Public Administration
- Paper-I and II: Each 3 hours and 250 marks.
- There are 8 questions divided into two sections, printed in both Hindi and English.
- You’ve to attempt 5 questions. No.1 and 5 are compulsory and out of remaining, 3 are to be attempted choosing atleast 1 question from each section.
- Word limit, wherever specific, should be adhered to. (Mrunal- they did not specify wordlimit in questions, except for Q1 and Q5).
- Attempt all questions in chronological order, unless struck off, attempt of a question shall be counted even if attempted partially. Any page of portion of the page left blank in the question-cum-answer booklet must be clearly struck off.
Paper1: SECTION-A
Q1 (Compulsory) Answer the following questions in about 150 words each: 10 x 5 = 50 marks.
- What are the implications of the post-structuralist perspective on the discrete aspects of Public Administration, coming from its epistemological positions?
- “Adaptive, problem-solving, temporary systems of diverse specialists, linked together by coordinating executives in an organic flux-this is original form that will gradually replace bureaucracy”. Discuss, in the light of this statement, the ‘end of bureaucracy’ thesis and its strengths and limitations.
- “Karl Marx’s interpretation of bureaucracy was rooted in the history of the nature of the State”. Evaluate.
- “The conceptual division between administrative and constitutional law is quite porous, and that along many dimensions, administrative law can be considered more constitutional in character that the constitutions.” How would you justify the statement?
- Is Peter Drucker justified in saying, “Management principles should not tell us what to do, but only tell us what not to do”? Comment.
Q2. Answer following (20+15+15=50 marks)
- “Governance theory and the nation of governmentality have many points of convergence, but they run on parallel lines.” Comment. 20 marks.
- “Taylor’s ideas need modification in the context of post-industrial economies in contemporary era.” Justify with reasons. 15 marks
- How does the Strategic Contingencies Theory of organizational design deal with problems arising from sub-unit centrality and non-substituability? 15 marks.
Q3. Answer following (20+15+15=50 marks)
- According to Macgregor, “true professional help is not in playing God with the client, but in placing professional knowledge and skills at the client’s disposal.” In the light of above statement, justify how theory-Y is indicative and not prescriptive. 20 marks
- the notion of informal organisation is a residual or cafeteria concept of diverse and sprawling contents. How does Gouldner established the need for understanding the interdigitations between the formal and informal organisation. 15 marks
- The right to information is not all about citizens empowerment, it essentially redefines the concept of accountability. Discuss. 15 marks
Q4. Answer following (20+15+15=50 marks)
- New public management and post new public management reforms initiatives ever affected the balance between managerial, political, administrative, legal, professional and social accountability. Analye.
- Delegation to independent agencies has taken place in an interdependent progress driven by emulation. Discuss in the context of independent regulatory agencies in the modern regulatory state.
- Voluntary organizations have become tools of sensitization of governmental agencies. comment.
Paper1: SECTION-B
Q5. (Compulsory) Answer following in 150 words each. (5 x 10 = 50 marks)
- Critically examine the Riggsian concept of differentiation in context of post-globalisation era.
- The term development Administration can be used only in a broad sense to mark the variety of approaches and point of view. Discuss
- The bottom line for governance outcome rather than the outputs of government. Analyse in context of e-government and e-governance.
- “Policies determine politics as governments constrain.” Attempt a critique of this statement.
- Instead of reforms to budgetary process Wildavsky proposes to redefine the role of political institutions and rules by which politics leads to agreement on budget. Explain
Q6. Answer following (20+15+15=50 marks)
- The fact that we call something performance auditing means that we imply salient features which can distinguish it from other forms of enquiry. Discuss with reference to the main majors or indicators of performance measurement.
- The output studies approach to public policy analyses ovestresses the rational techniques and allocative dimension of public policy. Analyse the statement.
- The field of MIS is not necessarily an extension of computer science, but of management and organisation theory. Elucidate
Q7. Answer following (20+15+15=50 marks)
- The technical and multidisciplinary nature of e-governance has created an interdependent relationship within government between policymakers, program administrators and technical specialists. Analyse in context of generalist – specialist relationship
- Self-help groups have not only empowered women, but have also brought about attitudinal change among all stakeholders towards women development. Discuss
- Many African and Asian countries have inherited the colonial idea of civil service as a privileged elite. Hence, the social status of the civil services is an important aspect of the bureaucracy’s unsuitability for change. Comment.
