Embarking on the challenging journey of UPSC Mains preparation requires a comprehensive understanding of the diverse topics covered in the examination. One such critical area is the Public Administration optional, specifically focusing on the Union Government and Administration. Aspirants diving into this field must navigate through the intricacies of governance structures, administrative processes, and policy implementations at the national level. To aid in this rigorous preparation, it becomes indispensable to delve into the previous year’s questions from 2013 to 2023. These questions serve as invaluable tools, providing insights into the evolving trends, pattern changes, and the depth of knowledge expected by the UPSC examiners. In this blog series, we aim to unravel the layers of the Public Administration optional with a meticulous analysis of the Union Government and Administration questions, offering aspiring civil servants a roadmap to navigate this vital aspect of the UPSC Mains examination.
The Public Administration optional has witnessed dynamic shifts in the past decade, necessitating a strategic approach to master the Union Government and Administration segment. By revisiting the questions posed in the previous years, candidates gain not only a nuanced understanding of the subject matter but also a glimpse into the examiner’s expectations. Each question serves as a puzzle piece, contributing to the larger picture of governance challenges and administrative intricacies at the national level. Through this blog series, we endeavor to decipher these puzzles, providing aspirants with a comprehensive toolkit to tackle the Union Government and Administration section with confidence. Join us on this exploration of the past decade’s UPSC Mains questions, and let’s unravel the complexities of Public Administration together.
Union Government and Administration – Public Administration – Previous Year Questions (UPSC CSE Mains Psychology Optional)
Executive
1. “Ordinance-making power of the Executive needs to be suitably restrained.” Examine it critically. (2015)
2. In the exercise of his/her functions, the President of India is a mere ‘Convenient working hypothesis’. Do you agree with this view? Justify your reasoning with illustrations. (2012)
3. “In an era of hung parliaments the power of the President expands, more so when the incumbent decides to be assertive.” Comment on the statement with reference to the situation in during the last two decades. (2010)
4. Does the emergence of an Empowered Group of Ministers at the Central level impair the doctrine of Cabinet responsibility? (2010)
5. “By taking some offices out of the jurisdiction of the Office of Profit Act, the Government of India has doubly assured the public mind of its duplicity.” Comment. (2006)
6. Indian prime Minister should not only be accountable to the Indian Parliament but should appear to be so.” Comment on the accountability of the Prime Minister to the Indian Parliament in the context of extra-constitutional power. (2006)
7. “Not the Potomac, but the Thames, fertilizes the flow of Yamuna”. In the light of the statement comment on the symbolic institution of the President of India. (2006)
8.“The veto-power of the Indian President is a combination of the absolute, suspensive and pocket veto.” Comment. (2005)
9. “Presidents of India prior to the passage of 42nd and 44th amendment could afford to be more assertive.” Comment. (2004)
10. “Looking back to our past experience, the fear that the emergency provisions can be misused have at times proved right and wrong at other times.” Discuss with examples. (2003)
11. “Despite all the powers that he has, the Indian Prime Minister cannot become a dictator.” Comment. (2003)
12. “The Prime Minister stands out as the most powerful authority even today.” Comment. (2001)
13. “Indian Constitution confers vast legislative powers on the President.” Comment. (2000)
14. “Though the dictatorship of the Cabinet is a stark reality in modern times, it does not mean that the Cabinet is omnipotent.” Comment. (2000)
15. “Art. 78 of the Constitution confers Executive Power on the President.” Comment. (1998)
16. “The essential purpose of Cabinet Committee is relieve the Cabinet of some burden of work.” Discuss. (1996)
17. “Rather than describing the Prime Minister’s position through phrases, it is better to examine how the office of the Prime Minister has actually evolved over time.” Explain. (1996)
18. “While discussing the President’s position in the Constitution, the model of the British monarch being impracticable and the model of the French Presidency having been ruled out, the compromise model had to fall back upon some such device as the German one.” Comment. (1995)
19. “The Cabinet is not a constitutional body.” Comment. (1994)
20. ‘The Cabinet Committees in the Union Government are a proven to it as staff agencies.’ Elucidate. (1991)
21. “Administrative talent of a Minister determined his success.” Comment. (2009)
Parliament
1. Parliamentary control over administration is no substitute for judicial control. Comment. (2022)
2. The role and status of the Speaker in parliamentary system have their foundation in the Speaker’s stance on neutrality. Comment. (2021)
3. Parliamentary committees are at the deliberative core of parliamentary work which is crucial for refining legislations. Elucidate. (2020)
4. Parliamentary committees bring about accountability and public expenditure. Discuss. (2014)
5. ‘Parliamentary Departmental Committees have played their role effectively in analysing the demands for grants.’ Evaluate. (2012)
6. ‘Parliament is an independent institution, not to be seen as an extension of government or of a party.’ Elaborate. (2012)
7. It is said that the image and influence of Indian Parliament have suffered a serious decline in recent years. How far do you agree with this view-point? (1999)
8. ‘The Parliamentary Control over administration is a misnomer……… It is like the blade at the top of the Guillotine, which need not fall to be Parliament gets improved, the desire to control by its members will abate.’ Comment. (1989)
