PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION

PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION ANSWER WRITING CHALLENGES

 

2016

Mains – 2016: Challenge – Nov 09

Mains – 2016: Challenge – Nov 08

Mains – 2016: Challenge – Nov 07

Mains – 2016: Challenge – Nov 05

Mains – 2016: Challenge – Nov 03

Mains – 2016: Challenge – Nov 01

Mains – 2016: Challenge – Oct 29

Mains – 2016: Challenge – Oct 28

Mains – 2016: Challenge – Oct 27

Mains – 2016: Challenge – Oct 26

Mains – 2016: Challenge – Oct 25

Mains – 2016: Challenge – Oct 24

Mains – 2016: Challenge – Oct 22

Mains – 2016: Challenge – Oct 21

Mains – 2016: Challenge – Oct 19

Mains – 2016: Challenge – Oct 18

Mains – 2016: Challenge – Oct 17

Mains – 2016: Challenge – Oct 15

Mains – 2016: Challenge – Oct 14

Mains – 2016: Challenge – Oct 13

Mains – 2016: Challenge – Oct 12

Mains – 2016: Challenge – Oct 11

Mains – 2016: Challenge – Oct 10

Mains – 2016: Challenge – Oct 08

Mains – 2016: Challenge – Oct 07

SYNOPSIS – Public Administration (Aug 17 to Oct 05)

Mains – 2016: Challenge – Oct 06

Mains – 2016: Challenge – Oct 05

Mains – 2016: Challenge – Oct 04

Mains – 2016: Challenge – Oct 03

Mains – 2016: Challenge – Oct 01

Mains – 2016: Challenge –  Sep 30

Mains – 2016: Challenge – Sep 29

Mains – 2016: Challenge –  Aug 30

Mains – 2016: Challenge – 10, Aug 29

Weekly Test – 1

Mains – 2016: Challenge – 9, Aug 26

Mains – 2016: Challenge – 8, Aug 25

Mains – 2016: Challenge – 7, Aug 24

Mains – 2016: Challenge – 6, Aug 23

Mains – 2016: Challenge – 5, Aug 22

Mains – 2016: Challenge – 4 Aug 20

Mains – 2016: Challenge – 3 Aug 19

Mains – 2016: Challenge – 2 Aug 18

Mains – 2016: Challenge – 1 Aug 17

2015

Mains – 2015: Challenge – 1 Sept 07

Mains – 2015: Challenge – 2 Sept 08

Mains – 2015: Challenge – 3 Sept 09

Mains – 2015: Challenge – 4: Sept 10

Mains – 2015: Challenge – 5: Sept 11

Mains – 2015: Challenge – 6: Sept 14

Mains – 2015: Challenge – 7: Sept 15

Mains – 2015: Challenge – 8: Sept 16

Mains – 2015: Challenge – 9: Sept 17

Mains – 2015: Challenge – 10: Sept 18

Mains – 2015: Challenge – 11: Sept 21

Mains – 2015: Challenge – 12: Sept 22

Mains – 2015: Challenge – 13: Sept 23

Mains – 2015: Challenge – 14: Sept 26

Mains – 2015: Challenge – 15: Sept 28

Mains – 2015: Challenge – 16: Sept 29

Mains – 2015: Challenge – 17: Sept 30

Mains – 2015: Challenge – 18: Oct 06

Mains – 2015: Challenge – 19: Oct 07

Mains – 2015: Challenge – 20: Oct 08

Mains – 2015: Challenge – 21: Oct 09

Mains-2015: Challenge-22: Oct 12

Mains-2015: Challenge-23: Oct 14

Mains-2015: Challenge-24: Oct 15

Mains-2015: Challenge-25: Oct 16

Mains-2015: Challenge-26: Oct 19

Mains-2015: Challenge-27: Oct 20

Mains-2015: Challenge-28: Oct 21

Mains-2015: Challenge-29: Oct 22

Mains-2015: Challenge-30: Oct 26

Mains-2015: Challenge-31: Oct 27

Mains-2015: Challenge-32: Oct 29

Mains-2015: Challenge-33: Oct 30

 

 

 2014

 

Mains – 2014 – Challenge – 1

Mains – 2014 – Challenge – 2

Mains – 2014 – Challenge – 3

Mains – 2014 – Challenge – 4

Mains – 2014 – Challenge – 5

Mains –2014 – Challenge – 6

Mains – 2014 – Challenge – 7

Mains – 2014 – Challenge – 8

Mains – 2014 – Challenge – 9

Mains – 2014 – Challenge – 10

Mains – 2014 – Challenge – 11

Mains – 2014 – Challenge – 12

Mains – 2014 – Challenge – 13

Mains – 2014 – Challenge – 14

Mains – 2014 – Challenge – 15

Mains – 2014 – Challenge – 16

Mains – 2014 – Challenge – 17

Mains – 2014 –  Challenge – 18

Mains – 2014 – Challenge – 19

Mains – 2014 – Challenge – 20

Mains – 2014 – Challenge – 21

Mains – 2014 – Challenge – 22

Mains – 2014  – Challenge – 23

Mains – 2014 – Challenge – 24

Mains – 2014 – Challenge – 25

Mains – 2014 – Challenge – 26

Mains – 2014 – Challenge – 27

Mains – 2014 – Challenge – 28

Mains – 2014 – Challenge – 29

Mains – 2014 – Challenge – 30

Mains – 2014 – Challenge – 31

Mains – 2014 – Challenge – 32

Mains – 2014 – Challenge – 33

Mains – 2014 – Challenge – 34

Mains – 2014 Challenge – 35

Mains – 2014 Challenge – 36

Mains – 2014 Challenge – 37

 Mains – 2014 Challenge – 38

Mains – 2014 Challenge – 39

Mains – 2014 Challenge – 40

Mains – 2014 Challenge – 41

Mains – 2014 Challenge – 42

Mains – 2014 Challenge – 43

Mains – 2014 Challenge – 44

Mains – 2014 Challenge – 45

Mains – 2014 Challenge – 46

Mains – 2014 Challenge – 47

Mains – 2014 Challenge – 48

Mains – 2014 Challenge – 49

Mains – 2014 Challenge – 50

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Challenge 1

  Introduction:

Meaning, scope and significance of Public Administration;

Question 1

“In its broadest sense, the administration can be defined as the activities of group cooperating to accomplish common goals.” Evaluate.

