Public Administration Previous Year Qus

Drishti IAS
Previous Year Questions

Public Administration
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www.drishtiias.com/eng Previous Year Questions (Public Administration) 2
2021
PAPER-1
SECTION-A
1. Answer the following in about 150 words each:
(a) Governance is about managing self-organizing networks." Elaborate.
(b) Two-dimensional taxonomy was used by Herbert Simon to describe the degree to
which decisions are programmed or non-programme(d)" Explain.
(c) Examine the approach of public service motivation as an inducement to bring the
desired level of efficiency in public service delivery.
(d) In theory, the 'civil society organizations' promote cooperation between people and
public service organizations, but in practice, their activities restrict the promotion of
government programmes. Analyze.
(e) Fayol and Taylor had different management perspectives, while having similar goals of
organizational efficiency. Comment.
2. (a) Behavioural approach has been questioned on the basis of its utility in the analysis of
administrative problems. Discuss the weaknesses of the 20 approach and the shifts
made therein.
(b) Public administration has been viewed as a socially embedded process of collective
relationship, dialogue and action. Examine the statement in light of the consensus
achieved in the Third Minnow Brook Conference.
(c) Public-private partnership phenomenon has been transformed into a type of
governance scheme or mechanism. Discuss its capacity to overcome future challenges.
3. (a) Integration of different streams of administrative thought to propound a universal
administrative theory is hindered by the impact of culture. Critically examine.
(b) Judicial review, prevention of misuse or abuse of administrative power and provision
of suitable remedies are the basic principles of administrative law. Justify as how
various organs of the State are able to uphold these principles.
(c) Regulation is an old but increasingly necessary mode of social coordination and politial
intervention into societal processes. Examine it in the context of globalization.
4. (a) The new public service model approaches governance on the premises of an active
and involved citizenship, wherein the rolc of public officials is to facilitate opportunities
for citizens' engagement in governance. Explain.
(b) Neo-WeberianState involves changing the model of operation of administrative
structures into a model focused on meeting citizens' needs. Discuss.
(c) Nothing in public administration is more important, interesting or mysterious than
leadership. Analyze the statement in the context of strategic leadership.
Note:
3 Previous Year Questions (Public Administration) www.drishtiias.com/eng
SECTION-B
(a) The approach to the study of administration in its environmental context is especially
more useful for developing countries. Comment.
(b) Gender equality and women's rights have laid down a strong foundation of
development. Elaborate.
(c) Performance appraisal needs to be seen beyond the mere suitability of the official for
vertical promotion. Explain.
(d) It's widely agreed that the government ought to provide the goods that the marketfails
toprovide or does not provideefficiently. Argue.
(e) MIS has evolved and gone far beyond its traditional advantages due to technological
advancements. Comment.
6. (a) Emphasis on cost control and reducing public expenditure has diverted the focus of
government budgets from the basic objectives of reallocation of resources, bringing
economic stability and promoting social equity. Examine.
(b) In modern context, Riggsian terms have not altogether disappeared, but have emerged
in different forms with newer meanings. Discuss.
(c) A striking feature of economic development is an apparent symbiotic evolution of
strong States and strong market economies. Analyze.
7. (a) Policy problems are increasingly tending towards being wicke(d) Discuss the capacity
and preparedness of the State to tackle such problems.
(b) Zero-based budgeting was intended to get away from incrementalism, but cca up
being the most incremental of any budgetary approach. Discuss.
(c) ICT has immense potential to transform governance and empower citizens. Examine.
8. (a) The successful attainment of SDGs objectiveslargely depends upon the wisdom,
experience and farsightedness of the actors involved and their willingness to cooperate
in the implementation process. Analyze.
(b) Groups work to elevate issues on the policy agenda or seek to deny other groups the
opportunity to place issues. In this background, discuss the role of interest groups in
agenda setting in the developing countries.
(c) Civil servants generally tend to exhibit the values and ethical framework of the political
executives under whom they function. Explain.
2021
PAPER-2
SECTION-A
(a) The Preamble to the Constitution of India provides a foundational framework of ideals
and values for the Indian administration. Discuss.
Note:
(b) Examine the extent to which the ideal of Constitutionalism as 'government by limited
powers has been a functional reality in Indi(a)
(c) Red-tapism is a major obstacle to the implementation of 'good governance. Comment.
(d) The role and status of the Speaker in the parliamentary system have their foundation
in the Speaker's stance on neutrality. Comment.
(e) The Union government develops and practices strategies to administer an increasing
number of existing local government services by sidelining local initiatives and
discretion. Examine.
