Too faint for comfort? on GST collection 

Mains Paper 3: Economy 
Prelims level: GST 
Mains level: Government Budgeting

Introduction 

• Goods and services tax (GST) collections in the month of October crossed the ₹1 lakh crore mark, with total collections for the month standing at ₹1,00,710 crore.
• This momentum, coming in the midst of a marginal increase in the total number of filings compared to September, is expected to be sustained in the coming months, supported by the festive season that is under way. 
• GST collections had crossed the comfort level of ₹1 lakh crore for the first time in April this year.
• The average GST revenue during 2017-18 was ₹89,885 crore. 
• The reduction in tax rates under GST in July seems to have helped improve compliance among small businesses, leading to an increase in overall tax collection. 
• It also helps to reduce the distortionary effect of indirect taxes. The increase in GST collections comes at a time when the Centre has been unable to control its spending in the run-up to the general election due by next summer. 
• According to data released last week, the government’s fiscal deficit reached 95.3% of its budgeted estimate by the first half of the year.

Reasons behind this tax increases 

• Direct tax collections too have increased over the past few years, reaching an all-time high of ₹10 lakh crore in 2017-18, helping to fund the deficit.
• The festive season too has failed to meet expectations as of now with many consumer-facing businesses reporting lacklustre sales. 
• Car sales reported by major companies until now, for instance, are flat.
• Various other economic indicators also have failed to impress in recent months. 
• Core sector growth dropped to a four-month low in September. 
• These growth-related factors will weigh negatively on tax collection in the coming months. 
• Apart from the general macroeconomic environment, there are specific implementation issues that plague the indirect tax system. 

Way forward 

• The export sector, for example, has been affected by undue delays in GST refunds worth thousands of crores of rupees. 
• The GST collection in October is also still significantly below the expectations of ₹1.10 lakh crore. 
• The current spurt may be simply owing to the festival season.
• It may also be too soon to say that GST collections are on a sustainable uptrend simply based on the October collections.
• Collections during the first six months of the current fiscal year fell short of target by over ₹22,000 crore despite record collections in April. 
• The government should continue the effort to make the GST more taxpayer-friendly, bringing down the cost and hassle of compliance, to achieve a sustained rise in collections.

Online Coaching for UPSC PRE Exam

General Studies Pre. Cum Mains Study Materials

UPSC Prelims Questions: 

Q.1) With reference to Goods and Services Tax (GST), consider the following statements:
1. It is a type of value added tax.
2. The tax under GST regime is imposed at the point of consumption.
3. It is not applicable on imports of goods and services.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 1 only
(c) 2 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: A

UPSC Mains Questions:
Q.1) How GST can boost Indian economic development? 

A tough balancing act between geopolitical realities and energy security

Mains Paper 2: Economy 
Prelims level: Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries
Mains level: Energy, Infrastructure etc.  

Introduction 

• The US oil and banking sanctions against Iran will come into effect on 4 November. 
• The oil market is unusually calm. Crude prices have fallen during October. 
• The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (Opec) crude price basket went down by 8.6 %, while the Brent benchmark fell by 9.4 % during the month.
• The short-term fluctuations, a different picture emerges if we take the long-term view. Over a one-year horizon.
• The Opec benchmark has gone up by 50%, while Brent crude went up by 30%.

Reasons  behind this price increase 

• Opec has said that the market is well supplied. 
• For most of the consuming countries, it is not simply a question of finding replacement oil. Crude import has to be at prices they can afford. 
• The price has already gone up.
• The Indian crude oil basket is up by nearly 30% since last year, which would add more than ₹2 trillion to our annual oil import bill if the trend persists.
• If rupee depreciation is factored in, the effect will be even more pronounced.
• Prime Minister Modi has said that high oil prices are hurting global economic growth and oil producing countries should do more to bring down prices.

Importance of Chabahar Port

• India is committed to develop Chabahar Port. 
• The port will expand Afghanistan’s options and reduce its dependence on transit trade through Pakistan. The project has been welcomed by all the Central Asian countries.
• The expansion of Chabahar Port is in no way linked to Iran’s oil exports, which go through the Kharg terminal in the Gulf. 
• The port does not add much to Iran’s revenue; it currently handles less than 1.5% of Iran’s total maritime trade. It is a civilian facility open to all countries.