Question 2

 “..it would appear that any definition of this field [Public Administration] would be either so encompassing as to call forth the wrath or ridicule of others, or so limiting as to stultify its own disciples.”  Mosher. Critically comment.

ANSWERS

Challenge 2

Question 1

 Comment on the importance of sense of Public interest as a wider ethical commitment in public administration. (200 Words)

Question 2

“Public administration is not just implementation of laws; it is also a means of social justice and social change”. Comment. (200 Words)

ANSWERS

Challenge 3

Question 1

“While professionalization was advocated in the management of government, Wilson was well aware of the wider agenda of public administration.” Mohit Bhattacharya.

n the light of above statement evaluate the relevance of Wilson’s ideas in developing countries of 21st century. (200 Words)

Question 2

 “The study of public administration developed as an offshoot of political science or public law, and until recently administration as an academic subject was the very plain step-sister of these older disciplines”. Peter Self. Examine (200 Words)

ANSWERS

Challenge 4

  1. New paradigms in public administration do not look at the discipline from a fresh perspective but merely rehash the old concepts.” Critically evaluate (200 Words)
  2. “A public administration which fails to work for changes which tries to redress the deprivation of minorities will likely be eventually used to repress those minorities.” Frederickson.Evaluate with respect to the importance of values in public administration.

ANSWERS

Challenge 5

Question 1

 Do you think that over reliance on rules has sidelined emotive rationality of administrators? Do you think switching over to market oriented approach could change the scenario? (200 Words)

Question 2

How do you rate the Public Choice’s ‘pleasure pain calculus of individuals’ to Benthamite public interest in public administration. Also explain the challenges faced by the bureaucracy to reorient itself for methodological individualism. (200 Words)

ANSWERS

Challenge 6

Question 1

“The state is essential for putting in place the appropriate institutional foundations for markets”. Comment. (200 Words)

Question 2

What according to you are the most important changes brought into public administration by Privatization movement. (200 Words)

ANSWERS

Challenge 7

Question 1

“The actions of public administrators have the forces of law and coercive power of government behind them”. Do you think administrators could claim similar authority in a globalized world?

Question 2

Examine the implications of globalization for administrative ethics and development ethics.

ANSWERS

Challenge 8

Question 1

 “The equity and legitimacy aspects are as important, or perhaps more important, than good management.” Comment. (200 words)

Question 2

 Do you think good governance is a throwback to the classical theory of ‘one best way of governance’? How is it, if any, different from neo-wilsonism? (200 words)

ANSWERS

Challenge 9

Question 1

 “Participation in authentic discourse requires ‘warrants for discourse’.” In the light of above statement explain the broader democratic consequences of a pro-active citizenry? (200 Words)

Question 2

 “We don’t need more government; we need better government.” Comment. (200 Words)

ANSWERS

Challenge 10

Question 1

Do you think Scientific management offers any solution to the issues in public administration of a developing country like India? Elaborate.

Question 2

The Scientific management is blamed to create a monopoly of knowledge and de-personalization of work. What issues arise due to these? Is the threat real? Evaluate.

Question 3

How has scientific management approach widened the horizon of public administration?

ANSWERS

Challenge 11

Question 1

Is the top down approach necessarily outdated? What are the aspects in which you shall favor ‘administrative management approach’?

Question 2

The classical principals “…form neither a coherent conceptual pattern of determination nor an accurate description of concrete empirical reality” Comment.

Question 3

Co-ordination is the fundamental principle of any organization. Comment.

ANSWERS

Challenge 12

Question 1.

Human relations approach has enlarged the role of social ethics in management philosophy. Evaluate. [200 words]

Question 2.

“The man possessing the knowledge demanded by a certain situation tends in the best managed business, and other things being equal, becomes the leader of that movement.” Comment. [200 words]

ANSWERS

Challenge 13

Question 1.

Leadership is the ‘influential increment over and above mechanical compliance with the routine directives of the organization’ [Katz and Kahn]. Analyze. (150 WORDS) [CSM 2012]

Question 2

Human relations approach urges co-operation over competition and inter dependence over individualism. Examine. (200 words)

ANSWERS

Challenge 14

Question 1

“While Taylor and his associates concentrated on improving the task efficiency of the individual, Barnard  on the other hand, started with individual, moved to cooperative effort, and ended  with executive functions.” Comment.

Question 2

“… a more thorough consideration leads to the understanding that communication, authority, specialization and purpose are all aspects comprehended in coordination.” – (Chester I. Barnard). Comment. [Civil Services 2000/20 Marks]

ANSWERS

Challenge 15

Question 1

“Barnard emphasizes on purpose as a  central  question  but  pays no attention  to the  choice  of the  purpose in  a  changing  world or to  the  processes  of formulating goals and  objectives for the  organization”. Comment [200 words]

Question 2

What is the nature of psychological contract pursued by organizational management through authority and the employees through the exertion of upward influence? [CSM 2013/15 MARKS]

ANSWERS

Challenge 16

Question  1

Define the term ‘civil society’. How does civil society influence the public policy? (200 Words/2002, Accountability and Control – P1)

 Question  2

‘The Arthashastra is India’s oldest complete text on public administration.” Comment. (200 Words/2003, Evolution of Indian Administration – P2)

ANSWERS

Challenge 17

Question 1

“Decisions are something more than factual propositions. They have an ethical as well as a factual content.” Comment. [200 Words]

Question 2

“Administrative efficiency is enhanced by keeping at a minimum the number of organizational levels through which a matter must pass before it is acted upon.” – (Herbert A. Simon) [CSM 2000/200 Words]

