Syllabus Connection: GS Paper IV (Aptitude and Foundational Values for Civil Service)
Contemporary News Pivot
In the 2025 professional landscape, the rapid integration of Generative AI has shifted the recruitment focus. As technical skills (aptitude) face a shorter "half-life" due to automation, employers and public institutions are prioritizing "Soft Governance Skills."
Strategic Dimensions
- Aptitude vs. Attitude: While Aptitude represents the competency to perform a task, Attitude is the mental disposition. In AI-heavy environments, "Coachability" (the willingness to learn) is now valued over static technical expertise.
- The Ownership Model: Unlike a machine, a human professional offers accountability and ethical judgment. The "Attitude" of taking ownership is what differentiates a leader from a technical operator.
- Adaptability Quotient (AQ): Modern workplaces demand high AQ—the ability to pivot during technological disruptions. For a civil servant, this translates to using AI tools to enhance public service delivery without losing the "human touch."
IAS-2026 - OPTIONAL / GEOGRAPHY / PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION / SOCIOLOGY / ANTHROPOLOGY / ORIENTATION ON 03 & 04-10-2025 