2. (a) Kautilya envisages protection, welfare and prosperity of the State and its people as the
utmost concern of a ruler. In this context, discuss the significance of Kautilya's emphasis
on governing, accountability and justice in contemporary Indi(a)
(b) District Collector is the most important functionary in district administration in Indi(a)
In light of the above statement, discuss the multidimensional responsibilities of District
Collector in effecting coordinated developmental administration in Indi(a)
(c) The role of the Governor is of a sagacious counsellor, mediator and arbitrator rather
than that of an active politician. In this context, examine the role of the Governor in
state politics in Indi(a)
3. (a) Recruitment is the cornerstone of the whole public personnel structure and it revolves
around the problem of attracting the best. Discuss the essential elements of a good
recruitment system.
(b) Traditionally structured administrative systems have outlived their utility. Discuss as
how administrative reforms can revamp, restructure and redesign the existing
governmental structure to meet the new challenges faced by the Indian administrative
set-up.
(c) The government policy of large-scale privatization of the key sectors of economy may
affect India's economic health. Comment.
4. (a) As a constitutionally mandated body the Finance Commission stands at the centre of
fiscal federalism. Evaluate the role of Finance Commission in ensuring just and
equitable resource sharing among the states and the union.
(b) Recent market approaches to public services present serious challenges to traditional
and state-sponsored public service values. Evaluate the statement in the context of
Indian administration.
(c) The increasing criminalization of politics is a major threat to the basic fabric of Indian
democracy. Comment.
SECTION-B
(a) No rural development strategy can succeed unless it is complemented by appropriate
Panchayati Raj Institutions. Examine the statement.
Note:
(b) NITI Aayog has been constituted to implement the goal of co-operative federalism.
Discuss.
(c) Responsibility and accountability are two major goals of Good Governance. Discuss
the statement in the context of lndian administration.
(d) The Prime Minister's Office has become a powerful institution in itself by virtue of its
role in decision-making on strategic issues of utmost importance. Examine the
statement.
(e) Well planned and goal-oriented training programmes arc the backbone of the civil
service system in Indi(a) Examine the statement.
6. (a) Budget proposals in the Parliament/ State Legislatures fail toensure their effective
scrutiny. the factors which constrain effective scrutiny of the budget proposals.
(b) 73rd and 74th Constitutional Amendment Acts aimed at making the third tier of
government powerful and effective for democratic decentralization. Critically examine
the extent to which this goal has been transformed into reality.
(c) The National Human Rights Commission is handicapped by its jurisdictional limitations
of not being able to investigate the cases of violation of human rights by the armed
forces. Discuss.
7. (a) Contemporary urbanism advocates the integration of diverse modes of urban planning
and management concerns. Discuss the above statement in light of urban development
in Indi(a)
(b) Rural development programmes are designed to facilitate multifaceted growth of
rural poor. Evaluate the role of some key rural development programmes in India in
this context.
(c) Police-public relations in India need to be improve(d) Suggest measures to strengthen
relations between police and publi(c)
8. (a) In past two decades India's public policy on Disaster Management has shifted its focus
from rescue, relief and rehabilitation efforts to holistic management of disaster.
Analyse.
(b) The institutional legacy of 'well-entrenched state' affected the post-reforms promises
in Indi(a) Explain the statement in the light of economic reforms in Indi(a)
(c) Do you agree with the view that the civil service in India is losing its neutral and
anonymous character? Argue your case.
2020
PAPER-1
SECTION-A
(a) "The strength of Public Administration is in its exploration of the complexities and
nuances of public policy making and implementation." Discuss.
(b) Principles of analysis and principles of action were not differentiated in Taylor's
scientific management. Comment
Note:
(c) "Arbitrariness in the application of rule of law is a primary cause of poor governance."
Discuss.
(d) Departments, Boards and Commissions as forms of organization are dissimilar in the
context of accountability and responsibility." Analyse.
(e) Administrative man bridges the psychological man and the rational man. Explain.
2. (a) The movement towards governance as an organizing concept for public administration
and management is because the focus of administration has been shifting from the
bureaucratic state to the 'hollow state' and 'third-party government’. Critically
examine.
(b) "Organizations of the future will be organic-adaptive structures but temporary
systems." Discuss how Warren Bennis characterises the new form of organization.
(c) "Productivity is not the result of working conditions but the result of emotional
response of workers to work performe(d)" Are Elton Mayo's findings relevant in
contemporary organizations?
3. (a) Performance information use is a form of organizational behavior that is influenced by
an individual job, organizational and environmental factors. Critically analyse.
(b) New Public Service emphasizes democracy and citizenship as the basis for public
administration theory and practice. Elucidate.
(c) "Accountability under New Public Management has undergone a radical change,
although the focus has continued to remain on management." Comment
4. (a) "Developments in the field of Administrative Law reflect an increasingly blurred
boundary between the state and society, and between justice and administration."
Has administrative law become more constitutional than the Constitution itself?
Argue.
(b) “The content and process theories of motivation have the same focus but are different
in approaches." Do you agree? Give reasons.