ANSWERS

Challenge 18

Question 1

“Three features characterize Simon’s original view of bounded rationality : search for alternatives, satisfying, and aspiration adaptation.” Elucidate. [CSM 2012/200 Words]

Question 2

” Simon’s indentifying decision-making as the core field of public administration appears logically acceptable but his positivist underpinning is problematic.” Critically examine the statement. [CSM 2010/300 Words]

ANSWERS

Challenge 19

Question 1

Weberian bureaucracy refers to the sociological concept of rationalization of collective activities. Examine [200 words]

Question 2

“Censorship, is a bureaucratic instrument for maintaining politics as a private and reserved domain of a particular class.” Examine. [250 Words]

ANSWERS

Challenge 20

Question 1

“Bureaucracy is the medium through which particular interests were translated into general interests”. Critically analyze. [250 Words]

Question 2

“ Bureaucracy changes knowledge into secrecy and competence into mystery”. Comment. [200 Words]

ANSWERS

Challenge 21

Question 1

All big organizations tend to develop a bureaucratic structure which ruled out the possibility of internal democracy. Do you agree? [200 Words]

Question 2

“…[Bureaucracy].. offers for carrying through the principle of specializing administrative functions according to purely objective considerations” . Comment [200 Words]

ANSWERS

Challenge 22

Question 1

 “..public service must be representative if the state is to liberate rather than to enslave” -Donald J Kingsley. Comment [200 Words]

Question 2

What are the practical issues in establishing a representative bureaucracy in a third world country like India? [200 Words]

ANSWERS

Challenge 23

Question 1

An administrative state must have a bureaucracy whose fundamental values must include, anonymity, neutrality and commitment. Analyze. [250 Words]

Question 2

What is co-governance? How is it different from representative bureaucracy? [200 Words]

ANSWERS

Challenge 24

Question 1

” The successful management leaders are found in Likerts’s ‘System-4′ approach to organizational leadership.” Examine. [CSM 2010/250 Words]

Question 2

“Commitment to objectives is a function of the rewards associated with their achievement.” Comment  [150 Words]

ANSWERS

Challenge 25

Question 1

 Examine the evolution of conflict management from integration approach of M.P. Follett to remedial approach of participative management. [200 Words]

Question 2

“The managerial cosmology meaningfully addresses the understanding of manager and his role perceptions.” Explain. [200 Words]

ANSWERS

Challenge 26

Question 1

 “Organizations are willing to pay high wages and provide adequate seniority if mature adults will behave in a less than mature manner”. Comment. [200 Words]

Question 2

“Self-actualization is a utopia, without any precise operational indicators”. Comment [200 Words]

ANSWERS

Challenge 27

Question 1

 Critically evaluate Chris Argyris views on human personality and its impact on the working of organization.  [200 Words]

Question 2

The theory of ‘organizational incompetence’ has two separate and distinct faces. Examine Chris Argyris’ view on this. [CSM 2013/150 Words]

ANSWERS

Challenge 28

Question 1

Whereas Downs’ model is largely dependent on a theory of psychological motivation, Niskanen’s model is framed by neo-classical thinking. In the light of the above, discuss the public choice approach to decision-making. [CSM 2011/250 Words]

Question 2

The Systems Approach is relevant even today for organizational analysis. Discuss how Chester Barnard and David Easton adopted this approach in their respective areas of study.[CSM 2011/250 Words]

ANSWERS

Challenge 29

Topic: Multiple thinker’s & latest trends of UPSC

Question

“Decisions are not made by ‘organizations’, but by ‘human beings’ behaving as members of organizations”. How do Bernard and Simon conceptualize the relation between decisions of the individual employee and the organizational authority? [CSM 2013/ 250-300 Words]

ANSWERS

Challenge 30

 Topic:Multiple thinkers & latest trends of UPSC

Question

“Specialization belongs to the natural order. The object of specialization is to produce more and better work with the same effort”.

“Specialized division of labour and the accompanying fragmentation of tasks result in alienation of work”.

Analyse these statements and evaluate the contributions of the respective approaches to administration theory.  (200 words) 

ANSWERS

Challenge 31

 Topic:Multiple thinker’s & latest trends of UPSC

Question 

Structural theory is, by and large, grounded in classical principles of efficiency, effectiveness and productivity. Explain [CSM 2013/300-350 Words]

ANSWERS

Challenge 32

 Topic: Multiple thinkers & latest trends of UPSC

Question 

“The design of the physical structure, the anatomy of the organization came first, and was indeed the principal consideration.”

“An organization is a system of interrelated social behaviors of participants”

Analyse these statements and evaluate the contributions of the respective approaches to administration theory. [CSM 2013/300-350 Words]

ANSWERS

Challenge 33

 Topic: Multiple thinkers & latest trends of UPSC

Question

What light does Antonio Gramsci ‘s critique of Taylorism throw on its socio-psychological underpinnings ?  [CSM 2012/150-200 Words]

ANSWERS

Challenge 34

Topic: Process and techniques of decision-making

Question

‘Policy judgements comprise reality judgements, value judgements and instrumental judgements’ [Geoffery Vickers]. Elucidate. [150 Words/CSM2012]

ANSWERS

Challenge 35

Topic: Process and techniques of decision-making

Question

“Creativity allows the decision maker to more fully appraise and understand the problem, including seeing problems others can’t see”. Elucidate.[200 Words]

ANSWERS

Challenge 36

 Topic: Process and techniques of decision-making

Question

Discuss the importance of ecological factors in decision making.[200 Words]

ANSWERS

Challenge 37

 Topic: Process and techniques of decision-making

Question

“The rational model of decision making makes no acknowledgement of cultural differences”. Critically Examine.[200 Words]

ANSWERS

Challenge 38

Topic: Administrative Behaviour – Communication

Question

What is knowledge management in an organization. How is communication crucial for proper knowledge management in an organization? (200 words)

ANSWERS

Challenge 39

 Topic: Administrative Behaviour – Communication

Question 

Channels of communication must be definitely known. Comment.[200 Words]