9. “The judicial control over administration is no substitute for parliamentary control. Infact, they are supplementary but serve two different kinds of purposes.” Discuss. (1988)
Role of the Union govt. in inter- state river water disputes
1. Examine the role of central government in adjudication of disputes relating to water of interstate rivers. (2022)
Judiciary – structure, functions, work processes; Recent trends; Intragovernmental relations
1. “The Indian judicial system has failed to deliver justice expeditiously”. Examine the challenges faced by the judiciary and suggest measures to overcome them. (2022)
2. 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 created. Elaborate. (2020)
3. There has been an opinion that the ethos of Indian Judicial System continue to be colonial. Suggest measures for raising the level of judicial excellence for achieving speedy justice. (2019)
4. “Judicial overreach to a large extent is a consequence of ineffective executive.” Examine. (2018)
5. Do you think that ‘All India Judicial Service (AIJS) would contribute to timely delivery of justice to the citizens? Argue your case. (2017)
6. “The absence of congruence of views on appointments to judiciary between the Supreme Court and the Union Government has an adverse impact on the judicial system.” In the light of the above statement, examine the proposal to constitute an All India Judicial Service (AJIS). (2016)
7. “National Green Tribunal is viewed by many critics as a hindrance to economic development” Evaluate the statement and give arguments in support of your answer. (2016)
8. Discuss the arguments for and against the National Judicial Appointments Commission Act, 2014. (2015)
9. “Management of intragovernmental relations is as important as that of intergovernmental relations.” Examine its impact upon the performance of the government. (2014)
10. ‘Judges should not govern the country. They can lay down a law, not interfere with governance.’ Discuss. (2012)
11. “……… Judges and Courts have creatively reinterpreted their statutory authority and expanded their own power and enhanced their standing vis-a vis the legislature and executive.” Critically examine this assessment. (2010)
12. “Public Interest Litigation (OIL) has undergone several changes since its inception in 1980.” Comment. (2010)
Cabinet Secretariat
1. “The smooth transaction of business in Ministries and Departments depends on the role played by Cabinet Secretariat”. Discuss. (2022)
2. “The attached offices and subordinate offices are integral to the functioning of the Cabinet Secretariat.” Discuss. (2018)
3. “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. (2017)
4. Critically examine the variables in the composition and functioning of Cabinet Committees. (2012)
5. “The respective roles of the Cabinet Secretary of the Government of India and of the Chief Secretary of a State are similar in certain respects, and dissimilar in other.” Explain. (2009)
6. “The Cabinet Secretariat provides the eyes & ears for the Prime Minister to keep in touch with the process of official business in Central Government.” Comment. (2005)
7. “The leadership qualities of a civil servant are test most during his tenure as the Cabinet Secretary – a dream-post for every bureaucrat.” Elucidate. (2000)
8. “The efficiency of the Cabinet depends to a large extent on the Cabinet Secretariat “Elucidate. (1997)
9. ‘The cabinet secretariat in India as an innovation in the central administration has been emulated from the British experience. Its fortunes have changed with the vicissitudes of the Prime Minister.’ Review the working of the Cabinet Secretariat since its inception in the light of the above statement. (1990)
10. “Cabinet Secretarial the Prime Minister’s Secretarial in India have Common but dissimilar staff, functions.” Elucidate. (1988)
Prime Minister’s Office
1. 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. (2021)
2. “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 vis-a vis council of Ministers in light of this statement. (2019)
3. “Dominant centralized administration is correlated with decisive and authoritative leadership provided by the Prime Minister’s Office.” Explain with suitable examples since independence. (2016)
4. 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. (2014)
5. Discuss the evolution of the role of the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) since independence. (2011)
6. “A strong PMO is a salvation for any Indian Prime Minister, but concentration of power is a danger to democracy.” Comment. (2005)
7. “The rise of the Prime Minister’s Secretariat and the Cabinet Secretariat in India during the past three decades is an indication of the growing centralisation of policy and decisional authority in the positions of the Prime Minister.” Examine. (1999)
8. “The Prime Minister’s Office is a staff agency. Its line functions are inconsistent with the Secretariat Systems of administration.” Comment. (1993)
9. Examine the comparative roles of the Cabinet Secretariat and the Prime Minister’s Secretariat in the functioning of the Union and the Governments in India. Illustrate your answer. (1992)
10. ‘The Prime Minister’s Secretaria-the youngest of the Central Secretariat Organizations-has grown taller than the Cabinet Secretariat.’ Discuss this, analysing the role and influence of the Prime Minister’s Office on the Adminis-tration of the country. (1991)
Central Secretariat
1. “Central Secretariat is the nodal agency for administering the Union subjects and establishing coordination among the various activities of the government.” Discuss. (2013)
2. “The central secretariat is a policy formulating, co-ordinating and supervisory agency besides being the principal executive agency of the government.” Explain. (2002)
3. “The Central Secretariat is thus today encumbered with non-essential work and has, for a large part, become an unwisely and over-staffed organization.” Elucidate. (1999)
