UPSC IAS Mains Public Administration Solved Exam Paper - 2015 (Paper -II)

PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION Online Course

UPSC IAS Mains Public Administration Solved Exam Paper - 2015

Paper - II

Time Allowed: Three Hours

Maximum Marks: 250

Section-A

Q1. Attempt all of the following in about 150 words each: 10×5=50

“Democracy within bureaucracy is likely to reduce its effectiveness.” Do you agree with this view? Argue your case. (for Answer Join Public Administration Online Coaching)
“District Collector’s role in the development process has been overemphasized.” Comment on the statement. (for Answer Join Public Administration Online Coaching)
Why has District Planning been marginalized in many States and remained prominent in a few States? Explain. (for Answer Join Public Administration Online Coaching)
“Ordinance-making power of the Executive needs to be suitably restrained.” Examine it critically. (for Answer Join Public Administration Online Coaching)
‘Minimum government, maximum governance’ is not just a slogan but a philosophy of administration with enormous potentialities.” Do you agree? Give reasons for your answer. (for Answer Join Public Administration Online Coaching)

Q2.

To what extent has political culture influenced the administrative culture of India? Explain. 20
Briefly discuss the main recommendations of the Punchhi Commission (2010) on Centre-State relations for transforming Indian Federal System. 20
As Dr. B. R. Ambedkar observed, “the text of the Constitution can provide the organs of the State, but the final outcome of the governance process depends on how it has operationalized by the political parties and people”. Elucidate the statement. 10

Answers:

A. To what extent has political culture influenced the administrative culture of India? Explain. 20

Fred W. Riggs classified social structures into three types : fused, prismatic and diffracted and outlined features of administration in each of these categories. Administration is culture-bound and shaped by the environment in which it operates.

Administration is most immediately and prominently influenced by the political culture. The nature of political culture determines the nature of administrative culture. During British raj, Indian political system was centralized, and authoritarian. Therefore, administration too, was the same.

But after independence with the change of guard , political culture became democratic, and welfare-oriented. Therefore, administration ethos too changed in course of time.

Administration also influences political culture and helps in formulating governmental policies. The administrators provide different types of expertise and suggestions to the political executive in the course of the formulation of programmes and policies . Thus, administrative and political culture interacts each other.

B. Briefly discuss the main recommendations of the Punchhi Commission (2010) on Centre-State relations for transforming Indian Federal System. 20

The Commission on Centre-State relations under the Chairmanship of Madan Mohan Punchhi looked into the new issues of Centre-State relations keeping in view the changes that have been taken place in the polity and economy of India since the Sarkaria Commission had last looked at the issue of Centre-State relations over two decades ago.

Punchhi Commission recommended that the ISC must meet at least thrice a year on an agenda evolved after proper consultation with States.

The Commission also laid out the modalities for making the ISC an effective mechanism for intergovernmental dispute resolution.

Despite repeated assertions by different Commissions, the ISC has held only 10 meetings in the last 22 years of its existence and made tardy progress in addressing inter-State disputes.

Successive governments have preferred extra constitutional bodies over Constitutionally-mandated bodies like Zonal Councils and ISC to spearhead the development process.

The success of the various initiatives from the Centre to make the growth process more sustainable and inclusive will to great extent depend on the response of the States.

The Centre would have to play the role of friend, philosopher and guide to the States in facilitating the growth process. It should take the initiative of activating the Constitutionally-approved institutional mechanisms, so that States get a platform to voice their concerns.

This would help the country achieve higher and harmonious growth. Involvement of States should be an integral part of the development process.

C. As Dr. B. R. Ambedkar observed, “the text of the Constitution can provide the organs of the State, but the final outcome of the governance process depends on how it has operationalized by the political parties and people”. Elucidate the statement. 10

Measuring governance is inherently a controversial and political exercise. According to the United Nations Development Programme's Regional Project on Local Governance for Latin America:

Governance has been defined as the rules of the political system to solve conflicts between actors and adopt decision (legality). It has also been used to describe the "proper functioning of institutions and their acceptance by the public" (legitimacy). And it has been used to invoke the efficacy of government and the achievement of consensus by democratic means (participation)

Political party treated as an intermediate semi-governmental and semi-societal organisation. Constitution is the supreme law of the land, a fundamental normative from which all other secondary norms such as statutory law, executive orders and ordinances are derived. Political parties familiarize and educate voters and citizens in the functioning of the political and electoral system and in generating general political values. Political parties balance opposing demands and convert them into general policies. It channel public opinion from citizens to government and recruit and train candidates for public offices.

A country can be said to be democratic only when its peoples need to have a free and informed choice among various policy options and candidates to determine their post-election representatives. Political parties fix policy priorities as identified by members and supporters. It mobilize citizens toward political participation while demonstrating how they can transform public opinion into viable policy options.

Q3.

The objectives, approaches and organizational arrangements for decision-making of the NITI Aayog aim at restoring the federal character of the Indian polity. Explain. (for Answer Join Public Administration Online Coaching)
Explain fully how a balance can be struck between autonomy and accountability of India’s public enterprises. (for Answer Join Public Administration Online Coaching)
“Decentralised governance must serve as an instrument of realizing social change and social justice.” Comment on the statement. (for Answer Join Public Administration Online Coaching)

Q4.

Discuss the arguments for and against the National Judicial Appointments Commission Act, 2014. (for Answer Join Public Administration Online Coaching)
“In very recent time, the role of the State Governor is found to be more of diplomatic than administrative nature.” Comment on the statement with suitable examples. (for Answer Join Public Administration Online Coaching)
Comment on the recent changes in the approach and methodology of devolution of responsibilities and transfer of funds from the Union to the States. (for Answer Join Public Administration Online Coaching)

Section-B

Q5. Attempt all of the following in about 150 words each: 10X5=50

Critically examine the concept of community policing as a tool for improving public-police relations. (for Answer Join Public Administration Online Coaching)
Explain how budget can be used as a political instrument. (for Answer Join Public Administration Online Coaching)
“Most Civil Servants in India are competent administrators, but they pay little attention to encourage people’s participation in decision-making.” Comment on the statement. (for Answer Join Public Administration Online Coaching)
Do you think that the functioning of Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs), in practice, reflects genuine devolution of powers and resources? Give reasons for your answer. (for Answer Join Public Administration Online Coaching)
“Information Communication Technology (ICT) improves the quality of public service delivery, but fails to check bribery.” Comment. (for Answer Join Public Administration Online Coaching)

Q6.

“Excellent ideas but poor implementation have characterised the administrative reforms in India since Independence.” Critically examine the statement giving examples from the Union and State Governments. (for Answer Join Public Administration Online Coaching)
Do you agree that there has been a serious governance-deficit in development administration in India? Give reasons for your answer and add your suggestions. (for Answer Join Public Administration Online Coaching)
What are the major concerns of the Second Administrative Reforms Commission on Civil Service reforms? Indicate the current status of their implementation. (for Answer Join Public Administration Online Coaching)

Q7.

How do the Union Government policies on Smart and AMRUT Cities address the problems of management of urban development? Explain. (for Answer Join Public Administration Online Coaching)
Discuss the significance and role of the Central Paramilitary Forces in maintaining law and order and countering insurgency as well as terrorism.(for Answer Join Public Administration Online Coaching)
Discuss the major highlights of the reforms introduced from time-to-time in Central Civil Services Conduct Rules and add your own comments. (for Answer Join Public Administration Online Coaching)