Way forward 

• Iran’s compliance with the nuclear accord has been confirmed by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). As “provisional measures”.
• The International Court of Justice (ICJ) has ruled against the US sanctions. Nevertheless, the US sanctions remain a potent force.
• The increase in oil prices is not only due to impact of sanctions against Iran, but is also driven by policies pursued by Opec and non-Opec producers to restrict crude oil production to keep the prices high.
• The only option that remains for India is reviving rupee payment arrangement to bring down current account deficit, and ensure continuity in Indian exports, which are largely limited to food and pharmaceuticals.
• India has an extremely important and growing relationship with the US. It also has geo-political compulsions, and an age-old relationship with Iran as well as its Arab neighbours.

Online Coaching for UPSC PRE Exam

General Studies Pre. Cum Mains Study Materials

UPSC Prelims Questions: 

Q.1) The term 'Asian premium' which is seen in news refers to
(a) a world famous rice variety found in Asia.
(b) a type of insurance contract leading to slowdown in Asian financial markets.
(c) Asian countries being charged high oil prices by Gulf suppliers.
(d) highly educated skilled workers from Asia.
Answer: C

UPSC Mains Questions:
Q.1) Why Chabahar Port is so important for OPEC?

UPSC IAS Mains Public Administration Solved Exam Paper - 2011

Paper - I

Section - A

Q1. Answer the following questions in not more than 200 words each: 20x3 = 60

(a) 'A crisis of credibility' in the administrative system can be overcome only by 'reinventing government'. Comment.
(b) 'Media is a Parliament of citizens.' Explain.
(c) E-governance is the' final arrival of Max Weber's 'iron cage of rationality', Discuss,

Answer:

(a) 'A crisis of credibility' in the administrative system can be overcome only by 'reinventing government'. Comment.

The New Public Management is a concept articulated by David Osborne and Ted Gaebler in their 1992 book, Reinventing Government. It applies the business customer service model to government.

Citizens are seen as customers and the administrative role is streamlined by converting policy alternatives into market choices. This approach focuses on results and promotes competition inside and outside government.

It focuses on the mission of government, and how to determine the collective public interest. They believe that there are considerations that should come before cost and efficiency, and that citizen participation should be a major factor in decisions.

They see the role of the administrator as very complex: synthesizing the needs of citizens, interest groups, elected representatives, etc.

The principles of Reinventing Government :

• Catalytic government: steering rather than rowing
• Community-owned government: empowering rather than serving
• Competitive government: injecting competition into service delivery
• Mission driven government: transforming rule-driven organisations
• Results-oriented government: funding outcomes, not inputs
• Customer-driven government: meeting the needs of the customer, not the bureaucracy
• Enterprising government: earning rather than spending
• Anticipatory government: prevention rather than cure
• Decentralized government: from hierarchy to participation and teamwork
• Market-oriented government: leveraging change through the market

(b) 'Media is a Parliament of citizens.' Explain.

In contemporary polity, the media serves as the Parliament of the citizens. The media has two main aspects, as a part of what is known as information industry and as a factor in the formulation of opinion.

In both respects, it has to act with responsibility to be effective or reliable. The media is still the main medium of mass communication. Besides its educative role, it can help in exposing the weaknesses of the democratic system and point out how these can be rectified.

Often the media struggles hard to unearth the administrative lapses, scandals and shortcomings, gives expression to public grievances and difficulties and reports on how policies are being carried out.

(Download) MPPSC : State Service Preliminary Exam Paper -I 2018

1. Name the State Bird of Madhya Pradesh.
(A) Peacock
(B) Moorhen
(C) Paradise flycatcher
(D) Parrot

2. What is the full form of  NGT ?
(A) National Green Tribunal
(B) National General Tribe.
(0) New General Tribunal
(D) National Green Tribe

3. Name the first State of India which is  dependent on organic fanning.
(A) Madhya Pradesh
(B) Kerala
(C) Sikkim
(D) Arunachal Pradesh 

4. The main air pollutant(s) in metropolitan cities is/are
(A) O₃
(B) CO and SO₂
(C) CO₂ and NO₂
(D) None of the above

5. Which of the following is a medicinal crop?
(A) Sugarcane
(B) Aloe vera
(C) Cotton
(D) Mahua

6. The sunlight energy used by green plants in photosynthesis is transformed into
(A) chemical energy
(B) physical energy
(C) Both (A) and (B)
(D) None of the above 

7. What is the audible range (hearing range) of humans?f
(A) 20 Hz - 20000 Hz
(B) 80 Hz-100 Hz
(C). 2 lac Hz - 4 lac Hz
(D) 0 Hz-20 Hz

8. Whicii of the' following is a dfesert region?
(A) Sindhu area
(B) Gangetic area
(C) Assam area
(D) Central; India area

