- Prologue
- PubAd.Paper 1: Section A
- PubAd Paper I: Section B (Question 5 to 8)
- PubAd.Paper II Section A
- PubAd.Paper 2: Section B
Prologue
- UPSC comes with new word limits here: 10 marks = 150 words and 20 marks = 250 words. There is one question worth 30 marks- but word limit not mentioned.
- Gandhi Prem continues here also. (in paper II)
The Question Paper ‘skeleton’ remains same like earlier i.e.
- Eight Questions in two sections (A and B)
- Candidate has to attempt five questions.
- Question #1 and #5 are compulsory.
- Out of the remaining, pick any three- but choose at least one from each section.
Detailed analyses later, Let’s check papers: each with 250 marks and 3 hours’ time limit.
PubAd.Paper 1: Section A
Questions 1 (Compulsory)
Answer the following, questions in not more than 150 words each. 5 questions x 10 marks each.
- How did the traditional Public Administration resolve the fundamentally irresolvable problem- creating an administration strong enough to be effect but not strong enough to endanger accountability?
- The theory of organizational incompetence has two separate and distinct faces. Examine Chris Argyris’ views on this
- In the globalized Public Administration, hierarchy creates more ethical problems than it solves. Comment
- Public Administration in the neo-liberal era is government less by the instruments of accountability and more by those of external accountability Elaborate
- Discuss the views that “tribunals should have the same degree of independence from the Executive as that enjoyed by the supreme court and high courts, especially for those tribunals that look over the functions of high courts.
Question 2
- New Public Administration may have neither been the savior its enthusiasts promised, nor the devil its critics worried it would be. Discuss. (25 marks | word limit not mentioned)
- “The design of physical structures, the anatomy of the organization came first, and was indeed the principle consideration.” “An organization is a system of interrelated social behaviors of participants” Analyses these statements and evaluate the contribution of the respective approach to Administrative theory. (25 marks | word limit not mentioned)
Question 3
- Decisions are not made by organizations, but by human beings behaving as the members of organizations. How do Bernard and Herbert A. Simon conceptualize the relation between decision of the individual employee and the organizational authority? 20 marks
- A variety of different organizational arrangement can be used to provide different public goods and services. Example the theory underlying this proposition and its potential contribution. 15 marks.
- What is the nature of psychological contract persued by organizational management through authority and employees through exertion of upward influence? 15
Question 4
- Structure theory is by and large, grounded in classical principles of efficiency, effectiveness and productivity. Explain. 25 marks
- Public interest is still inadequate as a ground concept to evaluate public policy. Discuss. 25 marks.
PubAd Paper I: Section B (Question 5 to 8)
Question 5 (Compulsory)
Answer all five, in not more than 150 words each. 10 marks x 5 = 50 marks.
- Comparative Public Administration both resembles and differs from modern organization theory. elaborate
- In organizational analysis, there is always gender around (Gouldner). Argue
- What is Administrative elitism? How does it evolve in Public Administration? elaborate your response with reference to historical examples
- The success of e-government projects in most developing countries s is state to be rather low. Assess the reason.
- What new models of budgetary capacity and incapacity have emerged after the decline of planning programming budgeting and zero based budgeting?
Question 6
- “For those who use the euphemism of ‘shared power’ for participation, the appropriate literature for guidance is practical politics and not organization and Management.” “Stronger state and strong civil society are the need to develop both participatory democracy and responsive government as mutually reinforcing and supportive.” Bring out the myths and realities associate with public participation. 20 marks
- “….in most cases….newly independent states, of the nations of Africa, Asia and Latin America, despite their differences…are in transition.” (Ferrel Heady). What common features are indicative of characteristics of their Administrative patterns (cultures)? 15m
- “To talk about the regulatory framework is to talk about short governance.” Analyze the statement in the context of public private partnership and identify the elements of regulation. 15m
Question 7
- Economic reforms are a work in progress, with the state reluctant to fully relinquish its reins. Discussion the statement with regard to implementation of economic reforms in India . 15
- “the policy process was not structured in the way required by bureaucratic planning.” “Arguably, instrumentalism now stands most in contrast to neo liberal nationality that impose market against both gradual change and democratic liberalism.” analyses these two statements. 20 marks.
- Budget allocations involves series of tensions between actors with different backgrounds, orientations and interests and between the short term goals and long term institutional requirements. Discuss. 15 marks
Question 8
Q8a. Read following instances carefully and suggest what specific perspectives on organizational psychology of motivation would help the concerned organization to reconcile the needs of the following four persons with the needs of organization: 30m
- Mr.A comes to his office with clocklike punctuality; does his work with impeccable honesty and integrity; takes orders from above gladly; responds well to overtures by peers; but neither mixes with anyone himself nor seeks anyone’s company. what is more, he seem quite happy in his isolation.
