The UPSC (Union Public Service Commission) mains examination is a crucial step in the civil services recruitment process in India, and one of the optional subjects available to candidates is Public Administration. The previous year’s question papers for Public Administration optional provide valuable insights for aspiring civil servants. These papers serve as a comprehensive resource for candidates to understand the exam pattern, question types, and the depth of knowledge required for success. By studying previous year papers, candidates can gain a better understanding of the specific topics and areas that UPSC frequently tests. This information helps candidates in tailoring their preparation strategy, focusing on high-yield areas, and improving their time management skills during the mains examination.
Furthermore, analyzing previous year papers for Public Administration optional allows candidates to gauge the evolving nature of questions and anticipate potential trends in the examination. It is essential for aspirants to practice answering questions from these papers to enhance their problem-solving and writing skills. Additionally, the past year’s papers also help candidates in self-assessment and identifying their weak areas, enabling them to work on those areas to improve their overall performance in the UPSC mains examination. In conclusion, the UPSC mains Public Administration optional previous year papers are an indispensable resource for candidates seeking to crack the civil services examination, as they offer valuable guidance and a clear roadmap for success in this highly competitive arena.
Question Paper Specific Instructions
- Please read each of the following instructions carefully before attempting questions :
- There are EIGHT questions divided in two SECTIONS and printed both in HINDI and in ENGLISH.
- Candidate has to attempt FIVE questions in all.
- Questions no. 1 and 5 are compulsory and out of the remaining, THREE are to be attempted choosing at least ONE from each section.
- The number of marks carried by a question / part is indicated against it.
- Answers must be written in the medium authorized in the Admission Certificate which must be stated clearly on the cover of this Question-cum-Answer (QCA) Booklet in the space provided. No marks will be given for answers written in a medium other than the authorized one.
- Word limit in questions, wherever specified, should be adhered to.
- Illustrate your answers with suitable sketches, maps and diagrams. These shall be drawn in the space provided for answering the question itself.
- Attempts of questions shall be counted in chronological order. Unless struck off, attempt of a question shall be counted even if attempted partly. Any page or portion of the page left blank in the answer book must be clearly struck off.
Public Administration Optional Question Paper-1 (2014)
SECTION – A
1. Write short answers to the following in about 150 words each : 10×5=50 marks
(a) What are the implications of the post-structuralist perspective on the discrete aspects of Public Administration, coming from its epistemological positions?
(b) “Adaptive, problem-solving, temporary systems of diverse specialists, linked together by coordinating executives in an organic flux-this is original form that will gradually replace bureaucracy”. Discuss, in the light of this statement, the ‘end of bureaucracy’ thesis and its strengths and limitations.
(c) “Karl Marx’s interpretation of bureaucracy was rooted in the history of the nature of the State”. Evaluate.
(d) “The conceptual division between administrative and constitutional law is quite porous, and that along many dimensions, more constitutional in character than the constitutions.” How would you justify the statement?
(e) Is Peter Drucker justified in saying, “Management principles should not tell us what to do, but only tell us what not to do”? Comment.
2. (a) “Governance theory and the notion of governmentality have many points of convergence, but they run on parallel lines.” Comment.
(b) “Taylor’s ideas need modification in the context of post-industrial economies in contemporary era.” Justify with reasons.
(c) How does the Strategic Contingencies Theory of organizational design deal with problems arising from sub-unit centrality and non-substitutability?
3. (a) According to McGregor, “true professional help is not in playing God with the client, but in placing professional Knowledge and skills at the client’s disposal.” In the light of above, justify how theory-Y is indicative and not prescriptive.
(b) “The notion of informal organisation is a residual or cafeteria concept of diverse and sprawling contents.” How does Gouldner established the need for understanding the interdigitations between the formal and informal organisation?
(c) “The right to information is not all about citizens empowerment, it essentially redefines the concept of accountability.” Discuss.
4. (a) “New public management and post new public management reforms initiatives ever affected the balance between managerial, political, administrative, legal, professional and social accountability.” Analyse.
(b) “Delegation to independent agencies has taken place in an interdependent progress driven by emulation.” Discuss in the context of independent regulatory agencies in the modern regulatory State.
(c) “Voluntary organizations have become tools of sensitization of governmental agencies.” Comment.
SECTION – B
5. Answer the following questions in about 150 words each: –
(a) Critically examine the Riggsian concept of differentiation in context of post-globalisation era.
(b) “The term Development Administration can be used only in a broad sense to mark the variety of approaches and point of view.” Discuss.
(c) “The bottom line for governance outcome rather than the outputs of government.” Analyse in context of e-government and e-governance.
(d) “Policies determine politics as governments constrain.” Attempt a critique of this statement.
(e) “Instead of reforms to budgetary process Wildavsky proposes to redefine the role of political institutions and rules by which politics leads to agreement on budget.” Explain.
2. (a) “The fact that we call something performance auditing means that we imply salient features which can distinguish it from other forms of enquiry.” Discuss with refence to the main measures or indicators of performance measurement.
(b) “The output studies approach to public policy analyses ovestresses the rational techniques and allocative dimension of public policy.” Analyse the statement.
(c) “The field of MIS is not necessarily an extension of computer science, but of management and organisation theory.” Elucidate.
3. (a) “The technical and multidisciplinary nature of e-governance has created an interdependent relationship within government between policymakers, program administrators and technical specialists.” Analyse in context of generalist – specialist relationship.
(b) “Self – help groups have not only empowered women, but have also brought about attitudinal change among all stakeholders towards women development.” Discuss.
(c) “Many Asian and African countries have inherited the colonial idea of civil service as a privileged elite. Hence, the social status of the civil services is an important aspect of the bureaucracy’s unsuitability for change.” Comment.
