UPSC CSE (Main) 2024 · Optional
Public Administration · Paper I · 2024
28 questions from UPSC's own paper, Administrative Theory.
UPSC's question paper: official PDF ↗ · archived copy ↗
- Section A
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Q1(a) · 10 marks · 150 words
"Politics-administration dichotomy debate is still alive." Comment.
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Q1(b) · 10 marks · 150 words
"Formal organisations are made up of informal groups." Discuss.
2. Administrative Thought Write this answer — get it evaluated →
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Q1(c) · 10 marks · 150 words
"Grapevine is a necessary evil." Examine.
3. Administrative Behaviour Write this answer — get it evaluated →
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Q1(d) · 10 marks · 150 words
Healthy Headquarters and Field Agencies relationship thrives on effective communication. Comment.
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Q1(e) · 10 marks · 150 words
Media has become more of a societal lens than institutional lens. Analyse.
5. Accountability and Control Write this answer — get it evaluated →
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Q2(a) · 20 marks
McGregor's 'Theory X' and 'Theory Y' provide insights into human motivation at workplace differently. Examine in detail.
2. Administrative Thought Write this answer — get it evaluated →
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Q2(b) · 15 marks
Good governance adds normative and evaluative attributes to the process of governing. Comment.
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Q2(c) · 15 marks
Regulatory Authorities are independent and effective for controlling service delivery activities, but are subjected to extraneous factors. Do you agree? Give reasons.
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Q3(a) · 20 marks
Strengthening social audit through appropriate ways will promote inclusive government. Comment.
5. Accountability and Control Write this answer — get it evaluated →
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Q3(b) · 15 marks
The development of administrative law in Welfare State has made administrative tribunals a necessity. Examine.
6. Administrative Law Write this answer — get it evaluated →
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Q3(c) · 15 marks
Ineffectiveness of legislative control over administration can stem from various factors, hence in ensuring effectiveness a comprehensive approach is the need of the hour. Discuss.
5. Accountability and Control Write this answer — get it evaluated →
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Q4(a) · 20 marks
ERG theory of motivation attempts to reconceptualise the theory of Hierarchy of Needs. Comment.
3. Administrative Behaviour Write this answer — get it evaluated →
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Q4(b) · 15 marks
Scientific Management and Human Relations theory are two distinct approaches for improving efficiency and production. Explain.
2. Administrative Thought Write this answer — get it evaluated →
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Q4(c) · 15 marks
New Public Governance, an emerging paradigm, is contrasted with market-based approach of New Public Management. Comment.
- Section B
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Q5(a) · 10 marks · 150 words
The Anti-Development Thesis is a critical perspective on the traditional development models. Comment.
8. Development Dynamics Write this answer — get it evaluated →
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Q5(b) · 10 marks · 150 words
Civil Servants should be allowed only to cast vote or to participate in the electoral process of the country. Examine.
9. Personnel Administration Write this answer — get it evaluated →
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Q5(c) · 10 marks · 150 words
Critical Path Method (CPM) is a project management technique used to plan and manage project effectively. Discuss.
11. Techniques of Administrative Improvement Write this answer — get it evaluated →
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Q5(d) · 10 marks · 150 words
Auditing is not about finding faults, it is about ensuring the accuracy and integrity of financial information. Analyse.
12. Financial Administration Write this answer — get it evaluated →
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Q5(e) · 10 marks · 150 words
The study of Public Administration must include its ecology. Discuss.
7. Comparative Public Administration Write this answer — get it evaluated →
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Q6(a) · 20 marks
A trend to adopt innovative practices in administrative ethics is gaining ground for improving public trust in government. Discuss.
9. Personnel Administration Write this answer — get it evaluated →
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Q6(b) · 15 marks
The future of e-governance is shaped by emerging trends for making government services efficient and accessible. Analyse.
11. Techniques of Administrative Improvement Write this answer — get it evaluated →
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Q6(c) · 15 marks
Undoubtedly, social and historical factors play a significant role in shaping administrative system, but side by side, understanding of these influences is essential for designing responsive governance structure. Examine.
7. Comparative Public Administration Write this answer — get it evaluated →
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Q7(a) · 20 marks
Riggs' Prismatic Model has been criticised as overly gloomy and technical complex, but it remains as a useful starting point for Comparative Public Administration research. Analyse.
7. Comparative Public Administration Write this answer — get it evaluated →
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Q7(b) · 15 marks
Performance Management and Performance Appraisal are two distinct activities in Public Personnel Administration. Discuss.
9. Personnel Administration Write this answer — get it evaluated →
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Q7(c) · 15 marks
Balancing State intervention and Market freedom is the need of developing countries. Comment.
8. Development Dynamics Write this answer — get it evaluated →
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Q8(a) · 20 marks
Bureaucracy in developing countries faces several challenges and tackling of these will make them more responsive, adaptive and align with development needs. Discuss.
8. Development Dynamics Write this answer — get it evaluated →
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Q8(b) · 15 marks
Modern economists think public debt is an essential means of increasing employment, and element of economic policy, but it also shifts the burden to future generations. Analyse.
12. Financial Administration Write this answer — get it evaluated →
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Q8(c) · 15 marks
Unless there is a sound mechanism for policy evaluation, policy formulation process remains redundant. Examine.