- Mr.B is an efficient charge hand at the welding shop. He is very outgoing and makes friends fast, but falls out with them very fast too. He is, however, easily pacified when anyone asks him to calm down in the name of the organization.
- Mr.C is completely happy and absorbed when he is teaching in the classes, and doesn’t at all mind when is workload gets heavier and covers new areas. But he gets angry when the finance section raises objection about his medical bills; and is furious that the higher administration is yet to give him full tenure.
- Mr.D is a metallurgist in the forge shop of the steel plan, and has received honors for his innovativeness in modifying conventional alloys. He also paints well and values his painting skills far more than his metallurgy and is extremely unhappy that company house journal did not finally carry his water sketch on its front cover.
Q8b. Suppose the government of India is thinking of constructing a dam in a mountain valley girded by forests and inhibited by ethnic communities. What rational techniques of policy analysis should it resorts to for coping with likely uncertainties and unforeseen contingencies.
End of paper 1, here comes paper 2
Same instructions for Paper two i.e. 5 out of 8, Q1 and 5 compulsory, attempt remaining three from any section but atleast one from each section.
PubAd.Paper II Section A
Question 1 (Compulsory)
Attempt following about 150 words each. 10 marks x 5 = 50m
- The charter act of 1853 marked the beginning of parliamentary system in India. Explain
- Civil service neutrality is founded on the application of the principles of rule of law. Comment
- The second generation reforms in Panchayati Raj institution have changed Panchayats from an agency of Development at local level into a political institution. comment
- Finance commission in India performs the job of statistics aggregation. comment
- Planning enables comprehensive and scientific understanding of problems. Examine the statement in context of planning methodology.
Question 2
- Bureaucratic agencies, characterized by established procedures, specialization, leadership, clean objectives, are not ideal to handle disaster Management. examine with reference to the need for Administrative flexibility in managing disasters. (20 marks | 250 words)
- The liberal -democratic ideology of the west influenced in shaping of value premises of the Indian Constitution. Discuss. (20 marks | 250 words)
- Autonomy to public sector undertakings is a myth. Analyze in the context of the use of government Expenditure by politicians to control governments at different levels. (10 marks | 150 words)
Question 3
- Laws are enacted without involving police in the conception stage, with the result implementation of these laws leaves much to be desired. Examine the role of police in protection of children. (10 marks | 150 words)
- Central Secretariat is the nodal agency for administering the union subjects and establishing coordination among the various activities of government discuss. (20 marks | 250 words)
- Is there is need to dispense with the office of the governor? Examine in the context of coalition governments. (10m | 150w)
Question 4
- “There is a tendency of centralism in Indian federalism, but it is not because of its institutional framework but because of its socialist goals and centrally devised plan development.” explain the statement in the context of union-state relationships (20m|250w)
- Use of information and communication technology in Panchayat’s function enhances efficiency, transparency and accountability and also induces mass ICT culture. Examine (20m|250w)
- Judicial review of administrative tribunal’s decision defeats the very objective of establishing tribunals. Comment with reference to central Administrative tribunal. (10m|150w)
PubAd.Paper 2: Section B
Question 5 (Compulsory)
Attempt following about 150 words each. 10 marks x 5 = 50m
- Public Administration today tends to be less of public in quantitative terms, but more responsive to public needs than before in qualitative terms. Examine with reference to citizen centric administration
- Performance budgeting failed because it was applied to sectors/ programs where quantitative evaluation was not feasible. Examine the principles underlying performance budgeting techniques.
- The design of the Indian police was to subjugate the India n people in the aftermath of 1857. Analyze in the context of Indian police Act of 1861.
- Reducing the size (geographical area) of the district will provide relief to the overburdnened and overworked collector. comment
- The concept of social audit is more comprehensive than that of traditional audit. comment
Question 6
- Gandhian model of decentralization is similar to the process of reinventing governance. Analyze in the context of good governance. (20m|250 words)
- Accounting is the essence of producing promptly and clearly the facts relating to financial conditions and operations that are required as a basis of management. Substantiate the statement in the context of accounting methods and techniques in government (20m|250 words)
- Explain the important recommendations of VT Krishanamachary Committee (1952) on the Indian and State Administrative services and problems of district administration. (10m|150w)
Question 7
- The 73rd amendment, it is felt, may accentuate fiscal indiscipline by establishing between states and local governments a system of transfers, similar to the one in place between central and state government (world d bank) Comment (20m|250w)
- Municipal administration in India faces both structural and operational challenges. examine in context of the post 74th amendment act (20m|250w)
- Self-help groups (SHG) have contributed to a change in the role of rural women in development from symbolic participation of empowerment (10m|150w)
Question 8
- There is both criminalization of politics and politicization of criminals in India . Examine and identify the challenges they cause for law and order administration. (20m|250w)
- The basic ethical problem of an administrator is to determine how he/she can use discretionary power in a way that is consistent with democratic values. comment with reference to corruption in administration (20m|250w)
- Justify the Constitutional provisions to treat certain expenditure as charged upon Consolidate fund of India (10m|150w)
click me if you want last 34 years’ Public Administration papers (1979 to 2012).