(c) Thrust on citizen centricity and right based approaches, aim to empower the citizens.
In the light of the above, has administrative accountability improved? Justify your
argument
SECTION-B
(a) "Comparative Public Administration started with no paradigm of its own and developed
nane" Comment
(b) "Markets, hierarchies and networks represent modem governing structures in
government." Explain.
(c) Has policy analysis become a major source of legitimation of the status quo in political
and social order? Discuss.
(d) "Fiscal policy should address the issues of inequity, intricacy and obscurantism."
Explain.
(e) "Prevention of misconduct requires institutionalization of ethical values at the political
and administrative levels." Justify.
Note:
6. (a) "Administrative ideas must be seen in the context of the environment in which they
develop." In the light of the above statement, examine the influence of New Public
Management and Information and Communication Technologies on comparative
study of Public Administration.
(b) Affirmative action in socio-economic development has not altogether eliminated
discrimination. Discuss it in the context of women empowerment.
(c) Have political realities thwarted the move towards evidence-based policy making?
Critically examine.
7. (a) “Globalization is impacting the context of national policy making. The national policy
agenda is becoming international.” Explain.
(b) "Collaboration and its cognates for public service delivery need to be viewed from the
governance lenses." Comment. |
(c) Administrative reform is "an artificial inducement of administrative transformation
against resistance." (Gerald Caiden). Identify the nature of resistance and inducements
required to overcome it.
8. (a) "Disruptive nature of developments in Information Technology has changed the
contours of e-governance in the last one decade." Analyse.
(b) "Performance Management Framework enables a clear line of sight between planning,
measuring and monitoring performance." Critically analyse.
(c) "Objectives of performance budgeting include improving expenditure prioritization,
effectiveness and efficiency." Has performance budgeting worked effectively in the
governmentalsystem? Argue.
2020
PAPER-2
SECTION-A
1. Answer the following in about 150 words each :
(a) Mughal administration incorporated a combination of Indian and extra-Indian clement.
Discuss.
(b) There is a constant and continuous collision between bureaucratic values and
democratic values which adversely affects development. Do you agree? Elaborate.
(c) Parliamentary committees are at the deliberative core of parliamentary work which is
crucial for refining legislation. Elucidate.
(d) Considering India's diversity, the planning pattern of 'one-size-fits-all' was discarded in
favour of indicative planning. To what extent has it been useful to India?
(e) Even if all the States combine together, they cannot have their way in decision-making
in the GST Council, unless the Union agrees to it. Analyse this in the perspective of
federalism in Indi(a)
Note:
2. (a) District administration is the most important unit in governance. Most of the Central
and State Government schemes and programmes are directed towards the district
administration. In this context, discuss the challenges and problems posed to the
district administration.
(b) The structural part of the Constitution of India is to a large extent derived from the
Government of India Act, 1935, whereas its philosophical part has many other sources.
Discuss the sources of the philosophical part.
(c) The public services in India are an evolution of the British Raj. Trace the Indianization
of the services.
3. (a) Does the privatization of key public sector bodies augur well for welfarisin in India?
Discuss with suitable illustrations.
(b) The spirit of democratic values requires that the independence of judiciary remains
absolute. It is high time that the All India Judicial Service (AIJS) was create(d) Elaborate.
(c) To strengthen the Election Commission of India and its commissioners is the need of
the hour. Suggest measures to make it more independent and impartial.
4. (a) Examine the National Health Policy in the context of the current pandomia situation,
Identify the problems and suggest improvements.
(b) The Speaker of the State Assembly has assumed a significant role in formations and
dissolutions of governmental. Examine under the circumstances of coalition
governments with examples.
(c) At the district level, police functions under the overall supervision and control of the
District Magistrate. Comment.
SECTION-B
(a) Political neutrality of civil servants has been regarded as one of the cardinal principles
in democratic governments. Is its sanctity being maintained in practice in India?
Elucidate.
(b) Budget is an indicator of financial health of a polity which is reflected in the statement
of income and expenditure. Discuss.
(c) Panchayati Raj Institutions are still plagued by State control and domination of
bureaucracy. Argue your case.
(d) Urban local governance is perpetually afflicted with lack of financial autonomy and
starvation of funds. Elaborate.
(e) There has been a long-standing demand for separation of police investigation from
prosecution. Analyze its merits and demerits.
6. (a) The office of the Comptroller and Auditor General of India stands on the pillar of
autonomy. Discuss the major lacunae in the functioning of this constitutional body
and also suggest measures for its strengthening.
Note:
(b) Implementation of administrative reforms is humongous and arduous. What lacks the
push to realize the changes?
(c) Immediate post-retirement appointments of high officers of government have become
a new tren(d) Discuss its pros and cons.