9, When is the International Earth Day'celebrated?
(A) 20th April
(B) 5th June
(C) 22nd April
(D) 3rd March

10. Which of the following pairs is not correctly matched? 
Names of Books                                                     Authors
(A) The Burning Forest                                       Nandini Sunder
(B) One Indian Girl                                             Chetan Bhagat 
(C) Jinnah Often Came to Our House                Kiran Doshi
(D) Island of Lost Girls                                        Kunal Basu 

11. Who among the following women won  the by-election in 2017 for the oneRajya Sabha seat from MadhyaPradesh?
(A) Jamuna Devi
(B) Radha Devi
(C) Sampatiya Uikey
(D) Kavita Uikey

Click Here To Download PDF

Printed Study Material for MPPSC

UPSC IAS Mains Public Administration Solved Exam Paper - 2011

Paper - II

Section-A

Q1. Attempt the following m not more than 200 words each: 20 x 3 = 60

(a) "Over-dependence on bureaucracy for bringing about socio-economic development in India has proved to be dysfunctional." Comment.

(b) "The performance of Lok Ayuktas in various States has been uneven." Comment with examples.

(c) Explain with appropriate illustrations the interface between' political culture and bureaucratic culture in contemporary India.

Answer:

(a) "Over-dependence on bureaucracy for bringing about socio-economic development in India has proved to be dysfunctional." Comment.

The main reason is that the bureaucracy is not able to cope up with the emerging challenges because of its colonial master’s mentality. On the other hand, frequent political interference in bureaucratic matter retard the process of development . Bureaucracy in India is more interested in regulatory administration rather than development administration. The personnel which are meant to be the engines of socio-economic change end up as mere agents of state. Bureaucracy in India is considered to have the following characteristics:-

• too large and slow.
• extremely rigid and mechanical.
• consequently not flexible and adaptive to cope with change.
• not innovative and enterprising.
• low motivation and low morale.
• accountability is low.
• not democratic.
• lack of expertise.

India adopted Weberian bureaucracy, it was made for the status quo and not to change the socio-economic system. According to Riggs development is equivalent to diffraction which include both administrative development and participation. We have focused on administrative development while ignoring the participation. Despite the talks of community involvement actual work at the ground level is done by bureaucracy. Both willingness and ability to participate is necessary for development. There is need of full involvement of NGO’s, Self help group and other voluntary agencies in development process to significantly enhance people’s participation.

(b) "The performance of Lok Ayuktas in various States has been uneven." Comment with examples.

The Lokayukta is an anti-corruption ombudsman organization in the Indian states. A closer look at the performance of Lokayuktas in Indian states does not create a very positive impression.

In Bihar the Lokayukta closed a case when he could not get a report from the state government for as long as eight years on the conduct of a minister.

In Andhra Pradesh, Governor Kumudben Joshi did not endorse the nomination for the office of Lokayukta made by Chief Minister N T Rama Rao, leading to the abolition of the institution for a while.

In Odisha the appointment of Lokpal was held up for as many as four years by its Chief Minister, J B Patnaik.

In Maharashtra, when the Lokayukta found two ministers of the state government guilty of malpractice, his report was considered politically motivated.

In Andhra Pradesh, when the Lokayukta successfully completed investigations against many civil servants and former and serving ministers, the High Court and the Administrative Tribunal came in the way of awarding punishment to them.

Although this picture was not bleak always but some commendable work was also done by the Lokayukta of Andhra Pradesh (during the first term of N T Rama Rao) and by that of Karnataka (during the tenures of R K Hegde and Birendra Patil) . The track record of the Lokayukta of Madhya Pradesh has also been satisfactory.

(c) Explain with appropriate illustrations the interface between' political culture and bureaucratic culture in contemporary India.

In India political culture is identified with generalist approach. It represents the dynamic aspiration of the society and creates a framework for political change. On the other hand bureaucratic culture is technical and specialist in nature because bureaucracy is instrumental in carrying out all public activities in legal manner with standard procedure.

In India bureaucratic culture is more developed rather than political one ,so it is the main reason of rift between the two. Administrative culture is more hierarchial and political one is more democratic . In theory they have to work in smooth and frictionless manner but in practice, there are many instances of friction between the two.

