Public Administration Optional · Paper II · Indian Administration

State Government and Administration Notes · PYQs

Free notes and every UPSC previous year question for State Government and Administration, Unit 06 of Paper II: the official syllabus, 4 topic-wise notes in syllabus order, and all 76 questions from 1987 to 2026 grouped by sub-topic.

4

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76

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39

Asked since 2013

1987–2026

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Syllabus Free notes Previous year questions All Public Administration units

Official UPSC syllabus

State Government and Administration: syllabus

The syllabus text as UPSC notifies it for Paper II of Public Administration Optional. Every note and question on this page maps to it.

Union-State administrative, legislative and financial relations; Role of the Finance Commission; Governor; Chief Minister; Council of Ministers; Chief Secretary; State Secretariat; Directorates.

Paper II · Unit 06

State Government and Administration 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.

Free notes

Free practice

Previous year questions: State Government and Administration

All 76 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-topicQuestionsSince 2013Last asked
Union–State relations32182026
Finance Commission1172024
Governor1482026
Chief Minister312023
Legislature and Council of Ministers222017
Chief Secretary822022
State Secretariat312025
Directorates302001

Union–State relations

32 questions · 18 since 2013 · last asked 2026
Read the notes: Union–State Relations

Asked since 2013 · 18

  • 2026Competitive federalism in India while intended to have healthy competition among states has shown tendencies towards parochialism. Comment.
  • 2026Doctrine of Pith and Substance, and the Doctrine of severability in the legislative relations between the Indian Union and states are supplementary in nature but distinct in application. Discuss.
  • 2026Public debt of states in India has increased significantly in the last one decade. In this context discuss the constraints of the states in planning prudent fiscal management.
  • 2025Despite the division of subjects, the Union Government contributes towards subjects in the State and Concurrent Lists. Discuss its pros and cons in the light of fiscal federalism.
  • 2025Centre-State administrative relations are a matter of debate as constitutional provisions created a strong Centre. Discuss.
  • 2025Divergent political interests and financial constraints hinder the spirit of ‘cooperative federalism’. Comment.
  • 2024“Implementation of Goods and Services Tax (GST) has led to a Paradigm shift in the centre-state relations, both financially and politically.” Analyse.
  • 2024“Centre-state relations are undergoing a drastic change.” Elaborate.
  • 2022Analyse the specific areas of controversies with regard to Union-State financial relations, particularly in the context of one nation – one tax policy.
  • 2020Even if all the States combine together, they cannot have their way in the decision-making in the GST Council, unless the Union agrees to it. Analyze this in the perspective of federalism in India.
  • 2019Article 356 acts, “very much like the proverbial bolt from the blue…. without giving an opportunity or notice to the State Government to correct its alleged shortcomings”. This phenomenon not only undermines the autonomy of the State Government, but also demeans the status of the President of India. Critically analyze.
  • 2017“Implementation of Goods and Services Tax (GST) has led to a paradigm shift in the Centre-State relations, both financially and politically.” Analyse with examples.
  • 2016Examine the efficacy of the measures taken to redefine and execute cooperative federalism in India.
  • 2016“Introduction of G.S.T. (Goods and Services Tax) no doubt has economic benefits, but tends to compromise the States’ inherent right to impose taxes.” In this context, comment on the changing nature of Union-State financial relations.
  • 2015Briefly discuss the main recommendations of the Punchhi Commission on Centre-State relations for transforming Indian Federal System.
  • 2015Comment on the recent changes in the approach and methodology of devolution of responsibilities and transfer of funds from the Union to the States.
  • 2014“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 administrative, commission). Do you agree? Give reasons to support your arguments.
  • 2013“There is a tendency of centralism in Indian federalism, but it is not because of its institutional framework but because of its socialist goals and centrally devised plan development.” Explain the statement in the context of Union-State relationship.
Show 14 earlier questions (before 2013)

