preventive, and corrective.
- Reject actions that are extreme, unrelated, or impractical.
- Usually, more than one course of action can follow.
- Focus on positive outcomes.
28.6 5) Practice Questions
- Statement: Road accidents are increasing rapidly.
Courses of Action:- Traffic rules should be strictly enforced.
- Roads should be repaired and widened.
- Traffic rules should be strictly enforced.
- Statement: Shortage of electricity has been reported.
Courses of Action:- Promote solar and renewable energy.
- Encourage wastage of electricity.
- Promote solar and renewable energy.
- Statement: Cases of cyber fraud are increasing.
Courses of Action:- Awareness programs for safe internet use should be conducted.
- Internet services should be banned.
- Awareness programs for safe internet use should be conducted.
- Statement: Farmers are not getting fair prices for crops.
Courses of Action:- Strengthen agricultural marketing systems.
- Stop agricultural production.
- Strengthen agricultural marketing systems.
- Statement: Number of school dropouts is increasing.
Courses of Action:- Provide free education schemes and scholarships.
- Close schools in rural areas.
- Provide free education schemes and scholarships.
28.7 6) Answer Key
- Both (a) and (b) follow.
- Only (a) follows.
- Only (a) follows.
- Only (a) follows.
- Only (a) follows.
28.8 Summary
- Course of Action = What should be done to solve the stated problem.
- Select logical, feasible, and constructive measures.
- Avoid extremes unless clearly justified.
- Remember: multiple correct actions are possible if both are reasonable.