(Exam Paper) UPSC IAS Mains 2001: Public Administration
(Exam Paper) UPSC IAS Mains 2001: Public Administration
Paper- I
Section A
1. Answer any three of the following in not more than 200 words each:
(a) “Publicness” of Public Administration in an ideal democratic government
remains the ultimate value in theory and practice.’ Elucidate.
(b) Minmobrook Conference in USA identified four features crucial to ‘new public
administration’. Explain.
(c) ‘The nature and role of communication in administration indicates that
“Communication is authority”.’ Comment.
(d) Critically examine the models of Max Weber and Chester I Barnard with
reference to ‘bureaucratic authority’.
2. The ‘decision-making scheme’ and ‘satisfying model’ of Herbert A Simon is the major component of administrative theory. Comment.
3. Why do all administrative organizations consider ‘hierarchy’ as the many splendoured technique ? Discuss.
4. In what respects, the powers of proposed institution of Lok Pal in the Bill already introduced in Indian Parliament, will strengthen the institution as compared to Parliamentary Commissioner of UK?
Section B
5. Answer any three of the following in not more than 200 words each:
(a) ‘The inculcation of belief in the real existence of a common purpose is
an essential executive function.’ Comment.
(b) Burekehead says : ‘Budget in Government is a vehicle of fiscal policy and a
tool of management.’ Examine this statement.
(c) Critically comment on Riggsian Prismatic Sala model of administration of
developing societies. To what extent Indian Administrative system exhibits
prismatic characteristics ?
(d) ‘Statutory External auditing is one of the protectors of democracy in the
parliamentary form of Government.’ Comment.
6. A fairly adequate analysis of the Administrative Organization in Government is possible when we treat ‘bureaucracy’ as a ‘structure’ and ‘administration’ as a ‘function’. Discuss.
7. What techniques the Government of India have employed to evaluate (appraise) the performance of senior level employees, i.e., Class I and Class II? Are you satisfied with these techniques?
8. Critically examine the monetary and fiscal policies of Government of India in the decade 1991 to 2001. Do you think world financial institutions had a role to play in opening Indian economy to global forces? Give reasons to substantiate your argument.
Paper- II
Section A
1. Comment on any three of the following in not more than 200 words each:
(a) “The machinery of government designed in Kautilya’s Arthashastra does not
exactly resemble our modern-day polity, but it does contain some principles
which could be said to be the part of today’s science of public administration.”
(b) “The use of the word ‘Socialist’ in the Indian Constitution has become
redundant in the context of the liberalization of economy.”
(c) “The Prime Minister stands out as the most powerful authority even today.”
(d) “The District Collector admirably survived the historical change of role
from an alien regime to a national one.”
2.
“It is axiomatic that a country’s public administration system, including its bureaucracy, must fit into and respond to its overall political system.” In the light of this statement discuss the mutual relations between the civil servants and the ministers since Independence.
3.
(a) “State Directorates are administrative and implementation units assisting
the Departments functioning from the Secretariat.” Explain.
(b) “Despite the serious commitment on the part of the government, the benefits
of the rural development programmes do not seem to reach the intended targets
and they fail to serve fully the purpose for which they were intended.”
Elucidate.
4.
“Despite liberalization, privatization and globalization of economy, the public sector has its own relevance for India.” Discuss the functions and role of public sector in the new economic scenario and the changes that they need to bring about in them.
Section B
5. Comment on any three of the following in not more than 200 words each :
(a) “The need and significance of all-India services has been well recognized
in political as well as administrative circles.”
(b) “It is the audit of propriety that distinguishes the audit of the
Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) from the audit made by any
professional auditor.”
(c) “Although District Planning Committee and Metropolitan Planning Committees
have been provided, those remain mostly on paper.”
(d) “Administrative Reforms in India are not necessarily the result of the
recommendations of any specific committees or commissions.”
6.
“Control over public expenditure is an essential feature of accountable and responsible financial administration.” In the light of this statement discuss various methods of control over public expenditure which are exercised by the Indian Parliament.
7.
(a) “The policy of the government is reflected by various items of the
budget.” Explain by distinguishing between a commercial budget and a government
budget.
(b) “Indian administration is yet to fully appreciate and adopt the benefits of
‘the information technology.” Elucidate.
8.
“The Central Social Welfare Board has become an anomalous institution.” In light of this statement, examine the functions and role of the Central Social Welfare Board and suggest measures for making it an effective institution.