UPSC IAS Mains Public Administration Solved Exam Paper - 2012

Paper - I

Section - A

1. Answer the following questions in not more than 150 words each :- 12×5=60

a. ‘On a more sophisticated plane public choice is concerned with “Pareto optimality”, or at least with “Pareto improvements”.’ Comment. (for Answer Join Public Administration Online Coaching)

b. ‘In the canonization of this abstract idea of ‘Staatsraison’ are inseparably woven the sure instincts of the bureaucracy for the conditions which preserve its own power in the State’ [Weber]. Explain. (for Answer Join Public Administration Online Coaching)

c. ‘Man’s motives … in different subparts of the same. organization may be different’ [Edgar Schein]. Discuss. (for Answer Join Public Administration Online Coaching)

d. Leadership is the ‘influential increment over and above mechanical compliance with the routine directives of the organization’ [Katz and Kahn]. Analyze. (for Answer Join Public Administration Online Coaching)

e. ‘Policy judgements comprise reality judgements, value judgements and instrumental judgements’ [Geoffrey Vickers]. Elucidate. (for Answer Join Public Administration Online Coaching)

Q. 2.

a. How would you trace the development of Public Administration in terms of different paradigms from the politics/administration dichotomy of 1900-1926 to the rise of Public Administration as Public Administration after the formation of the National Association of Schools of Public Affairs and Administration (NASPAA) in the USA in 1970 ? 30 (for Answer Join Public Administration Online Coaching)

b. Two sub questions (for Answer Join Public Administration Online Coaching)

a. In what respects is Taylor’s ‘Scientific Management’ or classical motivational theory different from the classical organizational theory expounded by Gulick, Urwick etc ? 15 (for Answer Join Public Administration Online Coaching)

b. What light does Antonio Gramsci ‘s critique ofTaylorism throw on its socio-psychological underpinnings ? 15 (for Answer Join Public Administration Online Coaching)

Q.3.

a. ‘Three features characterize Simon’s original view of bounded rationality : search for alternatives, satisficing, and asp.iration adaptation.’ Elucidate. (20) (for Answer Join Public Administration Online Coaching)

b. Two questions

i. ‘The essence, of the contingency theory paradigm is that organizational effectiveness results from fitting characteristics of the organization, such as its structure, to contingencies that reflect the situation of the organization.’ Give your reactions to this statement. 20 (for Answer Join Public Administration Online Coaching)
ii. In the light of your discussion on above, also show where and how this ‘fitting’ differs essentially from the ‘coping’ with ‘stress’ from the environment emphasized by the systems theory of organization. 20 (for Answer Join Public Administration Online Coaching)

UPSC IAS Mains Public Administration Solved Exam Paper - 2012

Paper - I

SECTION- A

Q.1: Attempt each of the following in about 150 words each :- (12×5=60)

a. “The Mughal Administrative System was military rule by nature and a form of centralised despotism.” Analyse. (for Answer Join Public Administration Online Coaching)

b. ‘Judges should not govern the country. They can lay down a law, not interfere with governance.’ Discuss.(for Answer Join Public Administration Online Coaching)

c. Critically examine the variables in the composition and functioning of Cabinet Committees. (for Answer Join Public Administration Online Coaching)

d. “‘Memorandum of Understanding’ scheme between the Government and Public enterprises has forced public undertakings to improve their overall performance.” Do you agree with this statement? (for Answer Join Public Administration Online Coaching)

e. To what extent has the 74th Constitutional Amendment Act created a ‘federation within a federation’ in India ? (for Answer Join Public Administration Online Coaching)

Q,2

a. “The success and prestige enjoyed by a Chief Secretary depend, to a large extent, upon his equations with the varied sets of people and institutions that form the work environment.” Critically evaluate the statement and its relevance to the role of the Chief Secretary in the discharge of his functions. 30 (for Answer Join Public Administration Online Coaching)

b. 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. 30 (for Answer Join Public Administration Online Coaching)

Q.3

a. ‘Parliamentary Departmental Committees have played their role effectively in analysing the demands for grants.’ Evaluate. 20 (for Answer Join Public Administration Online Coaching)

b. (i) Explain the emerging ambiguity in respect of the developmental role of the District Collector in the wake of the 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act. 10 (ii) Justify ‘indicative’ planning in the context of LPG 10 (for Answer Join Public Administration Online Coaching)

c. ‘Parliament is an independent institution, not to be seen as an extension of government or of a party.’ Elaborate. 20 (for Answer Join Public Administration Online Coaching)

UPSC IAS Mains Public Administration Solved Exam Paper - 2013

Paper - I

Q.1. Answer the following questions in not more than 150 words each: 10x5=50

(a) How did traditional public administration ''resolve a fundamentally irresolvable problem-creating an administration strong enough to be effective but not so strong enough to endanger accountability''? 10 (for Answer Join Public Administration Online Coaching)