Q8. Answer following (20+15+15=50 marks)
- Identify the main elements of program budgeting, output budgeting and new performance budgeting. What do they have in common with PPBS?
- According to Y.Dror, “the science of modelling through is essentially a reinforcement of pro inertia and anti-innovation ideas in policy-making.” Comment
- British philosophy of Administration is based on a unification of science of Administration with ethics. Analyze.
PubAd: Paper-2 Section-A
Q1. (Compulsory) 150 words x 10 marks each x 5 = 50 marks
- Ethics in public services has been the central concern of Kautilya’s Arthashastra. Critically examine the statement
- discuss the valuable premise of constitutionalism in India which the bureaucracy cannot violate
- 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.
- Despite the adoption of decentralised planning, participatory initiative remain marginalised and divisive live in many regions. Discuss
- 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 administrive, commission). Do you agree? Give reasons to support your arguments.
Q2. 20+20+10 marks
- “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.
- Indian administration is said to be characterised by its three features viz.Weberian structures, Kautilyan practice and Gandhian rhetoric. Examine the statement.
- 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
- gender responsive budgeting has infused greater accountability of planning departments towards women empowerment programs. Examine the statement.
- The Gubernatorial position of the Governor is comfortably placed in the fuzzy area between “withdrawal of the pleasure of the Presiden” and “compelling reasons for removal.” Discuss with some recent examples.
- 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
- management of intergovernmental relations is as important as that of intergovernmental relations. Examine its impact upon the performance of the government.
- 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.
- Critically examine the statement: “Thana (police station) as the last bastion of the waning British administrative legacy in India.”
PubAd: Paper-2 Section-B
Q5. (Compulsory) 150 words x 10 marks each x 5 = 50 marks
- Discuss the changes in the powers of controller and auditor General of India, following a recent Supreme Court judgement concerning a private service provider. #Mrunalarticle=10 marks be counted under Bogus Marketing Propoganda.
- Parliamentary committees bring about accountability and public expenditure. Discuss
- do you think that the role of Panchayati Raj should go beyond development Administration? Give reasons for your answer.
- Police – public relations are a story of insincere efforts made both sides. Elaborate
- 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
- Assess the role of honest and upright civil servants in regulatory and development administration in India. Give examples to substantiate your arguments.
- “Social auditing of flagship programmes of the Central government facilitates the performance of the Comptroller and Auditor-General.” Elaborate the statement with appropriate examples.
- Explain the notion of one hundred ‘smart cities’ and its likely impact on India’s urbanization.
Q7. 20+20+10 marks
- Elaborate the features of the grievance redressal mechanism of the civil services in India. Does this mechanism satisfy the objectives of its creation?
- 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?
- “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
- Discuss the need for civil service neutrality in development administration. Suggest some measures for achieving and strengthening it in practice.
- 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.
- 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.
Other odd optionals
UPSC will upload official paper within 35-40 days, like they did after Mains-2013. So no point in filling RTIs. Just wait and watch. and if you already have the paper then upload on google drive and share link in comments.
Some of the papers were shared by readers such as Mathametics, Electrical Engineering etc. you can find them on following folder:
https://files.secureserver.net/0fiTObWTXNUtV4
Compulsory Hindi, Tamil, Gujarati language
Exam is scheduled on 20th December and I’ve contacts for all three. Will upload tomorrow night on this same page.

Any one pls upload medical sciences paper…
Can Anyone Please Upload Maths Main Paper ??
Thanks In advance
Ankit- maths paper has been uploaded check the link given in this article under title “odd subject papers”.
Sorry for the hassle, I am unable to see any maths paper under title “Odd Subject Papers”.
Can You please paste the link in the comment section ?
Thanks a lot !!
https://files.secureserver.net/0fiTObWTXNUtV4
Sorry got this.
Thanks a ton!!
How to share the paper with mrunal sir,,,I have philo paper
Philosophy paper link https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B8cdrQIUrujVWUZwRkpuVWtQMm1VemMtVDhBODhldmFvNUgw/view?usp=sharing
Thanks Chankaya, will publish this philosophy paper tomorrow.
My pleasure sir…
Pub adm paper was totally out of any scope.
Most BHAYANKAR paper
Please guide how to prepare now for such high level paper
Sociology papet – 2
https://drive.google.com/folder/d/0B2U4KHlms6raVDdnNGJzUUQtaUU/edit
This is the link to the Medical Science Optional – 2014.
https://drive.google.com/folderview?id=0B7oB1WOK0jEnUm9qbUxGS25YZWM&usp=sharing
have fun !