7. (a) Ward committees in urban local governance have remained more tigers. The ideal of
realizing effective people's participation in collaboration with local functionaries is still
in the pipeline. Evaluate the gap in the and practice.
(b) Police need to be made accountable and freed from the grip of politics. It is a big
challenge not only for law and order but also for the development of the country.
Critically examine.
(c) Civil servants are trained to follow rules and procedures so much that they become
bureaucracy. Do you agree? Justify.
8. (a) "There are adequate legal mechanisms to address corruption malpractices in
administration, but they have failed to curb the mean to any noticeable degree." In
the light of this statement, discuss the efficacy the institution of Lokayukta in Indian
States.
(b) Despite the constitutional provisions for representation, the weaker voice of sections
is not having the desired impact in the realms of Panchayati Raya Institutions. Critically
examine.
(c) Ideally citizen-administration interface is supposed to be based on trustworthiness
and purposefulness, in reality it is observed to be plagued by suspicion, conflicts,
stresses and strains. Do you agree? Elaborate.
2019
PAPER-1
SECTION-A
Answer the following in about 150 words each: 10 × 5 = 50 Marks
1. (a) “Public Administration is constantly being reinvented because it is contextual.”
Elaborate.
(b) “Bureau pathology denigrates competence in organization.” Explain.
(c) “If there is ever to be a science of Public Administration it must derive from an
understanding of man’s behavior”. Explain.
(d) “Chester Barnard in ‘The Function of the Executive’ injected ‘the social’ in the study of
organization. Explain in this context how the executive is expected to play a much
greater role than a manager.”
(e) “Delegated legislation has become a strategic tool in the hands of the executive despite
its utility.” Comment.
Note:
2. (a) “Governance is neither a paradigm nor a panacea for all the ills of government. It may
be a more useful approach when other methods fail in providing public service.”
Critically evaluate.
(b) With the entry of the concept of ‘good governance’ the discipline of Public
Administration has shed its statistical character. Explain.
(c) Has New Public Management failed in promoting a democratic polity? Analyze in the
contexts of individuals as a citizen and individuals as a customer.
3. (a) “Globalization has constructed the administrative state to save and serve corporate
power structure.” Discuss how transnational corporations impact government and
public administration in the contemporary er(a)
(b) “Red light and Green light theories provide contrasting approaches to the role of
administrative law.” Which of the two theories will be effective in achieving the
objectives of administration law? Justify your choice.
(c) “The advent of the regulatory regimes indicates the demise of the arbitrator state.”
Comment.
4. (a) Contingency theory of organization is founded on the interplay of ‘external fit’ and
‘internal fit’. Discuss.
(b) Mary Parker Follett traced the foundational value of business and enterprise on her
way to understand the organism of governmental machinery. Comment.
(c) “Media the Fourth estate is in chains.” Examine the statement in the context of
governmental accountability.
SECTION-B
Answer the following in about 150 words each: 10 × 5 = 50 Marks
5. (a) Contractualism has became a favorite policy of the neoliberal forces, but now without
its share of controversy. Argue.
(b) The failure to discard its elitist character and west-centric orientation has led to the
decline of Comparative Public Administration. Explain.
(c) “Maximum social gain” in public policy making is an attractive goal which is rarely
found in practices. Discuss.
(d) A narrow view of information comes in the way of successful implementation of MIS
in organization. Analyze.
(e) Has e-governance led to debureaucratization and decentralization? Assess its impact
on bureaucratic inerti(a)
6. (a) “Development dynamics is marked by a dilemma: the concept of development has a
built-in participatory orientation but the practice of development has been inherently
exclusionary.” Discuss.
(b) A more effective system of performance appraisal should acknowledge the subjective
elements in it and be less obsessed with the objective criteri(a) Elucidate.
(c) Is William Niskanen’s “Budget Maximising Model” relevant today? Argue.
Note:
7. (a) Performance measurement remains an emerging issue but it is relegated to exclusively

monitor and assess the use of funds. In light of the statement discuss various non-
financial parameters of performance measurement to evaluate public sector
organization.
(b) The imperatives of administrative ethics are necessarily an audile to “I was only
obeying the orders” argument by public official. Explain.
(c) Discuss the major areas of change in the Tax-Reforms of the post liberalisation er(a)
How do you justify the importance of the direct Tax reforms in this context?
8. (a) In a society marked by social inequity and gender inequality women self-help groups
are bound to play a marginal role. Do you agree? Give reasons for your answer.
(b) In the era of increasing stress on productivity, work study provides the road ahead for
the administration. Identify the positive attributes of work study in the light of the
statement.
(c) In the absence of a merit-based, fair and objective civil service a more partisan and
corrupt government will emerge. Is the statement justified? Give reasons.
2019
PAPER-2
SECTION -A
1. Answer the following in about 150 words each: 10 × 5 = 50 Marks
(a) In the text of Artha shastra, ‘the state is neither a police State nor merely a tax gathering
State’. Comment.
