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 (2020)
SECTION – A
1. Write short answers to the following in about 150 words each : 10×5=50 marks
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
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 performed.” 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
5. Answer the following:
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.
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 governmental system? Argue.
Public Administration Optional Question Paper-2 (2020)
SECTION – A
1. Write short answers to the following in about 150 words each : 10×5=50 marks
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 India.
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 created. 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
5. Answer the following:
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.
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 trend. 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.
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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