Minimalist IAS
Public Administration

UPSC CSE (Main) 2023 · Optional

Public Administration · Paper I · 2023

28 questions from UPSC's own paper, Administrative Theory.

UPSC's question paper: official PDF ↗ · archived copy ↗

  1. Section A
  2. Q1(a) · 10 marks · 150 words

    Public administration horizons have been expanding to cater to the complex needs of the citizens in the globalized era. Explain.

    1. Introduction Write this answer — get it evaluated →

  3. Q1(b) · 10 marks · 150 words

    Efficiency, in the specialized sense, is an organization's capacity to offer effective inducements in sufficient quantity to maintain the equilibrium of the system. Analyze.

    2. Administrative Thought Write this answer — get it evaluated →

  4. Q1(c) · 10 marks · 150 words

    "The process of decisions......is largely technique of narrowing choices." Explain.

    3. Administrative Behaviour Write this answer — get it evaluated →

  5. Q1(d) · 10 marks · 150 words

    "The judiciary is playing a more positive role in policy formulation, not just in limiting government actions, but also in mandating them." Comment.

    10. Public Policy Write this answer — get it evaluated →

  6. Q1(e) · 10 marks · 150 words

    "Citizen Charter's focus is on empowering citizens concerning public service delivery." Analyze.

    5. Accountability and Control Write this answer — get it evaluated →

  7. Q2(a) · 20 marks

    Follett firmly advocated for cultivating interdependence and collaboration among individuals as the key to resolving conflicts and establishing more harmonious and all encompassing social structures. Discuss.

    2. Administrative Thought Write this answer — get it evaluated →

  8. Q2(b) · 15 marks

    Minnowbrook III emphasized the importance of empirical research in generating valuable insights for public administration and recognized the need to tailor education in the field to different regional contexts. Examine.

    1. Introduction Write this answer — get it evaluated →

  9. Q2(c) · 15 marks

    "Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) have been justified in various ways over time that seek to privatize public services for the profit of private entities." Do you agree?

    4. Organisations Write this answer — get it evaluated →

  10. Q3(a) · 20 marks

    "Organization theory is not a single theory with a loosely knit of many approaches to organizational analysis, and it provides different answers to different situations." Comment.

    4. Organisations Write this answer — get it evaluated →

  11. Q3(b) · 15 marks

    "Intrinsic motivation in comparison to extrinsic motivation leads to enhanced performance and creativity." Examine.

    3. Administrative Behaviour Write this answer — get it evaluated →

  12. Q3(c) · 15 marks

    "The backlash against Right to Information (RTI) by the State hampered the citizen's right to know." Examine and point out the need to amend the RTI Act to provide protection to RTI activists.

    5. Accountability and Control Write this answer — get it evaluated →

  13. Q4(a) · 20 marks

    "Reddin model of leadership added third dimension to the existing two basic dimensions of leadership identified by Ohio Studies and Blake and Mouton." Elucidate.

    3. Administrative Behaviour Write this answer — get it evaluated →

  14. Q4(b) · 15 marks

    "Two-factor theory entails certain factors in workplace resulting in job satisfaction, while others, if absent, lead to dissatisfaction." Discuss.

    3. Administrative Behaviour Write this answer — get it evaluated →

  15. Q4(c) · 15 marks

    "Subordinate legislation has its drawbacks; this does not negate the fact that it is also quite beneficial." Examine.

    6. Administrative Law Write this answer — get it evaluated →

  16. Section B
  17. Q5(a) · 10 marks · 150 words

    "The Constitution of French Republic does not prohibit ministers from being the leader of political party; it is customary that minister should not occupy such a post to ensure impartiality." Explain.

    7. Comparative Public Administration Write this answer — get it evaluated →

  18. Q5(b) · 10 marks · 150 words

    The ultimate goal of using Management Information System (MIS) is to increase values and productivity in organizations. Explain.

    11. Techniques of Administrative Improvement Write this answer — get it evaluated →

  19. Q5(c) · 10 marks · 150 words

    "Cost-benefit analysis is of great help to the policy makers in framing policies and providing advice on developing public policy." Examine.

    10. Public Policy Write this answer — get it evaluated →

  20. Q5(d) · 10 marks · 150 words

    "Monetary policy and fiscal policy are different; but both are used to regulate economy." Discuss.

    12. Financial Administration Write this answer — get it evaluated →

  21. Q5(e) · 10 marks · 150 words

    "Instead of conflicting, the employer-employee relationship should be one of mutual reliance." Explain.

    9. Personnel Administration Write this answer — get it evaluated →

  22. Q6(a) · 20 marks

    "The studies in Comparative Public Administration (CPA) got momentum in 1980's and 1990's with a new objective and orientation than its previous counterparts." Critically examine.

    7. Comparative Public Administration Write this answer — get it evaluated →

  23. Q6(b) · 15 marks

    "In explaining the 'development', Weidner made a distinction between change in the output and change in the system itself; and warned that what is growth from one point of view may decline from another." Comment.

    8. Development Dynamics Write this answer — get it evaluated →

  24. Q6(c) · 15 marks

    "Zero-based budgeting (ZBB) is based on programme efficiency rather than budget history." In the light of this, examine the advantages of ZBB over traditional budget.

    12. Financial Administration Write this answer — get it evaluated →

  25. Q7(a) · 20 marks

    "Public policy-making is an effort to apply the methods of political analysis to policy areas but has concerns with processes inside the bureaucracy and stakeholders." Discuss.

    10. Public Policy Write this answer — get it evaluated →

  26. Q7(b) · 15 marks

    "In career advancement, civil servants are necessitated to political superiors and hence the phenomenon poses the challenges to civil service neutrality." Comment.

    9. Personnel Administration Write this answer — get it evaluated →

  27. Q7(c) · 15 marks

    "Information Communication Technology (ICT) can harness the power of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to execute the policies more intelligently creating an efficient and effective Government." Examine and identify the challenges.

    11. Techniques of Administrative Improvement Write this answer — get it evaluated →

  28. Q8(a) · 20 marks

    "The management of sound public finances used to be the backbone of administrative systems; but unfortunately, it has become the prisoner of populist policies." Critically evaluate.

    12. Financial Administration Write this answer — get it evaluated →

  29. Q8(b) · 15 marks

    "Women empowerment is essential for sustainable development; hence it should not be reflected only in programmes but promoting concrete actions to ensure the participation across institutions and communities." Critically examine.

    8. Development Dynamics Write this answer — get it evaluated →

  30. Q8(c) · 15 marks

    "Training is not a short affair; rather it is a step-by-step process of developing skills, habits, knowledge and aptitude." Elucidate.

    9. Personnel Administration Write this answer — get it evaluated →

Public Administration optional mentorshipA mentor for Paper I and II: weekly one-to-one, four answers marked every week See the plans →