ANSWERS

Challenge 40

Topic:  Administrative Behaviour – MORALE

Question

“Non-financial incentives are the psychic rewards or the rewards of enhanced position that can be secured in the work organization”[Dubin]. Elucidate. [200 Words]

ANSWERS

Challenge 41

Topic:  Administrative Behaviour – MORALE

Question

‘Job satisfaction is related to organizational effectiveness’. Comment.[200 Words]

ANSWERS

Challenge 42

 Topic:  Administrative Behaviour:  Motivation Theories – content, process and contemporary

Question

‘Man’s motives… in different subparts of the same organization may be different’[Edgas Schein]. Discuss. [150 Words/CSM2012]

ANSWERS

Challenge 43

 Topic: Administrative Behaviour:  Motivation Theories – content, process and contemporary

Question

“Inspite of the criticism on two-factor theory it is unquestionable that herzberg’s contribution to work motivation is substantial.” Comment. [200 Words]

ANSWERS

Challenge 44

Topic: Administrative Behaviour:  Theories of Leadership – Traditional and Modern.

Question 

‘Leaders do the right things, manager do them rightly.’[Bennis]. Comment.  [200 Words/CSM2008]

ANSWERS

Challenge 45

 Topic: Administrative Behaviour:  Theories of Leadership – Traditional and Modern.

Question 

Leadership is a socially constructed organizational reality. Explain. [200 Words]

ANSWERS

Challenge 46

 Topic: Organisations – Theories-systems, contingency

Question

‘The essence, of the contingency theory paradigm is that organizational effectiveness results from fitting characteristics of the organization, such as its structure, to contingencies that reflect the situation of the organization.’ Give your reason for the statement.[CSM 2012/250 Words]

ANSWERS

Challenge 47

 Topic: Organisations- Theories-systems, contingency

Question 

‘The essence, of the contingency theory paradigm is that organizational effectiveness results from fitting characteristics of the organization, such as its structure, to contingencies that reflect the situation of the organization.’

In the light of your discussion on above, also show where and how this ‘fitting’ differs from ‘coping’ with ‘stress’ from environment emphasized by the systems theory of organization.[CSM 2012/250 Words]

ANSWERS

Challenge 48

 Topic: Organisations- Theories-systems, contingency

Question 

Structural theory is, by and large, grounded in classical principles of efficiency, effectiveness & productivity. Explain. [CSM 2013/250 Words]

ANSWERS

Challenge 49

 Topic: Organisations- Theories-systems, contingency

Question 

Systems view of organization provides us with macro paradigm for the study of organization. Comment. [200 Words]

ANSWERS

Challenge 50

 Topic: Organisations- Theories-systems, contingency

Question 

Technology and environment are two potent forces of organizational change. [300 Words]

ANSWERS

Challenge 51

Topic: Organisations- Theories-systems, contingency

Question

Do you think that open and closed model are two faces of the same coin? Elucidate.[200 Words]

ANSWERS

Challenge 52

 Topic: Organisations- Structure and forms

Question 

 “A variety of different organizational arrangements can be used to provide different public goods & services”. Explain the theory underlying this proposition and its potential contribution.[CSM 2013/200 Words]

ANSWERS

Challenge 53

 Topic: Organisations- Structure and forms

Question 

“In order to make full use of the opportunities provided by globalization, developing countries need, among other things, to reinvest in their public sector and enhance their capacity for policy analysis, formulation and implementation.” Discuss.[300 Words]

ANSWERS

Challenge 54

 Topic: Organisations- Structure and forms

Question 

What are the advantages of Boards? Give a short note on their success or failure in Indian administration paradigm. [300 Words]

ANSWERS

Challenge 55

 Topic: Organisations- Structure and forms

Question

How do you rate the ministerial control over autonomy in the case of Public sector enterprises? Substantiate.[200 Words]

ANSWERS

Challenge 56

 Topic: Organisations- Structure and forms

Question

Offer your opinion on disinvestment of public enterprises. Why has the disinvestment bandwagon slowed down in recent years, in India? Do you think it’s a welcome phenomenon.[200 Words]

ANSWERS

Challenge 57

Topic: Organisations-Ad hoc and advisory bodies

Question

What is the utility of Ad hoc bodies? Explain with special reference to the functioning of Ad hoc committees in Indian parliament. [250 Words]

ANSWERS

Challenge 58

 Topic: Organisations-Ad hoc and advisory bodies

Question

Recently it has been claimed that NAC wields more influence in policy making than planning commission. Do you think this is a healthy precedent? Explain by emphasizing on the working of advisory bodies in an organization.[250 Words]

ANSWERS

Challenge 59

 Topic: Organisations- Regulatory Authorities

Question

Elucidate the need of a separate department of Regulatory affairs in Indian administrative set-up.[200 Words]

ANSWERS

Challenge 60

Topic: Organisations- Regulatory Authorities

Question 

Evaluate the working of regulatory authorities in Indian administration. [300 words]

ANSWERS

Challenge 61

Topic: Organisations – Public-Private Partnerships

Question 

The idea of Public-Private partnership was introduced with great pomp and show. Why did it fail to provide the desired results? Also suggest some measures which could improve the performance of this administrative vehicle.[250 Words]

ANSWERS

Challenge 62

Topic: ADMINISTRATIVE LAW – Meaning, Scope & significance

Question

Administrative law is a law related to administration. Comment. [200 Words]

ANSWERS

Challenge 63

Topic: ADMINISTRATIVE LAW – Meaning, Scope & significance

Question

In India, administrative law has developed through judicial activism and creativity without much help from the legislature. Do you agree? Why do you think this is so? [250 Words]

ANSWERS

Challenge 64

Topic: Dicey on Administrative Law

Question

 Would 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? [CSM 2012/250 Words]

ANSWERS

Challenge 65

Topic: Dicey on Administrative Law

Question

Why is le droit administaitif regarded alongside the Napoleonic code as the most notable achievement of French legal science? [CSM 2012/250 Words]

