UPSC CSE (Main) 2023 · Optional
Public Administration · Paper II · 2023
28 questions from UPSC's own paper, Indian Administration.
UPSC's question paper: official PDF ↗ · archived copy ↗
- Section A
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Q1(a) · 10 marks · 150 words
"Kautilya's Arthashastra is a theoretical work on the State and Statecraft." Comment.
1. Evolution of Indian Administration Write this answer — get it evaluated →
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Q1(b) · 10 marks · 150 words
Critics, sometimes, argue that bureaucracy is an impediment to a nation's development. Analyse.
2. Philosophical and Constitutional framework of Government Write this answer — get it evaluated →
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Q1(c) · 10 marks · 150 words
The Ninety-First Constitutional Amendment Act successfully right-sized the Council of Ministers both at Union and State levels. Comment.
6. State Government and Administration Write this answer — get it evaluated →
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Q1(d) · 10 marks · 150 words
Is it true that the Finance Commission has been lending financial strength to the local bodies in India? Argue in favour of your response.
6. State Government and Administration Write this answer — get it evaluated →
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Q1(e) · 10 marks · 150 words
"Parliamentary democracy in India envisages elected head as the real executive of a State." Discuss.
6. State Government and Administration Write this answer — get it evaluated →
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Q2(a) · 20 marks
"Indian Prime Minister is more empowered than his British counterpart in the Westminster model of democracy." Elucidate.
4. Union Government and Administration Write this answer — get it evaluated →
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Q2(b) · 20 marks
Post-amendment period Panchayats have become a platform of competitive politics, but could not emerge as an agency of planning and service delivery. Examine.
11. Rural Development Write this answer — get it evaluated →
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Q2(c) · 10 marks
Former Chief Justice of India, Dipak Misra observed : "An efficient judiciary is the hallmark of a great nation." Comment.
4. Union Government and Administration Write this answer — get it evaluated →
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Q3(a) · 20 marks
India has significantly advanced in its development goals, increased efficiency in the public sector and unlocked innovation in private sector by adopting the approach of building Digital Public Infrastructure. Elucidate.
14. Significant issues in Indian Administration Write this answer — get it evaluated →
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Q3(b) · 20 marks
"Attempts to prepare unified and holistic plans for the country are complex and full of challenges." Discuss.
5. Plans and Priorities Write this answer — get it evaluated →
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Q3(c) · 10 marks
"Excessive political interference in development process has become a cause of concern in achieving national goals." Examine.
2. Philosophical and Constitutional framework of Government Write this answer — get it evaluated →
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Q4(a) · 20 marks
"There shall be Council of Ministers with the Chief Minister at the head to aid and advise the Governor in the exercise of his functions, except ....." This constitutional provision is being intensively debated nowadays. Elucidate.
6. State Government and Administration Write this answer — get it evaluated →
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Q4(b) · 20 marks
There is a need to redefine and realign the functions of the Deputy Commissioner/District Collector. Elaborate.
7. District Administration since Independence Write this answer — get it evaluated →
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Q4(c) · 10 marks
Examine Project Bharatmala - Road to Prosperity - launched in 2017.
5. Plans and Priorities Write this answer — get it evaluated →
- Section B
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Q5(a) · 10 marks · 150 words
The district training component of Induction Training of IAS officers requires to be revisited. Examine.
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Q5(b) · 10 marks · 150 words
"Mission Antyodaya strives to realize the vision of poverty-free India." Examine.
11. Rural Development Write this answer — get it evaluated →
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Q5(c) · 10 marks · 150 words
The dynamics of coalitions vary with the nature of leadership, political parties and contemporary political conditions. Analyze.
14. Significant issues in Indian Administration Write this answer — get it evaluated →
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Q5(d) · 10 marks · 150 words
Computerization of treasuries has revolutionized the accounting and budget planning process. Comment.
9. Financial Management Write this answer — get it evaluated →
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Q5(e) · 10 marks · 150 words
Do you agree that code of ethics and code of conduct for ministers would help in upholding higher standards of their constitutional and ethical conduct? Explain.
14. Significant issues in Indian Administration Write this answer — get it evaluated →
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Q6(a) · 20 marks
"Civil Service Reforms along with a transparent transfer policy will go a long way in insulating civil servants from undesired political pulls and pressures." Discuss.
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Q6(b) · 20 marks
"The withdrawal of AFSPA from Tripura has sent a positive signal across the State and North-Eastern Region." Do you think that now it is an appropriate time to take a more rational policy decision in this matter.
13. Law and Order Administration Write this answer — get it evaluated →
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Q6(c) · 10 marks
The Swachh Bharat Abhiyan is by far the most significant cleanliness campaign by the Government of India. Comment.
11. Rural Development Write this answer — get it evaluated →
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Q7(a) · 20 marks
Accountability of the Executive to the Parliament in the domain of financial administration is secured through CAG reports. Discuss.
9. Financial Management Write this answer — get it evaluated →
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Q7(b) · 20 marks
The government response to the Supreme Court's judgement on Police Reforms has been lackadaisical. The reasons are multiple and multidimensional. Discuss.
13. Law and Order Administration Write this answer — get it evaluated →
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Q7(c) · 10 marks
Disasters can push the world's poorest deeper into poverty. Do you think that a comprehensive strategy to deal with such vulnerabilities is required?
14. Significant issues in Indian Administration Write this answer — get it evaluated →
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Q8(a) · 20 marks
In the context of the Second Administrative Reforms Commission recommendations, evaluate Public-Private Partnership (PPP) as a preferred mode of implementing infrastructural projects.
10. Administrative Reforms since Independence Write this answer — get it evaluated →
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Q8(b) · 20 marks
In 2011, India ratified the United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC). Evaluate the existing legal framework for fulfilling this commitment.
14. Significant issues in Indian Administration Write this answer — get it evaluated →
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Q8(c) · 10 marks
Shyama Prasad Mukherji Rurban Mission is a cluster-based approach of converging rural development efforts of different departments of the government. Comment.
11. Rural Development Write this answer — get it evaluated →