(b) The theory of 'organizational incompetence' has two separate and distinct faces. Examine Chris Argyris' views on this. 10 (for Answer Join Public Administration Online Coaching)

(c) ''In the globalized public administration, hierarchy creates more ethical problems than it solves...''Comment. 10 (for Answer Join Public Administration Online Coaching)

(d) Public Administration in the neo-liberal era is governed less by instruments of internal accountability and more by those of external accountability. Elaborate. 10 (for Answer Join Public Administration Online Coaching)

(e) Discuss the view that ''tribunals should have the same degree of independence from the executive as that enjoyed by the Supreme Court and the High Courts, especially for those tribunals that look over the functions of High Courts.''10 (for Answer Join Public Administration Online Coaching)

Q.2.

(a) "New Public Management may have neither been the saviour its enthusiasts promised nor the devil its critics worried it would be." Discuss. 25 (for Answer Join Public Administration Online Coaching)

(b) "The design of the physical structure, the anatomy of the organization came first, and was indeed the principal consideration."  "An organization is a system of interrelated social behaviours of participants."
Analyse these statements and evaluate the contributions of the respective approaches to administration theory. 25 (for Answer Join Public Administration Online Coaching)

Q.3.

(a) "Decisions are not made by 'organizations', but by 'human beings' behaving as members of organizations." How do Bernard and Simon conceptualize the relation between the decisions of the individual employee and the organizational authority? 20 (for Answer Join Public Administration Online Coaching)

(b)"A variety of different organizational arrangements can be used to provide different public goods and services." Explain the theory underlying this proposition and its potential contribution. 15 (for Answer Join Public Administration Online Coaching)

(c) What is the nature of psychological contract pursued by organizational management through authority and the employees through exertion of upward influence? 15 (for Answer Join Public Administration Online Coaching)

Q.4.

(a) Structural theory is, by and large, grounded in classical principles of efficiency, effectiveness and productivity. Explain. 25

(b) "Public interest is still inadequate as a ground concept to evaluate public "policy." Discuss. 25

Answer:

(a) Structural theory is, by and large, grounded in classical principles of efficiency, effectiveness and productivity. Explain. 25

Structural theory relates to a rigid structure of the organization which is needed for effective and efficient management of an organization. It is inherent in the writing of classical thinkers like Fayol, Taylor, Gulick and Urwick, Mooney and Reiley and Weber.

Woodrow Wilson in his famous essay “The study of Administration” propounded scientific management ,it is based on the concept of planning of work to achieve efficiency, standardization, specialization and simplification. The approach to increased productivity is through mutual trust between management and workers.

Fayol in The elements of administrative theory relate to accomplishment of tasks, and include principles of management, the concept of line and staff, committees and functions of management. Fayol considered management as a set of planning, organizing, training, commanding and coordinating functions.

UPSC IAS Mains Public Administration Solved Exam Paper - 2013

Paper - II

Time Allowed: Three Hours

Maximum Marks: 250

SECTION A

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

(a) "The Charter Act of 1853 marked the beginning of parliamentary system in India." Explain.(for Answer Join Public Administration Online Coaching)
(b) "Civil service neutrality is founded on the application of the principles of Rule of Law."Comment (for Answer Join Public Administration Online Coaching)
(c) "The second generation reforms in the Panchayati Raj institutions have changed Panchayats from an agency of development at local level into a political institution." Discuss. (for Answer Join Public Administration Online Coaching)
(d) "Finance Commission in India performs the job of statistics aggregation." Comment (for Answer Join Public Administration Online Coaching)
(e) "Planning enables comprehensive and scientific understanding of problems." Examine the statement in the context of planning methodology. (for Answer Join Public Administration Online Coaching)

Q2.

(a) "Bureaucratic agencies, characterized by established procedures, specialization, leadership, clear objectives are not ideal to handle disaster management." Examine with reference to the need for administrative flexibility in managing disasters. (In about 250 words) 20 (for Answer Join Public Administration Online Coaching)
(b) "The liberal-democratic ideology of the West influenced the shaping of value premises of the Indian Constitution." Discuss. (In about 250 words) 20 (for Answer Join Public Administration Online Coaching)
(c) "Autonomy to public sector undertakings is a myth." Analyse in the context of the use of government expenditures by politicians who control governments at different levels. (In about 150 words) 10 (for Answer Join Public Administration Online Coaching)

Q3.