4. “The Secretariat system of work has lent balance, consistency and continuity to the administration and server as a nucleus for the total machinery of a ministry.” Explain. (1995)
5. “One weakness of the Gopalaswami plan was to identify a ministry with a minister’s charge.” Discuss, in this context, Gopalaswami Ayyangar’s recommendations regarding Secretariat organization. (1994)
6. Trace the evolution of Secretariat system in India during the British period of administrative history with special reference to the structure of central administration and its field organisations. (1988)
Ministries and Departments
1. What factors have led to the expansion of the role of the Ministry of Home Affairs? How can it coordinate its affairs more effectively with the Ministry of Defence? (2016)
2. Critically analyse the functions and role of Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment with regard to development of disabled persons in India. (2007)
3. What concrete steps have been taken by the Union and the State Govern-ments to protect child labour and prevent abuse of children? (2006)
4. What measures have been taken by the Union and the States for the welfare of women in the profession of sex? (2006)
5. Critically evaluate the policies of the Union Government. With regard to the welfare of women and children of India. (2006)
6. Explain the role and structure of the Ministry of Home Affairs of the Government of India. What are the challenges being faced by this Ministry? Give suggestions for enhancing the capacity of this organization to meet these challenges. (1998)
7. Critically examine the role of the Finance Ministry as the custodian of all public revenues. (1997)
8. Outline in brief the organisation and working of the Union Ministry of Finance and offer concrete suggestions for organisational reform in the light of the new economic policy of liberalisation of the Central Government. (1993)
9. Outline the organisation and working of the Ministry of Home Affairs in the Government of India & examine its role in the event of breakdown of constitutional machinery in a state. (1992)
10. Analyse the role and functions of the Ministry of Finance of the Government of India. What steps would you visualise to improve its performance of the function of financial management. Suggest measures to streamline its relationships with other Ministries? (1991)
11. Outline in brief the organisational structure and working of the Ministry of Finance or Ministry of Home of the Union Government of India and discuss the role, relationship and relevance of its field organisations. (1989)
Boards; Commissions; Attached Offices; Field organisations
1. “Finance Commission in India performs the job of statistics aggregation.” Comment. (2013)
2. “For national planning, the commission type of organisation was deliberately preferred.” Examine the statement. (1997)
3. ‘The recommendations of a Finance Commission, according to Constitutional provisions, do not constitute an award. These are recommendations…… the Finance Commission is an aid, and the executive may or mat not accept its recommendations considering their feasibility and desirability of implementation on objective considerations.’ Comment. (1990)
4. ‘It is high time that the distribution of Central Assistance Under Article 282 of Indian Constitution, (which is entirely or even mainly made on the basis of Semi-Judicial Awards of the Finance Commission) needs to be re-examined in all its implications.’ Why? (1989)
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: What are the key components of the Union Government and Administration as per the UPSC Mains syllabus?
This question delves into the fundamental elements that candidates need to focus on while preparing for the Public Administration optional. It could cover topics such as the structure of the Union Government, administrative processes, policy formulation, and implementation at the national level.
Q: How have the trends in Union Government and Administration questions evolved in recent UPSC Mains examinations?
Aspirants are often curious about the changing patterns and trends in question papers. Understanding the evolution of question types and emphasis areas over the years can provide valuable insights for a targeted and effective preparation strategy.
Q: What role do case studies play in the Union Government and Administration section of the Public Administration optional?
Case studies have become a significant component of UPSC Mains examinations. Exploring their role in the context of Union Government and Administration helps candidates grasp the practical application of theoretical knowledge and enhances their analytical skills.
Q: How can candidates effectively integrate current affairs into their preparation for Union Government and Administration in Public Administration optional?
Given the dynamic nature of governance and administration, staying updated with current affairs is crucial. This question explores strategies for integrating current affairs into the preparation process and highlights the relevance of real-world events in the examination.
Q: What resources and study materials are recommended for mastering the Union Government and Administration section in Public Administration optional?
Aspirants often seek guidance on the most reliable and comprehensive resources for their preparation. This question addresses the recommended books, journals, online sources, and other study materials that can aid in mastering the Union Government and Administration segment of the Public Administration optional.
In case you still have your doubts, contact us on 9811333901.
For UPSC Prelims Resources, Click here
For Daily Updates and Study Material:
Join our Telegram Channel – Edukemy for IAS
- 1. Learn through Videos – here
- 2. Be Exam Ready by Practicing Daily MCQs – here
- 3. Daily Newsletter – Get all your Current Affairs Covered – here
- 4. Mains Answer Writing Practice – here
