UPSC Public Administration Optional Question Paper 2025
Public Administration Optional Question Paper-1
SECTION ‘A’
- Answer the following questions in about 150 words each:10×5=50
(a) Imperfect market and political factors limit the application of Public Choice approach. Explain. 10
(b) The fine art of decision-making is not making decisions that others can make. Comment. 10
(c) Has the media nixed its role in holding the governments accountable and ensuring transparency? Argue. 10
(d) Is Herbert Simon justified in criticizing some principles of administration as proverbs? Analyse. 10
(e) Administrative Law has evolved from the need to create a system of Public Administration under law. Elucidate. 10 - (a) New Public Management has actually been a transitory state in evolution from traditional Public Administration to what is here called New Public Governance. Examine. 20
(b) Mary Parker Follett pioneered the evolution of socio-psychological approach to the study of organizations. Explain. 15
(c) Under the New Public Management framework ‘Public Private Partnership’ challenges the entropy of closed and open models of organization. Analyse. 15 - (a) In conflict situations in organizations, leadership migrates to the aggresive and relegates the emotionally matured to the background. Discuss. 20
(b) The foundations of Public Administration, New Public Management and Public Governance rest on ‘rule of law’. Discuss. 15
(c) The principles of checks and balances count among the most fundamental constitutional values. Comment. 15 - (a) “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? 20
(b) Leadership is not only about taking credit for success but also owning up and being accountable for failures. Elucidate. 15
(c) Bureaucracy constitutes the imaginary state and is the spiritualism of the State. Explain. 15
SECTION ‘B’
- Answer the following questions in about 150 words each:10×5=50
(a) E-advocacy model of e-governance can facilitate democratization of public policy making. Discuss. 10
(b) Neo-liberal policies have enhanced the scope and opportunities of taxation for the government. Explain. 10
(c) Policy analysis process is limited if possible outcomes and alternate potential policies are neglected. Discuss. 10
(d) Values and ethics in civil services are shaped by global practices and trends. Explain. 10
(e) Economic development alone is not a sufficient component for women development and empowerment. Discuss. 10 - (a) F. W. Riggs’s ‘industria’-interdependent economy is a precursor for some features of post-modern Public Administration. Analyse. 20
(b) The role and responsibility of the State in the development process has been overemphasized and given undue importance. Critically examine. 15
(c) Affirmative action for equal opportunity is a corner-stone in recruitment to public services. Discuss it in global context. 15 - (a) The objective of Liberalization, Privatization and Globalization and of New Public Management was to limit government functions and reduce public expenditure. However both functions and expenditure has increased. Account for the paradox. 20
(b) The basis of comparative study of Public Administration has evolved from institutional approach to the contemporary political economic process approach. Have all these approaches enabled the development of a theory of Comparative Public Administration? Justify your answer. 15
(c) Can competency mapping linked to career development incentivise civil servants commitment to effective service delivery? Elaborate. 15 - (a) The effectiveness of civil society in development process is only when state institutions are receptive to inputs from the civil society organizations. Discuss. 20
(b) Evaluate the role and scope of tacit knowledge and personal experience as an important source of knowledge in policy making process. 15
(c) The efficacy of management aid tools depends on the purpose and appropriateness of tools and techniques. Explain with examples. 15
Public Administration Optional Question Paper-2
SECTION ‘A’
- Answer the following in about 150 words each:10×5=50
(a) Arthashastra of Kautilya means the science of economics of livelihood of the people. Comment.
(b) Trace the reasons for limited effectiveness of the NITI Aayog.
(c) Highlight the constitutional provisions and judicial interventions to promote gender equality in India.
(d) In contemporary times, the District Collector should prioritize teamwork over hierarchical structures. Comment.
(e) Examine the significance of field organizations in enhancing policy implementation of projects like MGNREGA and Swachh Bharat Mission. - (a) “The colonial legacy is responsible for many administrative problems in independent India as the role of company agents and traders evolved into Magistrates, Governors and Civil Servants.” Analyze. 20
(b) Despite 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. 20
(c) Divergent political interests and financial constraints hinder the spirit of ‘cooperative federalism’. Comment. 10 - (a) While the Constitution offers a strong framework for decentralized and accountable governance, the real test lies in how institutions, civil society and citizens uphold constitutional values in practice. Examine. 20
(b) Liberalization of Indian economy has forced public enterprises to enhance their efficiency, but the effects of these reforms have been a topic of debate. Analyze. 20
(c) Centre-State administrative relations are a matter of debate as constitutional provisions created a strong Centre. Discuss. 10 - (a) Experience of various States suggests that reorganization of districts was prompted more by politico-populist convenience rather than ease of administration. Discuss. 20
(b) Lack of clear demarcation of roles between the State Secretariat and the Directorate has serious implications for policy making and policy implementation. Do you agree? 20
(c) Decentralized planning in India signifies a shift towards context-sensitive development, but inadequate resources and local politics complicate the realization of social justice goals. Comment. 10
SECTION ‘B’
- Answer the following in about 150 words each:10×5=50
(a) Low cyber awareness among officials is causing cyber security issues in the administration. Comment.
(b) The ‘guillotine’ hastens the budgetary process to meet the timeline. Evaluate the procedure.
(c) New localism plays aa crucial role in empowering the local actors. Expand.
(d) Gram Sabha aims to enlist community participation. Explain.
(e) Identify the implementation challenges and issues of the Government e-Marketplace (GeМ). - (a) Centralized Public Grievance Redress and Monitoring System (CPGRAMS) does not effectively address local level issues. Give your opinion. 20
(b) Do you think ‘Aadhaar’ initiative has promoted inclusive governance and administrative credibility? Throw light. 20
(c) Smart Policing and Community Policing programmes have been initiated to address socio-technological challenges in law and order. Discuss. 10 - (a) Many elected women representatives in local governments in India, especially from marginalized backgrounds, often struggle to govern effectively. Examine. 20
(b) Budget is the pivot around which the whole financial administration revolves. Discuss the socio-economic and political implications of budget. 20
(c) Assess the role of Government Process Reengineering (GPR) in promoting good governance. 10 - (a) Metropolitan cities are providing major portions of national wealth, but their governance is fraught with intricate institutional relationships. Explain. 20
(b) Training and capacity building represent different scope and objectives. Explain the key differences. 20
(c) Artificial Intelligence (AI) has emerged as an innovative tool in disaster management. Illustrate with examples. 10