Is there any possibility of cutting marks in Interview because of AGE Factor? like i am 29 . But i have pretty good work ex of 7 years… do UPSC go by some of the recommendation of committees like Hota Committee (which recommended age of 21-25 years i guess) on Max AGE criteria for Civil Servants…….
Pls comment….
@ravish
unless and until the govt. accepts those recommendations, there is no reason for aspirants to worry about their age. the logic behind recommending 21-25 yrs of age is to train and mould youngsters as per govt requirement and to inculcate ethical values. its difficult to change the attitude and outlook of a 25+ yr old guy.
since u r 29, during interview they expect you to showcase that maturity and emotional stability. a 21 yr old aspirant can make a mistake if asked about indias foreign policy or economic scenario. but a similar mistake from a 29 yr old wont be welcome. also u can expect a lot ofbqns from ur professional background but if u fail to answer any such questions satisfactorily, then it showcases u under poor light..
you should be able to turn that age factor to ur advantage by giving well justified firm answers. at the same time u should also be open to new ideas and accomodative to different perspectives that the interview board puts in front of u.
sir please ad the sanskrit litrature paper
it is here
http://www.drishtiias.com//images/class/Sanskirit-Paper-1-and-2.pdf
enjoy :)
Public administration is the most dangerous subject in current times. Its a double edged sword since it looks quite easy and short content wise and also overlapping with gs, at the same time it is probably the most dynamic and open subject based on latest practice in administration which increases its scope and area immensely… Dangerous…. Reading so many books are of no use.. Either they should come clear about the trend or should use only the standard format of question paper.. Because it is important for the student also to prepare his mind accordingly… People who are writing Mains are intelligent enough to answer such question, but it is necessary they should be aware of the sample question atleast…….
New public administration was not asked it was new public management….
Sir,
whether UPSC is giving seperate Question paper which we can bring home or it is a Q cum Answer sheet. and also please let me know answer sheet is Ruled or unruled.
Arjun
dear all,
pub ad as a subject is very good and u can score decent marks but if u have conceptual clarity about the topics……….many topics seem to be same but with a tiny differences……u have to catch those tiny points…….in this yr qs in paper 1 created confusion as what to write…..those who totally relied on coaching material found qs very difficult…….indeed qs were difficult but doable and far easy from last yr’s qs……syllabus of gs will also put down the burden as many things matches with PA…….daily analysis of ‘hindu’ and collection of relevant(instead of garbage news) news paper cuttings will also help in PA………p2 was moderate as last yr’s nd easy to fetch marks………listen that due to relatively short syllabus it is easy to give more time to gs papers……….with other papers it is possible that externalities of optional could cost ur gs preparation………it is far better to get 10 more marks in each gs subject than to get 20 more marks in optional(benefit of 20 marks)…….keep in mind that optional reduced to only 500 marks nd proper prepartion of gs will matter a lot……last yr due to psychology i could not give much time to gs and PA which resulted in disqualification for intrvw by 42 marks……..but this yr i got enough time to prepare for both gs and PA…….lets see what happens as this was 3rd attempt
above is my analysis and not a hard rule for success(even till date i m waiting for that)…….everyone should follow his/her discretion in selection of optional……hope it will help
sir,what news should be concentrated more in newspaper for pubad ?
Dear Mrunal there is an error in Paper 1 Q2(1). It is NOT New Public Administration but New Public MANAGEMENT
Not able to dwnld pdfs from smartphone browser.
Mrunal sir plz upload topper’s answer via rti plz
Thanx sir
i really needed this clarity about PA. as,m going to take PA as my optional…but was little scared due to its score in recent yrs,as told by some..is it true about d score????
n does PA require,,reading of many books????
plz,clarify it..
Thanx sir
i really needed this clarity about PA. as,m going to take PA as my optional…but was little scared due to its score in recent yrs,as told by some..is it true about d score????
n does PA require,,reading of many books????
plz,clarify it….
sir
can you explane Goods and Service Tax detail
Hi mrunal, can we get a sample of solved question just to understand the techniques of presentation.
Plz upload economics mains paper.