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