Analysis of Public Administration Paper II : IAS MAINS 2014

In comparison to Public Administration Mains 2014 Paper I, the Paper II is comparatively simple and straight forward. But in spite of that if you are not very holistic in your approach it is not easy to secure good marks in it. Link it with other topics and quote and add the recommendations of administrative committees if required and this way you will get cutting edge. In fact you need to apply paper-II practices in paper-I and paper-I theory in paper-II.

Without writing practice you never do well in Public Administration Mains

Public Administration though required a better vocabulary of its own, testing your essentials embedded within you while your preparations and reading of this subject.

Practice previous years paper and model questions if you want to perform better in this optional besides the general reading.

:: SECTION-A ::

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

1. Ethics in public services has been the central concern of Kautilya’s Arthashastra. Critically examine the statement

2. Discuss the valuable premise of constitutionalism in India which the bureaucracy cannot violate.

3. The functional role of 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.

4. Despite the adoption of decentralised planning, participatory initiative remain marginalised and divisive live in many regions. Discuss

5. 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 Commission). Do you agree? Give reasons to support your arguments.

Q2. 20+20+10 marks

1. “Public sector undertakings must learn to survive and be entrepreneurial, without assured government budgetary support.” In the light of the statement give your suggestions for strengthening their autonomy and reviving the health of sick public sector undertakings.

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

3. District collector is a legacy of the British Raj and has largely remained insulated from the demands of contemporary professionalism. Discuss

Q3. 20+20+10 marks

1. Gender responsive budgeting has infused greater accountability of planning departments towards women empowerment programs. Examine the statement.

2. The Gubernatorial position of the Governor is comfortably placed in the fuzzy area between “withdrawal of the pleasure of the President” and “compelling reasons for removal.” Discuss with some recent examples.

3. Beneath the soft outer shell of democratic administrative framework lies unscathed the steel frame of Indian administration which has survived through ages. In the light of the statement, examine the relationship between bureaucracy and development in the last one decade.

Q4. 20+20+10 marks

1. Management of intergovernmental relations is as important as that of intergovernmental relations. Examine its impact upon the performance of the government.
2. How far do you agree with the view that National Development Council could resonate the demands of the state governments as long as planning commission is Subservient to it? Critically examine.
3. Critically examine the statement: “Thana (police station) as the last bastion of the waning British administrative legacy in India.”

:: Section-B ::

Q5 . Answer the following questions in about 150 words each: 10 x 5 = 50 marks.

1. Discuss the changes in the powers of controller and auditor General of India, following a recent Supreme Court judgement concerning a private service provider.
2. Parliamentary committees bring about accountability and public expenditure. Discuss
3. do you think that the role of Panchayati Raj should go beyond development Administration? Give reasons for your answer.
4. Police – public relations are a story of insincere efforts made both sides. Elaborate
5. From coalition government to one-party dominance is of the change that is bound to affect the governmental system. Explain why and how

Q6. 20+20+10 marks

1. Assess the role of honest and upright civil servants in regulatory and development administration in India. Give examples to substantiate your arguments.
2. “Social auditing of flagship programmes of the Central government facilitates the performance of the Comptroller and Auditor-General.” Elaborate the statement with appropriate examples.
3. Explain the notion of one hundred ‘smart cities’ and its likely impact on India’s urbanization.

Q7. 20+20+10 marks

1. Elaborate the features of the grievance redressal mechanism of the civil services in India. Does this mechanism satisfy the objectives of its creation?
2. 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?
3. “Unimplemented reforms in administration weaken the administrative reforms process most.” Do you agree? Give your answer citing specific cases as illustrations.

Q8. 20+20+10 marks

1. Discuss the need for civil service neutrality in development administration. Suggest some measures for achieving and strengthening it in practice.
2. Supreme Court ruling on 31st October, 2013 in respect of bureaucracy’s functioning would help achieve good governance. Analyze this ruling and add your comments on it.
3. 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.

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