(b) The economic reforms have significantly infringed the basic values and spirits of the
Indian Constitution. Examine.
(c) Macaulay’s ideas on Indian Civil Service Corresponded to the elite theory of
bureaucracy, which continue to persist. Do you agree? Justify.
(c) There has been an opinion that the ethos of Indian Judicial System continues to be
colonial. Suggest measures for raising the level of judicial excellence for achieving
speedy justice.
(e) Various commissions have reiterated the crucial role of the Governor in Indian system
of governance, but the successive governments have not heeded to make Governor’s
office apolitical. Examine with example.
2. (a) Article 356 acts, “very much like the proverbial bolt from the blue…. without giving an
opportunity or notices to the State Government to correct its alleged shortcoming”.
This phenomenon not only undermines the autonomy of the State Government, but
also demeans the statue of the President of Indi(a) Critically analyze.
(b) Public Sector Undertaking were expected to take the Indian economy to the
“commanding heights” instead the successive governments have been pushing for
disinvestment. Critically examine how the scenario has changed over the years.
Note:
(c) Emerging developmental aspirations of the societynecessitatethe constitutional

amendment to change the present safeguards available to the civil servants. Evaluate
the pros and cons of such amendment.
3. (a) “Strong PMO is anti-thesis to the feature of collective responsibility of Council of
Ministers”. Examine the issues in relation to the position of PMO via-a-vis Council of
Ministers in the light of this statement.
(b) Capacity issues relating to employees have hampered the implementation of several
government programmes. Trace the reasons in the context of the provisions of the
National Training Policy, 2012.
(c) The strategy to deal with the non-performing assets of banks may lead to overburdened
taxpayers. Examine the role of government to protect the interests of both.
4. (a) Considerable attention has been paid to the restructuring of the administrative
systems at the Central and local levels, but very few reforms have been undertaken at
the State level. What steps would you suggest to rectify it?
(b) It is observed that the non-functioning of District Planning Committees is preventing
the convergence of rural and urban planning needs. Do you agree? Justify.
(c) The police-public interface is punctuated with distrust and fear. Suggest how the police
can reform their image in the eyes of the publi(c)
SECTION -B
5. Answer the following in about 150 words each: 10 × 5 = 50 Marks
(a) The evidence suggests that the dream of deliberative democracy could not be realized
in practice at the grassroot level. Evaluate the impediments in the functioning of Gram
Sabh(a)
(b) “The RTI has started its journey, but is far from its destination.” In the view of the
statement, examine the present status of the RTI movement.
(c) The concept of new localism arrangement may defeat the very purpose of local self-
governance. Do you agree? Justify.
(d) Effective ‘Performance Management System’ needs to precede ‘taking deadwood out’
from bureaucracy. Comment.
(e) All weather rural connectivity schemes to even unconnected rural habitations have
the potential to transform the rural economy. Do you agree? Justify.
6. (a) The office of the District Collector has merely become a bureau for funneling
government schemes, collecting statistics and an officer on attendance for unending
VIP duties. Critically examine its role in the light of the recommendations of the Second
Administrative Reforms Commission.
(b) Minimal accountability being the dominant norm in the political system, the Lokpal
can only be an ideal institution with limited effectiveness. Explain.
(c) ‘Sevottam Scheme’ had great potential to reform service delivery, but opportunity is
frittered away. Comment.
Note:
7. (a) The National Policy on Disaster Management envisages a paradigm shift from hitherto
reactive post-disaster relief centric regime to a more pro-active and enabling
environment. Examine the responses of State Governments in this regar(d)
(b) Efforts to strengthen State Finance Commissions have faced apathy of State
Governments over the years, which has also affected the successive Central Finance
Commissions in recommending appropriate fiscal transfers to local bodies. Substantiate
the answer with an example.
(c) Accountability of regulatory bodies would address the problem of over-regulators and
help make them truly facilitators. Analyze the present status of regulators and suggest
measures to induce accountability in the mechanism.
8. (a) ‘NITI Aayog’ has changed the way India strategized for economic development, but its
effectiveness is yet to be seen, especially when its financial powers are far less than its
predecessor. Analyze.
(b) Even though the law and order administration is a State subject, it is paradoxical that
the Central agencies- NIA or paramilitary forces under the Union Government-have
restricted the powers of State Governments. Discuss.
(c) Performance grants devolved by Finance Commission of India have increased the
financial accountability of the local bodies. Elaborate.
2018
PAPER-1
SECTION-A
1. Answer the following questions in about 150 words each:
(a) "The scope of the discipline of Public Administration is determined by what an
administrative system does." Does it mean that the scope of this discipline is
boundaryless? Explain.