ANSWERS

Challenge 66

Topic: DELEGATED LEGISLATION

Question 

Make out a case for Delegated Legislation. [CSM 2011/200 Words]

ANSWERS

Challenge 67

Topic: ADMINISTRATIVE TRIBUNALS

Question

‘The development of administrative law in a welfare state has made administrative tribunals a necessity.’ Comment. [200 Words]

ANSWERS

Challenge 68

Topic: Historical and sociological factors affecting administrative systems

Question 

“Truly comparative administration studies are empirical, nomothetic & ecological.”(Riggs)

In this perspective, examine the current status of comparative public administration. [CSM 2008/250 Words]

ANSWERS

Challenge 69

Topic: Historical and sociological factors affecting administrative systems

Question

“Not to be comparative is to be naively parochial” (Riggs). Comment [CSM 2007/200 Words]

ANSWERS

Challenge 70

Topic: Historical and sociological factors affecting administrative systems

Question 

The development administration approach to CPA tends to validate a Manichean view of administrative system. Comment [150 Words]

ANSWERS

Challenge 71

Topic: Administration and politics in different countries

Question 

“No science of public administration is possible unless.. there is a body of comparative studies from which it may be possible to discover principles and generalities that transcend national boundaries and peculiar historical experiences.” Discuss [CSM 2005/200 Words]

ANSWERS

Challenge 72

Topic: Current status of Comparative Public Administration

Question

“Comparative Public administration both resembles and differs from modern organization theory.”  Elaborate. [CSM 2013/150 Words]

ANSWERS

Challenge 73

 Topic: Current status of Comparative Public Administration

 Question

Comment on the reasons why universal theory remains elusive in comparative public administration. [CSM 2012/250 Words]

ANSWERS

Challenge 74

Topic: Ecology and administration

Question 

“…in most cases… newly independent states, of the nations of Africa, Asia and latin America, despite their differences… are in transition.”(Ferrel Heady). What common features are indicative of characteristics of their administrative patterns(cultures)? [CSM 2013/200 Words]

ANSWERS

Challenge 75

Topic: Ecology and administration

Question

“Comparative public administration” is the “quest for patterns and regularities in administrative action & behavior”. Elaborate. [200 Words]

ANSWERS

Challenge 76

Topic: Riggsian models and their critique

Question

“Neither Edward Weidner nor Fred Riggs was able to describe the process of development administration adequately.”

 Explain the drawbacks and weakness in their theoretical analyses. [CSM 2011/400 Words]

ANSWERS

Challenge 77

Topic: Riggsian models and their critique

Question 

“The prismatic model of Riggs is equally applicable to developing as well as developed society.” Comment. [CSM 2010/250 Words]

ANSWERS

Challenge 78

Topic: Riggsian models and their critique

Question

Riggs failed to recognize the role of outside or external forces in the process of development. Do you agree? [200 Words]

ANSWERS

Challenge 79

Topic: Riggsian models and their critique

Question

Does the Indian social reality represent the characteristics of prismatic society? Explain with illustrations. [200 Words]

ANSWERS

Challenge 80

Topic: Riggsian models and their critique

Question

“Riggs’ ecological approach is non-ecological.” Comment [200 Words]

ANSWERS

Challenge 81

Topic: Public Choice Approach, New Public Management 

Question 

“The advent of the concept of “roll back of the state” since the nineteen eighties has been altering the role of Public Administration but certainly not diminishing its central place in human society.” Discuss. (200 words)

ANSWERS

Challenge 82

Topic: Development Dynamics: Concept of development 

Question 

“The concept of development is multi-dimensional and ever-expanding”. Explain.[CSM 2010/200 Words]

ANSWERS

Challenge 83

Topic:  Development Dynamics: Concept of development 

Question

Which of the model in development administration is/are characterized by ‘selectivism’, ‘Attainment’ and ‘Poly-functionalism’? Describe the corresponding theoretical roots and attributes.[CSM 2009/300 Words]

ANSWERS

Challenge 84

Topic: Development Dynamics: Concept of development 

Question 

“Development administration is characterized by its purpose, its loyalties and its attitudes.”Elaborate.[250 Words]

ANSWERS

Challenge 85

Topic: Development Dynamics: Concept of development

Question

The immediate contribution of development administration is its exposure of the administrative obstacles to the planning and implementation of development. Comment.[150 Words]

ANSWERS

Challenge 86

Topic: Development Dynamics: Changing profile of development administration

Question

The paradigm shift from the growth-centric approach to people-centric one needs corresponding institutional reshaping that is hard to bring about at one stroke. Elaborate. [250 Words]

ANSWERS

Challenge 87

Topic: Development Dynamics: Changing profile of development administration

Question 

“For those who use the euphemism of ‘shared power’ for participation, the appropriate literature for guidance in practical politics, not organization and management”. Elaborate. [250 Words]

ANSWERS

Challenge 88

Topic: Development Dynamics: Changing profile of development administration

Question

“Strong state and strong civil society are the need to develop both participatory democracy and responsive government as mutually reinforcing and supportive.”

Bring out the myths and realities associated with public participation.[CSM 2013/250 Words]

ANSWERS

Challenge 89

Topic: Development Dynamics: Changing profile of development administration

Question

“To talk about regulatory framework is to talk about governance.” Analyse the statement in the context of Public-private partnerships and identify the elements of regulation.[CSM 2013/200 Words]

ANSWERS

Challenge 90

Topic: Development Dynamics – Changing profile of development administration

Question

Development is above all else a question of human values. Comment[150 Words]

ANSWERS

Challenge 91

Topic: Development Dynamics – ‘Antidevelopment thesis’

Question

The Anti-development approach attempts to overcome the inequality in perception and definition of development by opening up spaces for non-western peoples and their concerns. Comment [200 Words]

ANSWERS

Challenge 92

Topic: Development Dynamics – ‘Antidevelopment thesis’

Question

‘The anti-development’ thesis… reduces development to an idea without history, impervious to change’, but ‘fails to take account of the fact for its faults development could be empowering.’ Discuss.[CSM 2012/150 Words]