(a) "Laws are enacted without involving the police in the conception stage, with the result implementation of these laws leaves much to be desired." Examine the role of police in protection of children. (In about 250 words) 20.
(b) "Central Secretariat is the nodal agency for administering the Union subjects and establishing coordination among the various activities of the government." Discuss. (In about 250 words) 20
(c) Is there a need to dispense with the Office of the Governor? Examine in the context of coalition governments. (In about 150 words) 10

Answer:

(a) "Laws are enacted without involving the police in the conception stage, with the result implementation of these laws leaves much to be desired." Examine the role of police in protection of children. (In about 250 words) 20.

Under no circumstances is a juvenile to be kept in a police lock-up or jail. This has been the sentiment of juvenile legislation since the enactment of the children Acts. Reformation and rehabilitation, rather than penalizing the kid, is the essence of juvenile jurisprudence. Towards this end it is necessary to place the juvenile in a specialized setting where his development is of paramount importance. If adult wrongdoer and juvenile are kept along there is a danger of the juvenile being corrupted by hardened criminals or being abused by them. Is not treatment meted to inmates in police lock-ups and a jail isn’t commensurate with the juvenile’s age and is probably going to scar him.

Inter-State Migration

Rising regional disparities in developmental front causes an unprecedented level of inter-state migration in India. Economic survey, 2016-17 stated that as high as 9 Million people migrated for both labor and education within India. Data shows Delhi to be the largest recipient of migrants accounting for more than half the total number, followed by Mumbai and other big metropolitans. 

 
Pronounced trends in inter-Regional migration-

• The inter-state migration is being diversified. Laborers from Hindi-speaking states migrated not only in same language state, but also in southern states like Tamil Nadu and Kerala.
• It indicates that language is reduced to be a barrier in inter-state migration. 
• Economic survey has mentioned that the less affluent states like Bihar, Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh show out-migration trends while more affluent states like Delhi, Maharashtra, Gujarat and Tamil Nadu show in-migration trends.

Causes of Inter-state migration-

Push Factors-

• People migrate due to various reasons. Majority of inter-regional migration occurs from less developed rural or semi-urban areas to more developed metropolitans. The prevalent reason are scarcity of cultivable lands, low agricultural productivity and very few source of income other than agriculture. 
• In semi-urban and relatively less developed urban areas, unavailability of enough job opportunities and lack of better educational opportunities are the prevalent causes of migration.
• From some regions, where education level in high and living conditions are good, women migrated after marriage to Metropolitans where their husbands work. This type of migrations are prevalent in Kanpur and Jaunpur city of Uttar Pradesh.

Pull Factor-

• India is the fastest growing economy in the world. The economic centers of the country like Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore, Chennai etcetera, therefore, requires huge chunk of cheap labor.
• There exists all kind of unskilled or semi-skilled works in the region which attracts poor laborers from less affluent regions. 
• There regions are having better education opportunities, better health facilities and high standard of living. This attracts migrants very much.

Consequences of Migration-

• In India, migration is a two edged sword-- it has its own benefits and problems. The effects of migration can be understood under various factors--
• Demography of both in-migrating and out-migrating states changes. With high young population migrating towards big cities, old and children population increases in source region. While the young population increases in the receiving state. 
• Migration results in the intermixing of diverse cultures and it broaden our understanding of different social and cultural aspects. However, sometimes migration create sense of dejection within individual and they fall crime and drug abuse.
• Economically, migration enhances the remittance in the source region which help in the development of the source region. However, in many instances, a section of locals become dissatisfied with the job loss in the region due to high in-migration. The recent incident of exploitation and violence with migrants in Ahmedabad, Gujarat is a prevalent example of these issues.
• Large migration in an area causes heavy burden over resources. The low skilled workers have to live in slums which are lacking in all kinds of basic amenities such as drinking water, electricity, sewage etc. 

Laws and Regulations for migrants in India-

• Former President of India Dr. Kalam, vision Provision of Urban Amenities in Rural Areas (PURA) which aims to the comprehensive development of rural area, along with economic development in the region. This will reduce high out-migration from source region and balance the inter-state migration in the country.
• Inter-state migrant workmen Act, 1979 and other labor laws stated clearly that migrant workers should be entitled to basic human rights in the source state. Besides, the source state governments are expected to issue license to the contractors who take workers away and also monitors their working and living conditions in the destination state.

Way Forward-

• High migration in India is a reality. We may balance them with better policy implementation that my reduce regional disparities, but there is a need to recognize the issues with migrants and resolve them with full political will.
• All the laws that protect migrant workers, are on the table. However, their implementation is an issue. According to World Economic forum, we need to see migration as a dynamic part of new India. Then only we can solve the complex problem of Urbanization. For instance, Smart city project should include migrants and slum development into consideration. 