(b) "The concepts of rationality and efficiency are intertwined in the bureaucratic analysis
of Max Weber." Comment.
(c) “New Public Service approach is an improvement over its predecessor, New Public
Management." Discuss.
(d) "A leader is a people's developer" (Napoleon). Which aspects of subordinates'
development can be positively influenced by a leader? Discuss.
(e) “Herbert Simon's book Administrative Behavior presents a synthesis of the classical
and behavioural approaches to the study of Public Administration." Explain.
2. (a) Dwight Waldo in his book, The Administrative State emphatically mentions that the
roots of administrative theory lie in political theory. Critically examine Waldo's
contention.
Note:
(b) “The Phenomenological Approach advocated by the New Public Administration has
obstructed the path of theory building in Public Administration." Comment.
(c) Discuss the essential characteristics of public sector-centered and market-centered
perspectives in Public Private Partnerships and also compare the two.
3. (a) Communication represents the “Nerves of Government" (Karl Deutsch). How can the
communication system in the government be made more effective, responsive and
motivational?
(b) "Political and administrative systems have reciprocal relationship.” Discuss.
(c) "An effective Management Information System (MIS) is the key to successful
headquarters-field relationships." Comment.
4. (a) “Form of an organisation influences the success of a public enterprise, but the choice
of a form has always remained problemati(c)" Discuss the statement in the context of
the comparative merits and limitations of departments, corporations, companies and
boards. Give illustrations.
(b) "Chester Barnard's model of 'Contribution-Satisfaction Equilibrium' is still considered
a logical model of organisational motivation." Do you agree? Give arguments.
(c) "The political approach to Public Administration stresses on the values of
representativeness, political responsiveness and accountability through elected
officials to the citizenry" (David H. Rosenbloom). Comment.
SECTION 'B'
(a) "The Journey of Administrative Law has moved much beyond (a) V. Dicey.” Comment.
(b) Edward Gibbon, the author of Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire remarked:
"Corruption, the most infallible symptom of Constitutional liberty." Critically examine
this statement.
(c) To what extent has e-governance made the administrative system more citizen-
oriented? Can it (e-governance) be made more participative?
(d) "The issue of development of women is closely related to the issue of women in
development." How can women become equal partners in the process of socio-
economic development?
(e) "The process of administrative development is generally slower than the economic
development." How can the speed of administrative development be made faster?
6. (a) In order to be development-oriented, bureaucracies need to be innovative, flexible,
citizen-centric and result-oriented, but they are slow in imbibing these virtues in a
democratic system. Do we need to go beyond the traditional models of bureaucracy
and create alternative structures? Elaborate.
(b) “Administrative values have no value unless they are valued by all stakeholders of the
governance system." Comment.
(c) “Lateral entry is an antidote to the complacency in civil service.” Discuss.
Note:
7. (a) How does ethnocentrism impact development administration in achieving sustainable

goals? Argue with examples.
(b) “Monetary policy of a country can help or hinder its development process." Discuss.
(c) "Sound Performance Auditing is impossible without systematic Performance or
Outcome Budgeting." Explain the relationship between the two.
8. (a) "Administrative systems across the world can be understood only in their respective
historical and social contexts." Explain the statement giving examples.
(b) Currently, administrative training focuses more on improving efficiency than on
transforming the attitudes and behaviour of civil servants. What type of training would
you suggest to fill this gap? Elaborate.
(c) "A public policy without the active involvement of people in its formulation,
implementation and evaluation is only a facade." How can this anomaly be corrected?
2018
PAPER-2
SECTION-A
(a) “A government next-door is the government that matters most for the people.” Discuss
the statement with special reference to the values of local government.
(b) The philosophy of the Westminster model is at odds with the political culture of
Indi(a)” Critically analyse.
(c) “The attached offices and subordinate offices are integral to the functioning of the
Cabinet Secretariat.” Discuss.
(d) It is apprehended that lateral entry will lead to politicisation of bureaucracy. Do you
agree? Justify
(e) “Contracting out tasks without effective accountability mechanisms can be counter-
productive for effective service delivery." Comment.
2. (a) "The market-driven profitability concerns have shaken the foundation of the public
sector undertakings.” Do you agree? Give reasons.
(b) It is argued that the NITI Aayog has broken the edifice of planning into fragments.
Comment.
(c) “Autonomy of civil society is crucial for responsive and effective administration.”
Examine the statement
3. (a) Critically examine the criteria adopted by the 15th Finance Commission for allocation
of resources to States. What have been the major issues of contention since the 10th
Finance Commission?
(b) “In the coalition era with elusive majority of a single party in the State Legislature, the
role of the Governor becomes even more challenging." Discuss.
Note:
(c) “Development management advocates self-sustaining customer-friendly institutions

at the district level.” Comment.
4. (a) Climate change issues pose new challenges for district administration to be proactive.”