ANSWERS

Challenge 93

Topic: Development Dynamics – Bureaucracy and development

Question

Bureaucracy has a two-way relationship with development. Comment[200 Words]

ANSWERS

Challenge 94

Topic: Development Dynamics – Bureaucracy and development

Question

What according to you are the three biggest obstacles which is presented by bureaucracy in the path of development. Elaborate.[300 Words] 

ANSWERS

Challenge 95

Topic: Development Dynamics – Bureaucracy and development

Question 

Attaining optimum regulation is a challaging task, as a balance has to be achieved between individual’s freedom and society’s interest. Explain.[200 words]

ANSWERS

Challenge 96

Topic: Development Dynamics – Strong state versus  the market

Question

“The Market has become the new icon of developmentalism.” Comment. [CSM 2010/200 Words]

ANSWERS

Challenge 97

Topic: Development Dynamics – Strong state versus  the market

Question

“..the balanced administrative state has been replaced by the corporate-coercive state.” Comment. [200 Words]

ANSWERS

Challenge 98

Topic: Development Dynamics – Impact of liberalisation on administration in developing countries

Question 

Indicate the milestones in the story of development from the Nehruvian Model to Liberalization Model.[CSM 2011/250 Words]

ANSWERS

Challenge 99

Topic:  Development Dynamics – Impact of liberalisation on administration in developing countries

Question

We need to create a balance between the state, market and civil society to ensure good governance.[300 Words]

ANSWERS

Challenge 100

Topic: Development Dynamics – Impact of liberalisation on administration in developing countries

Question 

‘The idea of civil society is intrinsically linked to liberal democratic discourse esposing plurality of social views’. Comment.[200 Words]

ANSWERS

Challenge 101

Topic: Development Dynamics –  Women and development : The self-help group movement.

Question

Given the importance of issue of sex equality in development do you think the self help group movement adequately addresses absence of women in the former mainstream development agenda? [CSM 2012/250 Words]

ANSWERS

Challenge 102

Topic: Development Dynamics –  Women and development : The self-help group movement.

Question

“Self-Help Groups(SHGs) enables women to realize their full potential in some spheres of life.”

“SHGs are providing avenues of political mobilization.”

Examine the implication these two statements and assess the potential of SHgs for development.[300 Words]

ANSWERS

Challenge 103

Topic: Development Dynamics –  Women and development : The self-help group movement.

Question

Why has the performance of SHGs been uneven in different states of India? Elaborate some successful models of SHGs in India.[300 Words]

ANSWERS

Challenge 104

Topic: Philosophical and Constitutional framework of government: Salient features and value premises; Constitutionalism

Question

“The liberal-democratic ideology of the West influenced the shaping of value premises of the Indian Constitution.” Discuss. [250 Words/CSM 2013]

ANSWERS

Challenge 105

Topic: Philosophical and Constitutional framework of government: Salient features and value premises; Constitutionalism

Question

“India at its independence established an electoral democracy in conditions of relative social ‘backwardness’, accentuating the extent of its apparent ‘democratic exceptionalism’.” Comment.[250 Words]

ANSWERS

Challenge 106

Topic: Philosophical and Constitutional framework of government: Salient features and value premises; Constitutionalism

Question

“Value of Indian administration must be rooted in the preamble of the Indian constitution.” Discuss[CSM 2009/250 Words]

ANSWERS

Challenge 107

 Topic: Philosophical and Constitutional framework of government: Salient features and value premises; Constitutionalism

Question

Analyze the following statements from D D Basu,

 “The preamble to our Constitution serves, two purposes:

(a) it indicates the source from which the constitution derives its authority;

(b) it also states the objects which constitution seeks to establish and promote. “

In the light of above statement elaborate the importance of preamble in the working of ourconstitution. [250 Words]

ANSWERS

Challenge 108

Topic: Philosophical and Constitutional framework of government: POLITICAL CULTURE

Question

Analyze the following statement by Pratap Bhanu Mehta,

“With political parties serving as vehicles of Individual ambition rather than ideological or programmatic goals, the resulting political promiscuity has led to a landscape in which Indian political parties form a constantly shifting kaleidoscope of fission and fusion”

Do you think that this phenomenon, of political parties ultimately becoming ‘vehicles of Individual ambition’ is unique to Indian political culture or an inherent disadvantage of multi-party democracy?  (200 words)

ANSWERS

Challenge 109

 Topic: Philosophical and Constitutional framework of government: POLITICAL CULTURE

Question

Pressure group politics is sometimes seen as the informal face of politics. With regards to the above, assess the structure and functioning of pressure groups in India. [CSM {GS-II} 2013/200 Words]

ANSWERS

Challenge 110

Topic: Philosophical and Constitutional framework of government: POLITICAL CULTURE

Question

The role of legislators has diminished over the years and as a result healthy constructive debates on policy issues are not usually witnessed. How far can this be attributed to the anti-defection law which was legislated but with a different intention? [CSM {GS-II} 2013/200 Words]

ANSWERS

Challenge 111

 Topic:  Philosophical and Constitutional framework of government: POLITICAL CULTURE

Question 

Analyze the following two contradicting statements,

“Energies are dissipated in managing the coalition itself rather than in governing more broadly and, as a result, both the pace and the quality of reform suffer”

“..stability[by a majority government] itself can simply result in the persistence of poor policies.”