Mains question-

There is a high probability that a question over migration may be asked in GS 1 after the recent Gujarat incident. The format may be--
Q. Migration in India is both a result as well as the reason of economic development. Comment. Also discuss the visible consequences of migration.
 
Hint-Try to read the question sincerely. They asked about two things-- how migration causes economic development and how economic development pull people from different states. Try to stick to the demand of the question. Introduce by some facts like Economic survey data or census. In the body part go with two sub heading reason and result. Then discuss 3 or 4 important consequences and conclude with a positive note. 
Try to demonstrate migration status by some rough diagram if possible. It will provide you an edge over others. 

UPSC General Studies PRE Cum MAINS Printed Study Material

Online Crash Course for UPSC PRE Exam

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:

(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

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:-

UPSC IAS Mains Public Administration Solved Exam Paper - 2015

Paper - I

Time Allowed: Three Hours

Maximum Marks: 250

SECTION A

Q1. Answer the following questions in about 150 words each: 10×5=50

1. Waldo’s The Administrative State’ provides a fundamental challenge to some of the orthodox premises. Explain. (for Answer Join Public Administration Online Coaching)
2. Discuss how the Public Choice Theory promotes the concept of ‘Steering’ and undermines the concept of ‘Rowing’ in visualising efficient and effective administration. (for Answer Join Public Administration Online Coaching)
3. “Delegated Legislation is a necessary evil.” Comment. (for Answer Join Public Administration Online Coaching)
4. Do you agree with the view that the charismatic approach of the mid-1970s is a “new version” of the Classical Trait Theory of Leadership? Give reasons. (for Answer Join Public Administration Online Coaching)
5. “The term policy implementation is in some respects preferable to the label public administration.” Argue. (for Answer Join Public Administration Online Coaching)

Q2.

1. “Globalisation has transformed the nature and character of State from traditional administrative Welfare State to a Corporate State.” Analyse the changes in the nature of public administration in this context. (for Answer Join Public Administration Online Coaching)
2. “Contemporary Organisational theory seems further afield of Chester Barnard’s Functions of the Executive than of organisational ecology.” Examine the statement in the light of ecological elements in Barnard’s thought. (for Answer Join Public Administration Online Coaching)
3. “PPPs serve too many parties and too many interests … to be focussed.” Identify in the context of the statement, the parties involved in Public-Private Partnerships and their conflicting aims. (for Answer Join Public Administration Online Coaching)

Q3.

1. “Follett’s work was not directed towards the resolution of the conflict of ideas, but towards the resolution of structural conflicts between workers and capitalists.” In the light of the statement critically evaluate Follett’s idea of dynamic administration. 20 (for Answer Join Public Administration Online Coaching)
2. “Information constitutes the life-blood of the functioning of an organisation.” Explain the utility and significance of communication in decision-making. 15 (for Answer Join Public Administration Online Coaching)
3. “Legislative action is not subject to the rules of natural justice.” Explain the exceptions to the rule of natural justice. (for Answer Join Public Administration Online Coaching)

Q4.

1. “Right from the days of the ‘Peoples’ Charter’ to the new concept of `Precariat Charter’, the concept of Citizen’s Charter and its scope is constantly evolving.” Comment.
2. “Weberian model of bureaucracy lacks emotional validity when applied to modern democratic administration.” Comment.
3. How far do you agree with the view that the growing influence of media comes in the way of agenda-setting by the Government?

Answer:

A. “Right from the days of the ‘Peoples’ Charter’ to the new concept of `Precariat Charter’, the concept of Citizen’s Charter and its scope is constantly evolving.” Comment.

The People's Charter enunciated the key points that were necessary to reform the electoral system and to alleviate the suffering of the working classes – these are following:

• Universal suffrage
• No property qualification required for members of parliament
• Annual parliaments meet
• Equal representation to all
• Payment of salary to members
• Vote by secret ballot

Recycle and build

Mains Paper: 2 | Governance 
Prelims level: C&D waste
Mains level: A proactive effort from municipalities and citizens towards recycling of construction and demolition waste will go a long way in curbing pollution.

Context 

• C&D Waste Management Rules were notified by the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change in March 2016.
• For these to be translated into action, municipal corporations, municipalities and other urban local bodies need to prepare waste management plans, notify bye-laws with penalties for noncompliance, and put in place enforcement mechanisms.
• Facilitating the recycling of C&D waste has to be an important plank of the waste management plans.
• First and foremost, waste generators must be made aware of the nature of the hazard posed by C&D.
• C&D waste increases particulate matter in the air and leads to air pollution.
• Compared with municipal solid waste, it causes more traffic congestion and also pollution from dust.