1987–2008 · 14 questions

  • 2008What are the tension areas in Union-State relations in Planning?
  • 2007There is a separate Central Ministry or Department on each subject allocated to State List. Does it mean supremacy of the Union Government or an emphasis on development administration? Analyse.
  • 2006“The main problem of Centre-State relations in India is bottenecks in fiscal federalism.” Comment.
  • 2004“One of the greatest weakness inherent in a Federal polity is the possibility of conflict of loyalty and responsibility on the part of public servants as between Central and State Government.” – Elaborate and comment.
  • 2000“Among several other problems, the problem of financial relationship is perhaps the most complex one.” Explain in the context of recent developments in Union-State relations in India.
  • 1999“The legislative and executive powers of the States are comprehensive, but the exercise of these powers are subject to regulation, abridgement and even suspension by the Union.” Comment.
  • 1997“The States are constitutionally obliged to ensure that the laws passed by Parliament are implemented.” Explain the constitutional position fully.
  • 1997“The legislative relations between Union and State governments are more biased towards Union government.” Comment.
  • 1996“The Union-State financial relation, as provided in the Constitution, are biased towards Union Government in the context of borrowing.” Comment.
  • 1994Critically review the constitutional provisions relating to centre-state administrative relations in India during normal times within the framework of a normative federal system.
  • 1991‘In the case of the centre-tit in the administrative relations between Centre and State, neither the Causes are unknown nor are they incurable.’ Discuss and Suggest measures to improve this relationship.
  • 1990‘The planning commission of India in the post-Nehru period has conduced to better Centre-State relations, but (it has) not necessarily brought about depoliticization of the planning process.’ Discuss and illustrate.
  • 1988Discuss the various facets of the All India Services and examine the emerging patterns of Conflict and Co-operation between the Union and the State in Indian Federalism.
  • 1987Discuss the financial and administrative relationships obtaining between the Union and the States in India. Do you think States have been reduced to a position of glorified municipalities?

Finance Commission

11 questions · 7 since 2013 · last asked 2024
Read the notes: Finance Commission and Fiscal Federalism

Asked since 2013 · 7

  • 2024“The role of State Finance Commission in distribution of finances between state and local governments is vital.” Discuss.
  • 2023Is it true that the Finance Commission has been lending Financial strength to the local bodies in India? Argue in favour of your response.
  • 2022The recommendations of National Finance Commissions are more norms based than the need based. In the light of this statement analyse the terms of references of 15th National Finance Commission.
  • 2021As a constitutionally mandated body the Finance Commission stands at the centre of fiscal federalism. Evaluate the role of Finance Commission in ensuring just and equitable resource sharing among the states and the union.
  • 2019Efforts to strengthen State Finance Commissions have faced apathy of State Governments over the years, which has also affected the successive Central Finance Commissions in recommending appropriate fiscal transfers to local bodies. Substantiate the answer with examples.
  • 2018Critically examine the criteria adopted by the 15th Finance Commission for allocation of resources to States. What have been the major issues of contention since the 10th Finance Commission?
  • 2016“The objectives of fiscal devolution to local bodies as mandated by the 73rd and 74th Constitutional Amendment Acts has been derailed by the actual working of the State Finance Commissions.” Comment.
Show 4 earlier questions (before 2013)

1992–2010 · 4 questions

  • 2010States with a record of good governance, it is argued by spokesperson of some states, lost their earlier share from the Finance Commission’s award. Comment.
  • 1996“After the creation of the Planning Commission, the role of the Finance Commission has started diminishing.” Review the statement.
  • 1993“The concept of Fiscal Federalism calls for the National Development Council to regulate plan decisions about discretionary grants-in-aid, which should in fact be distributed by the Finance Commission.” Comment
  • 1992‘The jurisdictions of Planning Commission and Finance Commission overlap and together the two circumscribe the Sovereign character of Indian Parliament.’ Comment.

Governor

14 questions · 8 since 2013 · last asked 2026
Read the notes: Governor, Chief Minister and Council of Ministers

Asked since 2013 · 8

  • 2026Trace the reasons for growing incidences of disagreements between the Governors and state governments.
  • 2024“There has been a strain in relations between Governor and State governments in the recent past.” Examine.
  • 2021The role of the Governor is of a sagacious counsellor, mediator and arbitrator rather than that of an active politician. In this context, examine the role of the Governor in state politics in India.
  • 2019Various commissions have reiterated the crucial role of the Governor in Indian system of governance, but the successive governments have not heeded to make the Governor’s office apolitical. Examine with examples.
  • 2018“In the coalition era with elusive majority of a single party in the State Legislature, the role of the Governor becomes even more challenging.” Discuss.
  • 2015“In very recent time, the role of the State Governor is found to be more of diplomatic than administrative nature.” Comment on the statement with suitable examples.
  • 2014“The gubernatorial position of the Governor is comfortably placed in the fuzzy area between ‘Withdrawal of the pleasure of the President’ and ‘Compelling reasons for removal’.” Discuss with some recent examples.
  • 2013Is there a need to dispense with the Office of the Governor? Examine in the context of coalition governments.
Show 6 earlier questions (before 2013)

1996–2012 · 6 questions

  • 2012‘The authority of the Governor in the discretionary field is not unrestrained. If it is misused … the President can check him/her and if necessary, he may even remove the Governor.’ Examine this statement critically in the context of the Office of the Governor.
  • 2007“Because of several judicial pronouncements, Governors in States are no longer viewed as agents of the ‘Power’ at the Central level.” Evaluate.
  • 2004“The position of Governors towards exercising their discretion and powers has considerably changed after 1967.” Discuss.
  • 2003“Article 163 makes the Governor the sole judge in matters in which he is required to act in his discretion.” Explain.
  • 1999“It would be a gross fallacy to regard the institution of the Governor as a faint presence like a full moon at midday.” Comment.
  • 1996“The Governor of a State wears two hats, and therefore, dilemmas have arisen in practice.” Comment.

