Public Administration Mains 2020 : Solved Paper-2 (Question: 5)
Public Administration Mains 2020 : Solved Paper Question Paper-2 (Question-5)
Section A
- Exam Name: UPSC IAS Mains Public Administration (Paper-II)
- Marks: 250
- Time Allowed: 3 Hours
Q5. Answer the following in about 150 words each :
(a) Political neutrality of civil servants has been regarded as one of the cardinal principles in democratic governments. Is its sanctity being maintained in practice in India? Elucidate.
One of the important traditional virtues of Indian Civil services has been its neutrality. In the words of the Masterman Committee, “The characteristic which has long been recognized in the British administrator and extolled as a special virtue is his impartiality, and, in his public capacity, a mind untinged by political prepossession.” The main ingredients of the British concept of Civil Service neutrality may be listed as: “(i) public confidence in the freedom of the Civil Service from all political bias ; (ii) minister’s confidence in obtaining loyal. service from the civil servants irrespective of what political party is in power; (iii) high staff morale based on confidence that promotions and other rewards do not depend upon political origins or partisan activity but on merit alone.” The American concept of Civil Service neutrality, as described by the Hoover Commission, is: “They should keep clear of all political activity, preserve their neutrality in matter of policies..... This means that they must avoid such emotional attachment to the policies of any administration that they cannot accept, change and work in harmony with new leaders ....” Senior civil servants would necessarily refrain from all political activities that would affect adversely their ability to perform their official duties fairly, or that would tend to identify them personally with a political party or its policies.
(b) Budget is an indicator of financial health of a polity which is reflected in the statement of income and expenditure. Discuss. (Paid)
ANSWER: ONLY FOR COURSE MEMBERS
(c) Panchayati Raj Institutions are still plagued by State control and domination of bureaucracy. Argue your case. (Paid)
ANSWER: ONLY FOR COURSE MEMBERS
(d) Urban local governance is perpetually afflicted with lack of financial autonomy and starvation of funds. Elaborate. (Paid)
ANSWER: ONLY FOR COURSE MEMBERS