UPSC IAS Mains Public Administration Solved Exam Paper - 2014 (Paper -II)

PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION Online Course

UPSC IAS Mains Public Administration Solved Exam Paper - 2014

Paper - II

Time Allowed: Three Hours

Maximum Marks: 250

SECTION A

Q1. Attempt the following in about 150 words each: 10x5=50

(a) "Ethics in public services has been the central concern of Kautilya's Arthashastra." Critically examine the statement. 10 (for Answer Join Public Administration Online Coaching)
(b) Discuss the value premises of Constitutionalism in India which the bureaucracy cannot violate. 10 (for Answer Join Public Administration Online Coaching)
(c) The functional role of the 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. 10 (for Answer Join Public Administration Online Coaching)
(d) Despite the adoption of decentralized planning, participatory initiatives remain marginalized and divisive in many regions. Discuss.20 (for Answer Join Public Administration Online Coaching)
(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 Reforms Commission). Do you agree? Give reasons to support your arguments. 10 (for Answer Join Public Administration Online Coaching)

Q2.

(a) "Public Sector Undertakings must learn to survive and be entrepreneurial without assured government budgetary support." In the light of this statement give your suggestions for strengthening their autonomy and reviving the health of sick Public Sector Undertakings. 20
(b) "Indian administration is said to be characterised by its three features viz. Weberian structures, Kautilyan practice and Gandhian rhetoric." Examine the statement. 20
(c) "District Collector is a legacy of the British Raj and has largely remained insulated from the demands of contemporary professionalism." Discuss. 10

Answer:

Since the days of liberalization in 1990’s the role of PSU has drastically changed in Indian economy. Earlier they were the main tool for regional aspiration, industrial growth , human resource development, etc. But with LPG reforms, private players have given almost equal parity with public sector. Government of India has taken many steps in regard to proper restructuring of PSUs :

1. PSUs are given status of Maharatna, Navratna and Mini Ratna according to their performance and have full autonomy in their day to day working and greater autonomy in policy decisions.
2. Sick companies are referred to BIFR for final decision.
3. Signing of Memorandum of Understanding between ministries and company to provide more functional autonomy and competitiveness.
4. Strategic Disinvestment for the improvement of efficiency of the PSU.
5. Last but not the least, introduction of VRS( Voluntary Retirement Scheme).

But all the steps above are half hearted, some more needs to be taken :-

1. Introduction of managerial practices like citizen charter, TQM, etc in the PSU.
2. Inclusion of competitive and private budgetary practices.
3. Professional code of conduct for improving entrepreneurial skills.
4. Autonomy to diversify the production and manufacturing.
5. Collaboration and mutual transfer of employees with big ventures for better training and development.
6. More autonomy to raise funds and agreements from international market.

(b) "Indian administration is said to be characterised by its three features viz. Weberian structures, Kautilyan practice and Gandhian rhetoric." Examine the statement. 20

Indian administration is highly influenced by Weberian structures (Professional outlook), Kautilyan practice (Centralized and Welfare overtone) and Gandhian rhetoric (Moral values) :-

1. Weberian structure:-

a. Indian bureaucracy is rational-legal in character.
b. Bureaucrats are selected solely on the basis of merit.
c. Civil services as career
d. Proper hierarchy
e. Written communication
f. Distinction between private and public ends.
g. Orders are impersonal.

2. Kautilyan practice:-

a. India is a welfare state and happiness of citizen comes first.
b. In international relation, Kautilya’s Mandal theory can be seen - India have not friendly relations with Pakistan and China on the one side and on the other hand friendly relation with Iran, Afghanistan and Russia.
c. Like Kautilyan administration present Indian administration has well developed intelligence and foreign services.

3. Gandhian rhetoric :-

a. In pursuance of Gandhian peace, India was the founding member of NAM, United Nation etc.
b. India follows principle of Panchseel based on truth and non-violence of Gandhi.
c. 73rd and 74th constitutional amendment gave due importance to local self government as propounded by Gandhi.

(c) "District Collector is a legacy of the British Raj and has largely remained insulated from the demands of contemporary professionalism." Discuss. 10

After Independence there was regular debate on the future of bureaucratic structure and post of District Collector. With Sardar Patel’s arguement and favour India decided to continue this institution. Although post of district collector was British experiment in India but it played a decisive role in developing India.

1. It strengthened government administration.
2. It provided expert knowledge at all levels of government.
3. It played a major role in developmental schemes.
4. It also played in major role in implementing social legislations.
5.Last but not the least it played major role in the area of law and order & revenue collection.