Thanks AJ, will publish this medical paper tomorrow morning.
Mrunal sir history optional paper plzz…
Why does my comments end up in spam. I think yaha koi scam hai. Dekh lo mrunal bhai, I’ll complain this to muffler man
@Jude_Prudence can i get your email id?
Mrunal sir….what is ur opinion on pub ADM…..
please upload Chemistry optional papers friends!!
koi kripya karke sociology paper2 upload kijiye. share karne se hi to site chalegi.
Please provide PDF of Pub Ad optional paper.
Philosophy paper any1??
can some upload the philosophy paper mains 2014
Thanks
@Mrunal
Sir kindly provide for mechanical engineering paper.
sir plz upload chemistry optional 2014 IAS papers
anyone pls upload economics optional question paper….
Plz anyone can upload telugu lit paper
plzz maths optional paper 2 bhi post kardo koi
Sir..please do analysis of pub ad paper…n someone who has written this paper..plz tell ur experience and the sources ,.by seeing questions it gives a feel of making wrong choice by choosing pub ad
Done here to the best of my abilities –
https://mrunalmanage.wpcomstaging.com/2014/12/download-upsc-mains-2014-optional-subjects-question-paper.html/comment-page-1#comments
How was this year paper friends
PLEASE SOMEONE UPLOAD PHYSICS PAPERS……..
Plz can you provide Public Administration Paper…(Original Form)
Mrunal sir pls upload civil engg optional paper
Here is the Civil Engg Papers …. Anup… :)
paper 1
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B1WcW_DjKGAIR0w3dXBzODRlRnM/view?usp=sharing
paper 2
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B1WcW_DjKGAIMzRPejJBQzU1NG8/view?usp=sharing
thank you mr. shiva…
i am also civil engg…
i have some ques. for you
is there anyone who cracked ias with civil engg ?
if yes what was score of him in civil ngg sub
special thanks for mrunal sir
Thanks mrunal bhai for uploading electrical optional
where is Elec. engg. paper
History no longer seems to be a popular optional… Any history optional aspirant alive after yesterday’s ordeal.. ?? :)
Plz koi Public ad ka original Paper upload kar do Mrunal has not provided the link
Sir pub add ka paper hindi medium ka student bhi de raha hai so plz upload in hindi
I am new to Pub Ad prepration
After this year’s question paper can somebody suggest me good reference books. I am buying Ignou material as suggested by Mrunal sir
What else can I refer to. I am engineer by profession and am not taking any coaching for both general studies and optional and preparing on my own. Please help me out. Mrunal sir please throw light on this also
Books – Mohit Bhattacharya, Prasad, IGNOU, Arora(paper-II), oxford companion to indian politics
Need to get the right prism to analyse every significant news development. For ex – Neo-liberalism is a prism through which you can see personnel mgmt(NPM), financial mgmt(outcome budgeting), public policy evaluation criteria, minister-bureaucrat relation, accountability, etc. Democracy is another such prism through which you could analyse everything. With such prisms, analyse the context of key developments.
This should suffice in my view.
Mrunal sir, please arrange Economics optional.
Please upload or send both the paper of Electrical Engineering optional
My email
dev.bhatt@yahoo.co.in
devyansh.bhatt@gmail.com
hi all , i am preparing public administration as my optional , seeing 2014 paper 1 of pubad , i am bit confused regarding the subject . should i continue with it or should i look forward to some other option available in market ? i would like anyone to please comment here who has actually done some in-depth study of the subject . please review the paper and please enlighten me with your expert comments regarding the difficulty level now a days pubad is facing . plus it would be more beneficial if we can do little bit comparative study of the subject with other optionals coz i sincerely believe that gs is now a days has become sort of current based normal questions which a normal office going can answer who has interest in newspaper , the only competition left is with your optional and so you need to have strong hand over your optional subject . hope you are getting my point what i am asking , please help ..regards
Pub Ad is not reliable optional .. ur rank is decided by optional .. choose some good optional
Pub. Admin paper 1 is quite difficult. I have referred to Note of Synergy and 16 test series of VISION IAS. As far as Paper 2 is concerned it is quite easy you can refer laxmnikant -Polity and Mohit Bhattacharya- new Dimension in Public Administration.
Please mention your background.
ARTS people can take- history or Geography
Commerce student must take- Commerce and Accountancy
Science people can opt of – Mathematics or Sociology or Physics