Considering the above statements comment on the political culture of Indian democracy emphasizing on the link between stability and growth. (200 words)

ANSWERS

Challenge 112

Topic: Philosophical and Constitutional framework of government: BUREAUCRACY and DEMOCRACY

Question

Explain with appropriate illustrations the interface between ‘political culture and bureaucratic culture’ in contemporary India. [CSM 2011/200 Words]

ANSWERS

Challenge 113

Topic: Philosophical and Constitutional framework of government: BUREAUCRACY and DEMOCRACY

Question

“The weakest aspect of Indian administration is grievance Redressal machinery.” Discuss [CSM 2009/200 Words]

ANSWERS

Challenge 114

Topic: Philosophical and Constitutional framework of government: BUREAUCRACY and DEMOCRACY

Question

“There is a constant and continuous collision between bureaucratic values and democratic values which adversely affects development.” In the light of this statement examine the role of bureaucracy in development. [CSM 2008/300 Words]

ANSWERS

Challenge 115

Topic: Philosophical and Constitutional framework of government: BUREAUCRACY and DEVELOPMENT

Question

“Over dependence on bureaucracy for bringing about socio-economic development in India has proved to be dysfunctional.” Comment. [CSM 2011/200 Words]

ANSWERS

Challenge 116

Topic: Philosophical and Constitutional framework of government: BUREAUCRACY and DEVELOPMENT

Question

Analyze the following two statements,

“The more developmental an administrative system becomes, the greater the likelihood that it would have more developmental effects”

“The thrust of development administration failed to energise the Indian bureaucracy.”

In the light of above statements analyze the role of Indian bureaucracy in achieving development goals. [CSM 2010/300 Words]

ANSWERS

 

CHALLENGES – 2013

31) Challenge 20/11/2013

QUESTIONS: 20/11/2013

  1. Development administration focused on development activities also needs administrative development. Elaborate. (300 Words)
  2. Define the term civil society.? How does civil society influence public policy.? (300 Words)

ANSWERS

30) Challenge 19/11/2013

QUESTIONS: 19/11/2013

  1.  Give reasons for the failure of the GoI to introduce the performance programme budgetary technique in Union Ministries. What type of budgetary system is being currently practised in India and why?(CSE 2000/300 words)
  2.  ”Legislative control over finances are inadequate and incomplete.” Comment. (CSE 2003/200 words)
  3. while the classical theorist of administration consider organisation as a set of individual a humanist such as Bernard that organisation is a set of activity. Elaborate. (250 words)

ANSWERS

29) Challenge 18/11/2013

QUESTIONS: 18/11/2013

  1.  ”There is little difference in Maslow’s and  Herzberg’s theories except that the latter is derived empirically.” Examine.(150 words)
  2. How can the behavioural school of thought be made instrumental in achieving ‘Good Governance’ in India? (250 words)

ANSWERS

28) Challenge 16/11/2013

QUESTIONS: 16/11/2013

  1.  ’Man’s motives … in different subparts of the same organization may be different’ [Edgar Schein]. Discuss. (CSE 2012/150 words)
  2.  Leadership is the ‘influential increment over and above mechanical compliance with the routine directives of the organization’ [Katz and Kahn]. Analyze. (150 words)
  3. In the era of neo-liberalism there is an emphasis on a strong state and a vibrant market. Ironically this phenomena which is contemporary could be dealt by a classical theorist such as Gullick’s view on the nature of the state and the role of the administration. Discuss (250 words)

ANSWERS

27) Challenge 15/11/2013

QUESTIONS: 15/11/2013

  1.  The administrator needs autonomy and discretion in much the same way as the politician needs control and intervention. Discuss. (2004/ 200 words)
  2. How is the performance of the Indian government evaluated? Do you think these tools have proved their utility? (250 words)

ANSWERS

26) Challenge 14/11/2013

QUESTIONS: 14/11/2013

  1. The concept of Civil Service neutrality is outdated and does not augur well for a developing society. Comment.(20 Words)
  2. The Systems approach is relevant even today for organizational analysis. Discuss how Barnard and David Easton adopted this approach in their respective areas of study. (CSE 2011/300 Words).

ANSWERS

25) Challenge 13/11/2013

QUESTIONS: 13/11/2013

  1. The concept of accountability has only widened during the last century. Examine. (150 words)
  2. The line between Administrative adjudication and judicial process is becoming increasingly blurred. Why? (300 words)

ANSWERS

24) Challenge 12/11/2013

QUESTIONS: 12/11/2013

  1. “Cost-benefit analysis is a very unsatisfactory view of analysing public policy.” Comment.(2010/200 words)
  2.  There is a separate ministry 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. (2007/300 words)

ANSWERS

23) Challenge 11/11/2013

QUESTIONS:11/11/2013

  1. “The Cabinet Secretary’s is a very general staff function, not a line function in relation to the ministries. His business is to help not to oversee. Comment. ( 300 Words)
  2. With respect to Globalization and its administrative challenges, explain state capacity deficit and its implications. (200 words)

ANSWERS

22) Challenge 09/11/2013

QUESTIONS: 09/11/2013

  1.  ”The headquarters-field relationship is fraught with complexities. To arrive at a general principle, thus, is nearly impossible. Therefore, this should be more of a practitioner’s domain rather than of academician’s.” Comment. (250 words)
  2. Do you agree with the view that in the wake of increasing role of local bodies, the District Collector be absolved largely of his development functions to focus more on regulatory functions? Justify. (250 words)

ANSWERS

21) Challenge 08/11/2013

QUESTIONS: 08/11/2013

  1.  ”Simon’s work has had major implications for the study of administration and the practice of administration professionalism.”Comment.(2006/200 words)
  2. “Bureaucracy can exist only where the whole service of the state is removed from the common political life of the people, its chiefs as well as rank and file. Its motives, its objectives, its policy, its standards must be bureaucratic.”- Discuss. (2004/200 words)
  3.  ”Taylor’s scientific management ignored social and psychological factors.” Comment.(2007/200 words)

ANSWERS

20) Challenge – 07/11/2013

QUESTIONS: 07/11/2013

  1. ” Weberian model of bureaucracy lacks empirical validity when applied to modern democratic administration.” Examine. (2003/200 words)
  2.  Critically examine the models of Max Weber and Chester Barnard with reference to Bureaucratic authority. (2001/200 words)

ANSWERS

19. Challenge – 06/11/2013

QUESTIONS: 06/11/2013

  1. Make a critical assessment of Dicey’s understanding of the Rule of
    Law Droit Administratif.(2011/150 words)
  2. Analyse McGregor’s Theory X and Theory Y. Do you agree with the view that with every passing year, his message has become more relevant and
    more important? Substantiate your answer. (2007/300 words)
  3. “Community policing has become a victim of elite capture.” Discuss
    the concept of community policing and bring out the implications of
    the above statement.(2011/300 words)