Elaborate
(b) “Judicial overreach to a large extent is a consequence of ineffective executive.”
Examine.
(c) "In the transition from the State-led economy to the market economy, India should
rely more on 'indicative planning'.” Do you agree? Explain your position.
SECTION-B
(a) “The 'enablers' and 'facilitators' are yet to replace the inspectors' and “controllers' in
the civil service in Indi(a) Do you agree? Justify.
(b) “Financial inclusion needs legal backing but it also requires increasing awareness for it
to become a reality.” Discuss
(c) "Gender budgeting requires rethinking beyond allocations to become a powerful tool
of gender mainstreaming." Discuss.
(d) "Social audit has lent a critical edge to the implementation of programmes such as
MGNREG(a)" Comment.
(e) "The AFSPA debate reveals that the Indian paramilitary forces are caught between the
imperatives of national security and protection of human rights.” Discuss.
6. (a) "Competency mapping is important for effective allocation of responsibilities to
administrators.” Do you think that a generalist administrator can handle all issues as
effectively as a specialist Discuss.
(b) “The recommendations of various commissions on administrative reforms have not
made a radical departure from the Paul Appleby Report.” Do you agree? Give reasons.
(c) "Performance management requires identification of indicators and measures to
ensure that goals are achieved efficiently." Discuss.
7. (a) “Rural development programmes have failed to effectively address the problems of
small and marginal farmers.” Analyse and give suggestions.
(b) “In the Network Era the TRAI has the challenging task of protecting the Net Neutrality
from digital aggression.” Comment.
(c) “Neighbourhood management provides an appropriate global strategy of dealing with
social exclusion in the urban development scenario." Comment.
8. (a) "Effective public grievance redressal requires administrative commitment. But process
reengineering can help prevent some grievances.” Discuss.
(b) “Institutional change is a necessary but not a sufficient condition for reducing
criminalisation of politics." Examine.
(c) "The disempowerment and depoliticisation of urban local government has happened
in multiple ways.” Comment.
Note:
2017
PAPER-1
SECTION-A
(a) Even after 130 years of its publication, Woodrow Wilson’s essay “The Study of
Administration” continues to have great relevance even today.” Comment
(b) “What is distinctive about the Classic al and Human Relations Schools of thought
administration is their complementarity to each other “. Analyse
(c) “Conflict is the appearance of differences –the difference of opinions and of interest”.
(Mary Parker Follet). Comment
(d) “Leaders do the right things; managers do them rightfully” – (Warren Bennis). Is this
distinction by him valid? Explain.
(e) “Administrative Law is recognized by its substance rather than its form .” Discuss.
2. (a) New Public Management has been branded by certain scholars as ‘Neo-Taylorism’. Is
it a justified comparison? What factors led to the decline of NPM as soon after its
birth?
(b) “Abraham Maslow’s ‘Hierarchy of Needs’ and Frederick Herzberg’s “Two Factor
Theory” have commonalities in the analysis of human motivation.” Comment
(c) Civil Society supplements and complements the State. However, its capacity and role
depend upon the will of the State. Comment
3. (a) The Participative Management School of Argyris and Likert advocates democracy
within the administrative system. Will this approach be equally useful to developing
countries with evolving democracies?
(b) “Executive position implies a complex morality and requires a high capacity of
responsibility” – (Chester Bernand). Comment.
(c) When the media is controlled by vested interests, how can it control the vested
interests in the government? How can the media become more responsible and
impartial?
4. (a) “With every major transformation in the applied world of Public Administration, the
study of Public Administration has grown in scope and intensity.” Discuss the
relationship between the evolution of the discipline and profession of Public
Administration.
(b) “Systems Theory” in essence is not a theory, but an approach to the study of
administrative phenomen(a)” Comment.
(c) The principle of delegated legislation is, I think right, but I was emphasise that it is well
for Parliament to keep a watchful and even zealous eye on it at all stages “- (Herbert
Morrison) Analyze.
Note:
SECTION B
(a) “Budgeting is a political process” – (Aaron Wildavsky)
(b) “Development Administration and Administrative Development have a chicken and
egg kind of relationship”. -(Riggs). Elaborate
(c) “Digitalization provides great impetus to E-governance.” Discuss
(d) “360-degree performance appraisal system is a rational idea, but it involves complex
and inauthentic procedures”. How can it be made foolproof?
(e) “A large public debt forces the adoption of tax and spending policies that result in
higher taxes and reduced services.” Analyze.
6. (a) “Liberalization, Privatization and Globalization have transformed the nature of
development administration.” Discuss.
(b) ” Lateral entry of competent experts into the government will promote freshness and
innovation, but it can create problems of accountability.”
(c) “There can be no performance auditing without performance budgeting “.
