Public Administration Optional · Paper I · Administrative Theory
Administrative Law Notes · PYQs
Free notes and every UPSC previous year question for Administrative Law, Unit 06 of Paper I: the official syllabus, 3 topic-wise notes in syllabus order, and all 48 questions from 1987 to 2026 grouped by sub-topic.
3
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48
Questions listed
21
Asked since 2013
1987–2026
Years covered
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Syllabus Free notes Previous year questions All Public Administration units
Official UPSC syllabus
Administrative Law: syllabus
The syllabus text as UPSC notifies it for Paper I of Public Administration Optional. Every note and question on this page maps to it.
Meaning, scope and significance; Dicey on Administrative law; Delegated legislation; Administrative Tribunals.
Paper I · Unit 06
Administrative Law notes
Topic-wise notes for this unit in syllabus order, written for UPSC Mains with diagrams, key terms, Indian examples and the previous year questions on each topic.
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Previous year questions: Administrative Law
All 48 questions UPSC has set from this unit between 1987 and 2026, grouped by syllabus sub-topic and sorted newest first. Questions from 2013 onwards are shown; earlier ones open on a tap.
How often UPSC asks each sub-topic
| Sub-topic | Questions | Since 2013 | Last asked |
|---|---|---|---|
| Meaning, scope and significance | 20 | 8 | 2025 |
| Dicey | 6 | 2 | 2026 |
| Delegated legislation | 15 | 7 | 2026 |
| Administrative Tribunals | 7 | 4 | 2024 |
Meaning, scope and significance
20 questions · 8 since 2013 · last asked 2025
Read the notes: Administrative Law
Asked since 2013 · 8
2025Administrative Law has evolved from the need to create a system of Public Administration under law. Elucidate.2025The principles of checks and balances count among the most fundamental constitutional values. Comment.2020“Arbitrariness in the application of rule of law is a primary cause of poor governance.” Discuss.2020“Developments in the field of Administrative Law reflect an increasingly blurred boundary between the state and society, and between justice and administration.” Has administrative law become more constitutional than the Constitution itself? Argue.2019“Red light and Green light theories provide contrasting approaches to the role of administrative law.” Which of the two theories will be effective in achieving the objectives of administrative law? Justify your choice.2017“Administrative Law is recognised by its substance rather than its form.” Discuss.2016The central concern of Administrative Law has been the legal limitation of administrative discretion.” Give reasons.2014“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 than the constitutions.” How would you justify the statement?
Show 12 earlier questions (before 2013)
1989–2012 · 12 questions
2012Would you agree that the strong Rechsstaat version of the rule of law found on the Continent never existed in England because of its particular history?2012Why is le droit administrative regarded alongside the Napoleonic Code as the most notable achievement of French legal science?2006“Today the content of administrative law is driven primarily by the scope of public administrative activity.” Explain.2005“Today the content of administrative law is driven primarily by the scope of public administration activity.” Explain.1998“Administrative Law in modern government system is inevitable.” Comment.1997The central concern of administrative law has been the legal limitation of administrative ‘discretion.’ Comment.1995The field of administrative law, after a century of litigation & adjudication, remains alive with simmering issues. Comment.1994“Administrative law is not a rigid, rule-bound barrier to good management.” Discuss.1993How has the interest of judiciary in administrative decisions grown over the years? Has it extended the frontiers of administrative law?1992‘Rule of law is the base of India’s constitutional life, and administrative law seeks to ensure that this basic premise remains upheld and protected.’ Comment.1990‘…… administrative law, with its creature administrative tribunals, is like martial law, the negation of law.’ Comment.1989“Administrative Law has the obligation to observe the principles of natural justice and fairness.” Elaborate.
Dicey
6 questions · 2 since 2013 · last asked 2026
Read the notes: Administrative Law
Asked since 2013 · 2
2026“Dicey’s three principles of the ‘Rule of Law’ have been further developed to meet the immense needs of a democratic society.” Discuss.2018“The Journey of Administrative Law has moved much beyond A. V. Dicey.” Comment.
Show 4 earlier questions (before 2013)
1987–2012 · 4 questions
2012Do you think that there is an unresolved and often overlooked tension in Dicey’s concept of rule of law, considering that the other principle of parliamentary sovereignty in English constitutional system runs counter to it?2011Make a critical assessment of Dicey’s understanding of the Rule of Law and Droit Administratif.2002“Dicey was wrong not only in his concept of the rule of law, but he also overlooked the significance of the administrative law.” – Comment.1987‘The Droit Administratiff violates Dicey’s basic principles of Rule of Law.’ Comment.
Delegated legislation
15 questions · 7 since 2013 · last asked 2026
Read the notes: Delegated Legislation
Asked since 2013 · 7
2026Examine the tension between the functional efficiency of delegated legislation and the risks it poses to accountability and the rule of law.2025“Delegated legislation should be clear and should confine to the limits determined by the legislature.” In light of the statement explain how misuse of administrative discretion can be checked?2023“Subordinate legislation has its drawbacks; this does not negate the fact that it is also quite beneficial.” Examine.2022‘The administrative state is the creation of a power to bind us, with rules … that are not made by legislature.’ Discuss the constitutionality of the administrative state and its future.2019“Delegated legislation has become a strategic tool in the hands of the executive despite its utility.” Comment.2017The principle of delegated legislation is, I think right, but I must emphasise that it is well for Parliament to keep a watchful and even zealous eye on it at all stages “- (Herbert Morrison) Analyze.2015“Delegated Legislation is a necessary evil.” Comment.
Show 8 earlier questions (before 2013)
1992–2011 · 8 questions
2011Make out a case for Delegated Legislation.2007“Delegated legislation is a necessary evil.” Examine.2004Delegated Legislation is not absolute. Explain.1999“Increased delegated legislation is a phenomenon of a modern positive state.” Elucidate.1997How fae is it true to state that delegated legislation has become a present day necessity and it has come to stay, it is both inevitable and indispensable?1995Bring out the reasons for the growth and the dangers of delegated legislation.1993“The most effective safeguard against the abuse of delegated legislation is not to delegate it in such a manner that it may invite abuse.” Comment.1992‘Increased legislative delegation should be considered as a phenomenon of the modern positive state.’ Discuss.
Administrative Tribunals
7 questions · 4 since 2013 · last asked 2024
Read the notes: Administrative Tribunals
Asked since 2013 · 4
2024The development of administrative law in Welfare State has made administrative tribunals a necessity. Examine.2022All tribunals are courts, but all courts are not tribunals. Explain.2021Judicial review, prevention of misuse or abuse of administrative power and provision of suitable remedies are the basic principles of administrative law. Justify as how various organs of the State are able to uphold these principles.2013Discuss the views that ‘tribunals should have the same degree of independence from the executive as that enjoyed by the Supreme Court and the High Courts, especially for those tribunals that look over the functions of High Courts.”
Show 3 earlier questions (before 2013)
1988–2000 · 3 questions
2000Write short note on Effectiveness and utility of Central and State Administrative Tribunals.1991Administrative Tribunals are authorities outside the ordinary court system which interpret and apply the laws when acts of Public Administration are attacked in formal suits or by other established methods.’ Discuss.1988Administrative tribunals and judicial review are not only instruments of interpretation of law but also safeguards against administrative weaknesses and administrative excesses. Comment.
Year-wise question papers
All question papers Topic-wise PYQ bank (both papers) Topic-wise PYQ post: Administrative Law 2026 paper 2025 paper 2024 paper 2023 paper
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