Chief Minister

3 questions · 1 since 2013 · last asked 2023
Read the notes: Governor, Chief Minister and Council of Ministers

Asked since 2013 · 1

  • 2023“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.
Show 2 earlier questions (before 2013)

2005–2008 · 2 questions

  • 2008‘The Chief Minister is the real executive of the State, whose effectiveness is largely related to his personality traits and equation with central leadership.’ Explain and illustrate with relevant examples.
  • 2005“The Chief Minister symbolizes ruling power structure and is the real executive head of the State Government.” Discuss the above statement in the light of his position in a Coalition Government.

Legislature and Council of Ministers

2 questions · 2 since 2013 · last asked 2017
Read the notes: Governor, Chief Minister and Council of Ministers

Asked since 2013 · 2

  • 2017“The position of the council of ministers in a state is reduced to that of a body of secretaries in the presence of a domineering chief minister.” Critically analyse with examples.
  • 2016“Legislatures have become a place for infighting rather than for proper policy making.” Comment in the context of the Working of State Governments.

Chief Secretary

8 questions · 2 since 2013 · last asked 2022
Read the notes: Chief Secretary, State Secretariat and Directorates

Asked since 2013 · 2

  • 2022“The Chief Secretary is the chief communication link between the state and central government”. Explain.
  • 2017“The chief secretary is often termed as the alter ego of the Chief Minister.” Discuss, with examples, the dynamics of their relationships in State administration.
Show 6 earlier questions (before 2013)

1987–2012 · 6 questions

  • 2012“The success and prestige enjoyed by a Chief Secretary depend, to a large extent, upon his equations with the varied sets of people and institutions that form the work environment.” Critically evaluate the statement and its relevance to the role of the Chief Secretary in the discharge of his functions.
  • 2004“The highly significant and elevated position of Chief Secretary is significantly undermined in practice today.” Comment.
  • 2000“In the Chief Secretary, the State Government has an officer whose counterpart does not obtain in the Union Government.” Elucidate.
  • 1994“By virtue of his unique position as head of the official machinery and adviser to the State Council of Ministers, the Chief Secretary has an extremely important role to play in the state administration.” Comment.
  • 1989‘The Office of the Chief Secretary should be rotated among the top Civil Servants in the State Administration.’ Comment.
  • 1987‘The role of the Chief Secretary as Principal Co-ordinator in State administration is comparable with that of the Cabinet Secretary in Union Government.’ Do you agree or not? Give reasons.

State Secretariat

3 questions · 1 since 2013 · last asked 2025
Read the notes: Chief Secretary, State Secretariat and Directorates

Asked since 2013 · 1

  • 2025Lack of clear demarcation of roles between the State Secretariat and the Directorate has serious implications for policy making and policy implementation. Do you agree?
Show 2 earlier questions (before 2013)

1990–2007 · 2 questions

  • 2007“The dispute between Secretariat and Directorate is the result of Generalist vs Specialist controversy.” Analyse.
  • 1990‘The Secretariat in State Government is an anachronism held over from the British regime. The sooner the secretariat disappears from the State administrative scene, the better it would be in the interests of improvement of administrative efficiency and promotion of equity between the officials at the levels of the secretariat and the Executive Departments.’ Comment.

Directorates

3 questions · 0 since 2013 · last asked 2001
Read the notes: Chief Secretary, State Secretariat and Directorates

1989–2001 · 3 questions

  • 2001“State Directorates are administrative and implementation units assisting the Departments functioning from the Secretariat.” Explain.
  • 1993“The Departments, the directorates, the corporations, the companies and the Boards have different organisational purposes and statutory functions in State administration.” Discuss.
  • 1989‘The Directorates in the departments of State Administration serve very little functional purpose.’ Comment.

Year-wise question papers

All question papers Topic-wise PYQ bank (both papers) Topic-wise PYQ post: State Government and Administration 2026 paper 2025 paper 2024 paper 2023 paper

Next · Paper II · Unit 07

District Administration since Independence

Changing role of the Collector; Union–State–local relations; development management and law and order; democratic decentralisation.

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Public Administration Optional

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