But this has several colonial British Raj features unwanted for a welfare state :-

1. Elite Thinking: District collector considers themselves master of the hoi polloi, not to serve them.
2. Top down approach of development: The developmental approach of district collector is top down make it less participatory against the basic norms of democracy.
3. Parochial in Outlook : District collector failed to involve all stakeholders in the grass root work.
4. Rigid structure: The structure and machinery is rigid in the name of uniformity.

With fast changing time and technology this approach of development and administration has become redundant.There is a need for some changes to make it more welfare oriented and democratic :-

1. Participatory approach to include all stakeholders in decision making.
2. More power to elected representatives is true spirit of democracy
3. Flattened organization for the promotion of decentralization
4. Use of technology in governance
5. Localized approach in development and governance
6. Stress on transparency and accountability.

Q3.

(a) "Gender Response Budgeting has infused greater accountability of planning departments towards women empowerment programmes." Examine the statement. 20 (for Answer Join Public Administration Online Coaching)
(b) "The gubernatorial position of the Governor is comfortably placed in the fuzzy area between 'Withdrawal of pleasure of the President' and `Compelling reasons for removal'." Discuss with some recent examples. 20 (for Answer Join Public Administration Online Coaching)
(c) "Beneath the soft outer shell of democratic administrative framework lies unscathed the steel frame of Indian administration which has survived through the ages." In the light of this statement, examine the relationship between- bureaucracy and development in the last one decade. (for Answer Join Public Administration Online Coaching)

Q4.

(a) "Management of intra-governmental relations is as important as that of inter-governmental relations." Examine its impact upon the performance of the government. 20 (for Answer Join Public Administration Online Coaching)
(b) How far do you agree with the view that the National Development Council (NDC) could resonate the demands of State governments as long as the PlanningCommission is kept subservient to it? Critically examine. 20 (for Answer Join Public Administration Online Coaching)
(c) Critically examine the statement: ‘Thana’ (Police Station) as the last bastion of the waning British administrative legacy in India. (for Answer Join Public Administration Online Coaching)

SECTION B

Q5. Attempt the following in about 150 words each: 10x5=50

(a) Discuss the changes in the powers of the Comptroller and Auditor-General of India (CAG) following a recent Supreme Court judgement in a case concerning a private service provider.10 (for Answer Join Public Administration Online Coaching)
(b) Parliamentary Committees bring about accountability in public expenditure. Discuss. 10 (for Answer Join Public Administration Online Coaching)
(c) Do you think that the role of Panchayati Raj should go beyond development administration? Give reasons for your answer. 10 (for Answer Join Public Administration Online Coaching)
(d) "Police-Public relations are a story of insincere efforts made on both sides." Elaborate. 10 (for Answer Join Public Administration Online Coaching)
(e) "From coalition government to one-party dominance is a big change that is bound to affect the governmental system." Explain why and how. 10 (for Answer Join Public Administration Online Coaching)

Q6.

(a) Assess the role of honest and upright civil servants in regulatory and development administration in India. Give examples to substantiate your arguments. 20 (for Answer Join Public Administration Online Coaching)
(b) "Social auditing of flagship programmes of the Central government facilitates the performance of the Comptroller and Auditor-General." Elaborate the statement with appropriate examples. 20 (for Answer Join Public Administration Online Coaching)
(c) Explain the notion of one hundred 'smart cities' and its likely impact on India's Urbanization. 10 (for Answer Join Public Administration Online Coaching)

Q7.

(a) Elaborate the features of the grievance redressal mechanism of the civil services in India. Does this mechanism satisfy the objectives of its creation? 10 (for Answer Join Public Administration Online Coaching)
(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? 20 (for Answer Join Public Administration Online Coaching)
(c) "Unimplemented reforms in administration weaken the administrative reforms process most." Do you agree? Give your answer citing specific cases as illustrations. 20 (for Answer Join Public Administration Online Coaching)

Q8.

(a) Discuss the need for civil service neutrality in development administration. Suggest some measures for achieving and strengthening it in practice. 20 (for Answer Join Public Administration Online Coaching)
(b) Supreme Court ruling on 31st October, 2013 in respect of bureaucracy's functioning would help achieve good governance. Analyse this ruling and add your comments on it. 20 (for Answer Join Public Administration Online Coaching)
(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. 10 (for Answer Join Public Administration Online Coaching)