4. (a) Identify the main elements of program budgeting, output budgeting and new performance budgeting. What do they have in common with PPBS?
(b) According to Y. Dror, “The Science of Mudding through is essentially a reinforcement of pro inertia and anti-innovation ideas in policy-making.” Comment.
(c) “British philosophy of Administration is based on a unification of science of Administration with ethics.” Analyze.
Public Administration Optional Question Paper-2 (2014)
SECTION – A
1. Write short answers to the following in about 150 words each : 10×5=50 marks
(a) Ethics in public services has been the central concern of Kautilya’s Arthashastra.” Critically examine the statement.
(b) Discuss the valuable premise of constitutionalism in India which the bureaucracy cannot violate.
(c) The functional role of Prime Minister’s office (PMO) depends on the Prime Minister’s policy orientation, personality and style of administration. Comment on the statement with suitable examples.
(d) Despite the adoption of decentralised planning, participatory initiative remain marginalised and divisive live in many regions. Discuss.
(e) “The Centre State relations have acquired new dimensions in recent times due to several political parties being in power at the Centre and the States.” (Second administrative, commission). Do you agree? Give reasons to support your arguments.
2. (a) “Public sector undertakings must learn to survive and be entrepreneurial, without assured government budgetary support.” In the light of the statement give your suggestions for strengthening their autonomy and reviving the health of sick Public Sector Undertakings.
(b) “Indian administration is said to be characterised by its three features viz. Weberian structures, Kautilyan practice and Gandhian rhetoric.” Examine the statement.
(c) “District collector is a legacy of the British Raj and has largely remained insulated from the demands of contemporary professionalism.” Discuss.
3. (a) “Gender responsive budgeting has infused greater accountability of planning departments towards women empowerment programs.” Examine the statement.
(b) “The gubernatorial position of the Governor is comfortably placed in the fuzzy area between ‘Withdrawal of the pleasure of the President’ and ‘Compelling reasons for removal’.” Discuss with some recent examples.
(c) “Beneath the soft outer shell of democratic administrative framework lies unscathed the steel frame of Indian administration which has survived through ages.” In the light of this statement, examine the relationship between bureaucracy and development in the last one decade.
4. (a) “Management of intragovernmental relations is as important as that of intragovernmental relations.” Examine its impact upon the performance of the government.
(b) How far do you agree with the view that national development Council could resonate the demands of the state governments as long as planning commission is kept subservient to it? Critically examine.
(c) Critically examine the statement: ‘Thana’ (police station) as the last bastion of the waning British administrative legacy in India.
SECTION – B
5. Write short answers to the following in about 150 words each : 10×5=50 marks
(a) Discuss the changes in the powers of Controller and Auditor General (CAG) of India, following a recent Supreme Court judgement concerning a private service provider.
(b) Parliamentary committees bring about accountability and public expenditure. Discuss.
(c) Do you think that the role of Panchayati Raj should go beyond development Adminis-tration? Give reasons for your answer.
(d) “Police – public relations are a story of insincere efforts made on both sides.” Elaborate.
(e) “From coalition government to one-party dominance is a big change that is bound to affect the governmental system.” Explain why and how.
6. (a) Assess the role of honest and upright civil servants in regulatory and development administration in India. Give examples to substantiate your arguments.
(b) “Social auditing of flagship programmes of the Central government facilitates the performance of the Comptroller and Auditor-General.” Elaborate the state-men with appropriate examples.
(c) Explain the notion of one hundred ‘smart cities’ and its likely impact on India’s urbanization.
7. (a) Elaborate the features of the grievance redressal mechanism of the civil services in India. Does this mechanism satisfy the objectives of its creation?
(b) The 13th Finance Commission highlighted an indispensable need to improve the finances of rural and urban level bodies. Does this make local bodies more accountable in the discharge of their functions?
(c) “Unimplemented reforms in administration weaken the administrative reforms process most.” Do you agree? Give your answer citing specific cases as illustrations.
8. (a) Discuss the need for civil service neutrality in development administration. Suggest some measures for achieving and strengthening it in practice.
(b) Supreme Court ruling on 31st October, 2013 in respect of bureaucracy’s functioning would help achieve good governance. Analyze this ruling and add your comments on it.
(c) Do you think that the Central para-military police forces have proven more effective than the State police service? Give your answer objectively in a critical vein.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: What is the significance of studying UPSC mains Public Administration optional previous year papers?
Answer: Studying previous year papers helps candidates understand the exam pattern, question types, and important topics. It provides insight into what UPSC typically asks in the Public Administration optional paper and aids in effective preparation.
Q: Where can I access UPSC mains Public Administration optional previous year papers?
Answer: UPSC’s official website often provides access to previous year question papers. Additionally, there are various online platforms, coaching institutes, and books that compile and provide these papers for aspirants.
Q: How can I effectively use previous year papers for Public Administration optional preparation?
Answer: Candidates can use previous year papers for practice and self-assessment. Start by solving questions to test your knowledge and writing skills. Analyze your performance, identify weak areas, and work on improving them. Additionally, use them for time management practice and to get a feel for the actual exam.
Q: Are there any noticeable trends or changes in the UPSC mains Public Administration optional papers over the years?
Answer: Yes, there have been changes and trends in the types of questions and topics covered in the Public Administration optional papers. Analyzing previous year papers can help candidates identify these trends and adapt their preparation accordingly.
Q: Can studying previous year papers alone guarantee success in the UPSC mains Public Administration optional paper?
Answer: While studying previous year papers is crucial for preparation, it should be part of a comprehensive strategy. Candidates should also focus on building a strong understanding of the subject, practice answer writing, and keep up with current affairs related to Public Administration to increase their chances of success in the exam.
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