Spreading awareness 

• People must understand that as water gets trapped in the debris, this becomes a breeding ground for mosquitoes and no amount of spraying can reach the hidden pockets of water.
• They also have to be made aware that as lakes, stormwater drains, ponds and other water bodies get choked, the city becomes more vulnerable to floods.
• Dumping C&D waste in lakes for encroachment, a common practice in large cities, also results in loss of wetlands which are necessary for water purification.
• Manual demolition by hammer and pickaxe is the norm in northern India, primarily due to the higher rates of reuse of building materials, especially good quality whole bricks, and the low wage rate.
• One of the requirements under the rules, for example, on-site unmixed, with different heaps for soil, stones, bricks, cementitious waste, plastics, wood, etc to make reuse and recycling easier.

Way forward 

• This can only be accomplished with community cooperation and oversight.
• Keep C&D waste off the roads, pavements and vacant sites and encourage its transport to recycling units.
• Bengaluru, while giving sanction to building plans, also collects ground rent for the use of pavement for storing C&D materials for 1-2 years of construction.
• Municipalities must also remove unauthorised dumpsites on vacant land.
• Ensure the beneficial uses of vacant sites without harming the rights of site owners but supporting the rights of neighbours for a pollutionfree environment.
• IL&FS Environment has three recycling plants with a total capacity of 2,650 tonnes per day in Delhi.
• Backward and forward linkages need to be forged with all recycling plants so that C&D waste reaches the recycling plants and there is an effective demand for the output from these plants.
• It is important to set standards and have quality certification for the recycled materials so that more and more builders are encouraged to use these materials.

Online Coaching for UPSC PRE Exam

General Studies Pre. Cum Mains Study Materials

UPSC Prelims Questions: 

Q.1) It is a Ramsar site in India which is a constructed wetland for sewage disposal and is both efficient and environmentally friendly. The 8,000-hectare site is a patchwork of tree-fringed canals, rice paddies and fish ponds and one-third of the city's sewage and domestic refuse is converted into a rich harvest of fish and fresh vegetables.
The wetland which is being described in the above passage is?
(a) Vembanad- Kol Lake
(b) Chilika Lake
(c) East Kolkata Wetland
(d) Wular Lake

Correct Answer: C

UPSC Mains Questions:
Q.1) Construction and demolition waste is a major environmental and health hazard. Examine and suggest sustainable solutions for dealing with C&D waste? (250 words)
 

Policy paralysis

Mains Paper: 3 | Internal Security 
Prelims level: Rafale deal
Mains level: Preventing defence scandals require a transparent national security discourse which India is not prepared.

Context 

• Prices are not falling but the farmer is getting a rough deal.
• Industrial output and GDP growth is not picking up.
• The economy will pick up is repeated by the senior-most officials from whom we actually expect answers to real problems.
• The terms of trade were doing badly for agriculture and the farmer was not doing too well.
• Big MSP increases without policy support.
• Mandi prices in bajra, maize, cotton and major oilseeds and pulses were ruling below support prices.
• Ten to 40 per cent deficiencies are common.

Way forward 

• The government hardly ever imposes a high enough tariff because of the needs of the consumer and so the fight goes on.
• Balancing farmer interests and fighting inflation needs the kind of strategic thinking .
• NAFED does some procurement but it is usually short of funds.
• Getting Walmart to buy farmers produce and give them space in its warehouses is far more important as an alternative supply channel.
• Prices are simultaneously rising for the consumer.
• Policymakers took credit for retail inflation falling from 4.85 per cent in July to 3.69 per cent.
• Last year it was 3.28 per cent and there is seasonality in food prices.
• The turnaround for the worse in industrial output is the most

distressing.

• If policy-making took this as a temporary hiccup and got back to the drawing board on giving industrial output the stimulus it needs.

Online Coaching for UPSC PRE Exam

General Studies Pre. Cum Mains Study Materials 

UPSC Prelims Questions: 

Q.1) Consider the following pairs:
Defence equipment Imported from
1. Rafale Fighter Jet : France
2. Sukhoi Fighter Jet : Russia
3. Phalcon Airborne Early Warning and Control Systems (AWACS) : Israel
Which of the pairs given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 1 and 2 only
(c) 2 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3

Correct Answer: D

UPSC Mains Questions:

Q.1) Is Rafael recognizes as a scam or just a tussle war between the political parties. Critically analyse.