7. (a) “The Riggsian models of Fusion –Prismatic-Diffracted Societies and their administrative
systems have been inspired by Max Weber’s typology of Traditional Charismatic Legal-
Rational Authorities.” Analyze
(b) “Bureaucracy has inbuilt limitations to act as the prime catalyst to multi-faceted
development in a democratic country”. Analyze this statement with appropriate
examples.
(c) Can we say that statutory audit and social audit are two sides of the same coin? Or are
they separate coins with varying values?
8. (a) “Various components of Human Resource Management are inter-relate(d)” Discuss.
(b) “Administrative ethics includes the code of conduct of civil servants, but goes beyond
it as well.” Discuss.
(c) “Off all the processes involved in public policy, implementation is of greatest
importance. "Examine the impediments in policy implementation”.
2017
PAPER-2
SECTION A
(a) “Constitutionalism is the foundation of the administrative edifice in Indi(a)” Discuss
(b) “The status and functioning of the Cabinet Secretariat face a stiff challenge from the
Prime Minister’s Office (PMO).” Argue both in favour and against the contention.
(c) “Effectiveness of local self-government institutions is hampered due to the lack of
capacity building of the elected representatives.” Elaborate
Note:
(d) “Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) in India face tough competition from the private
enterprises and Multi-National Corporations (MNCs).” Explain
(e) Do you agree that “All India Judicial Service (AIJS) would contribute to timely delivery
of justice to the citizens? Argue your case.
2. (a) “The market reforms have not infringed the basic structure of the Constitution of
India, but have largely compromised the realization of the ideals of social and economic
justice.” Comment.
(b) “The idea of lateral entry into the Civil Services would energies Indian administration.”
What are its possible advantages and limitations?
(c) “Pro-Active Governance and Timely implementation (PRAGATI) is an innovative project
of the Union Government.” Discuss its features and modalities.
3. (a) “The position of council of ministers in a state is reduced to that of a body of a
secretaries in the presence of a domineering of chief minister.” Critically analyse with
examples.
(b) “Indianisation of Public Services is a slow but steady process.” Explain.
(c) ”Digitalization of land records is a necessary but not sufficient precondition for
ensuring transparent district administration.” Explain.
4. (a) “Bureaucracy has to make a balance the need for environmental sustainability and
developmental imperatives.” Discuss.
(b) “The chief secretary is often termed as the alter ego of the Chief Minister.” Discuss,
with examples, the dynamics of their relationship in State administration.
(c) ’District Planning Committee (DPC) has been the weakest structure in the local self-
government mechanism in Indi(a)” Analyze with examples.
SECTION B
(a) “The institution of Gram Sabha has very little connection with the Gandhian spirit of
direct democracy.” Critically examine.
(b) “There is a need for greater inclusion of technocrats in bureaucracy to ensure effective
governance in Indi(a)” Do you agree” Elucidate.
(c) “Civil servants should avoid airing grievances in the medi(a)” In the context, discuss
the grievance redressal mechanisms available to the Civil Servants in Indi(a)
(d) Do you think that the Public Service Guarantee Act passed by various State Governments
is an extension to the Citizen Charter? Give reasons.
(e) “The office of the Controller General of Accounts (CGA) is expected to strengthen
public financial management in Indi(a)“ Discuss its mandate.
6. (a) “The Prime Ministers awards for Excellence in Public Administration encourage good
governance initiatives.” Discuss some such initiatives by the Civil Servants in this
context.
Note:
(b) “Implementation of Goods and Services Tax (GST) has led to a paradigm shift in the
Centre-State relations, both financially and politically.” Analyze with examples.
(c) “The Right to Information (RTI) has started its journey but is far from its destination.”
Comment.
7. (a) “Disaster preparedness and management has become an important component of
district administration in Indi(a)” Discuss with suitable illustrations.
(b) In view of the contemporary internal scenario should “law and order” be made a part
of the Concurrent List of the Constitution of India? Justify your opinion.
(c) “The image of Indian Police can be improved if its structure and orientations are
transformed radically.” Do you agree? Elaborate.
8. (a) Discuss, with sustainable examples, the emerging challenges faced by the Regulatory
Commission as to the arbitrary agents between the State and the market forces.
(b) “The ‘policy of non-action’ regarding the institutional mechanisms and legal provisions
to eradicate corruption is a feature of Indian Administration.” Critically examine.
(c) “The Second Administrative Reform Commission (ARC) makes a strong case for the
principle of subsidiary.” Elaborate.
Note:

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Drishti IAS

Previous Year Questions

Karol Bagh Branch

7. (a) Performance measurement remains an emerging issue but it is relegated to exclusively

(c) Emerging developmental aspirations of the societynecessitatethe constitutional

7. (a) How does ethnocentrism impact development administration in achieving sustainable

(c) “Development management advocates self-sustaining customer-friendly institutions

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