Topic: Public/Civil service values and Ethics in Public administration: Status and problems; ethical concerns and dilemmas in government and private institutions; laws, rules, regulations and conscience as sources of ethical guidance; accountability and ethical governance; strengthening of ethical and moral values in governance; ethical issues in international relations and funding; corporate governance.
6. How far do you agree with the view that administration in India requires specialists instead of generalists? Discuss. (250 words)
Reference: Indian Express
Why the question:
The question is based on the generalist vs. specialist debate in the Indian public administration.
Key Demand of the question:
Analyse the generalist vs. specialist debate in the Indian public administration and support them with suitable backing.
Directive:
Discuss – This is an all-encompassing directive – you have to debate on paper by going through the details of the issues concerned by examining each one of them. You have to give reasons for both for and against arguments.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Introduce by mentioning the administration in India and present few arguments in favour of specialists.
Body:
The administration in India is taken care of by the civil services, which includes both generalists (IAS) and specialists (IES). With growing complexity in society and changing nature of state functions, there is a growing clamor for need to have specialists in general administration.
Present arguments in favour of Specialists; Administration in the present is being characterized by new developments in the fields of science and technology, social and behavioural sciences, decision-making, human relations in administration etc. Each of these areas required professionalism intervention of subject experts.
Every sphere of administration – economic, social, industrial, and agricultural – has its own body of academic requirements plus technical skills. It requires core competence skills and not just managerial skills possessed by generalists.
Mention the arguments in favour of generalists as well.
Conclusion:
Conclude by suggesting a way forward.