ANSWERS

18. Challenge – 05/11/2013

QUESTIONS: 05/11/2013

  1.  Critically comment on the recent Supreme Court directive on fixed tenure for Bureaucrats. (200 words)
  2.  Simon’s decision-making theories and techniques are of little use to Public Administration. Critically Examine.(250 words)
  3. “Laxity in monitoring and evaluation can render even best policies infructuous.” Discuss. (Mains 2008/ 200 words)
  4. The period of British rule generated most of the structural and behavioural values of Indian administration not by initiation but through interaction.  Examine (Mains 2000/ 200 words)

ANSWERS

17. Challenge – 04/11/2013

QUESTIONS: 04/11/2013

  1.  ”Coalition politics of contemporary time is,at times, at war with the ideas of planning commission.” Comment. (200 Words)
  2. “Kautilya was a political realist rather than an Idealist. Comment.(300 Words)
  3. Independence of judiciary is sacrosanct but seeking a broader collegium based judicial appointment needs serious exploration. Give your views. (300 Words)

ANSWERS

16. Challenge 02/11/2013

QUESTIONS: 02/11/2013

  1. The study of Administration should start from the base of management rather than the foundation of law. Explain. (CSE 2010/200 marks)
  2. Do you think there is a sort of paradox between e-governance and good governance. Explain fully. (CSE 2012/200 marks)

ANSWERS

15. Challenge 01/11/2013

QUESTIONS: 01/11/2013

  1. “Attempts to solve administrative problems in isolation from the structure of power and purpose in the polity are bound to be illusory.” (Norton Long) Comment. (300 Words)
  2. “Administrative reforms form a part of larger political process and should be considered in relation to it.” Examine. (300 Words)
  3. “Public administration is ultimately problem of political theory.” (Wallace Sayre) Comment.(300 Words)

ANSWERS

14. Challenge 31/10/2013

QUESTIONS: 31/10/2013 (Paper I and II)

  1.  ”The prismatic model of Riggs is equally applicable to developing as well as developed society.” Comment. (2010/200 words)
  2.  ”The real problem of administrative reforms in India at the state and local levels in that they are imposed from above.” Comment. (2011/300 words)

ANSWERS

13. Challenge 30/10/2013

QUESTIONS: 30/10/2013 (Paper I and II)

  1.  ”The main problem with Mary Parker Follett’s work is that her idealism is showing.”. Explain.(CSE 2006/20 marks/200 words)
  2.  Does the emergence of an Empowered group of Ministers at the Central Level impair the doctrine of Cabinet responsibility?(CSE 2010/20 marks/200 words)

ANSWERS

12. Challenge – 29/10/2013

QUESTIONS:29/10/2013 (Paper I and II)

  1. Indicate the milestones in the story of development from the Nehruvian Model to the Liberalization model. (CSM 20011/300 words)
  2. “The blame for out poor public sector performance can be laid on the way our bureaucracy is structured,”Comment (CSM 2007/200 words)

ANSWERS

11. Challenge – 28/10/2013

QUESTIONS: 28/10/2013 (Paper-II – 2009 questions)

  1. “Bureaucracy developed by the British stifled the village self-rule.” Comment (200 Words)
  2. “There is no basic contradiction between civil service neutrality and civil service activism.” Comment. (200 Words)
  3. Do State Services suffer in comparison with the All India and Central Services? Suggest measures for enhancing the role, competence and impact of State Services. (300 Words)
  4. India has failed to devise a long term strategy for drought management.” Comment (200 Words)

ANSWERS

10. Challenge – 26/10/2013

QUESTIONS:26/10/2013 (Paper II and I )

  1.  What are the two biggest challenges in the coming years for Indian Administration? Justify your position. (200 words)
  2. Piffner point out that the constitution of a country is a plan. Every planning and purposeful activity is preceded by preparation for action. Do you agree with the assessment of Piffner about the constitution? Discuss. (2007 Pakistan Civil Services/ 200 words)

ANSWERS

9. Challenge – 25/10/2013

QUESTIONS: 25/10/2013 (Paper I and II –Techniques of Administrative Improvement)

  1.  The available techniques of administrative improvements(CPM, PERT) are too ‘mechanical’ and ‘simplistic’ to be applied in the real world of governance. Comment. (150 words)
  2.  Examine the role of MGNREGA in improving lower-tier governance in India? (150 words)

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8.  Challenge – 24/10/2013

QUESTIONS: 24/10/2013 (Paper-II – Topic: Significant issues in Indian Administration, Administrative reforms since Independence)

  1. Looking at the state of criminal justice administration, we do not need a Human Rights Commission, but a human rights court. Comment.(200 words)
  2. Broadly in which direction have administrative reforms moved since Independence? Has it changed the situation on ground? (150 words)

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7.  Challenge – 23/10/2013

QUESTIONS: 23/10/2013 [Paper I – Administrative thought]

  1. The ‘Neo’ approach in classical and behavioral theories have brought classist and behaviorist very close to each other. Critically comment.(200 words)
  2.  Weber’s theories were essentially an attempt to ensure social acceptance of  bureaucracy. Do you agree? Discuss. (200 words)

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6 . Challenge –  22/10/2013

QUESTIONS: 22/10/2013 -[ Paper- I and II ( Topic: Comparative Public Administration(CPA), Evolution of Indian Administration)]

  1. The categorization of ‘Balanced’ and ‘Unbalanced’ polities is nothing but an attempt to vindicate futile academic theorisation of Comparative Public Administration. Comment. (200 words)
  2. “The rule of King depends primarily on written orders….”Why did Kautilya favour codification of laws? (CSE 2010/200 words)

5. Challenge –  21/10/2013

QUESTIONS: 21/10/2013 (Paper-I)

  1.  ”Taylor’s Contribution was not a set of general principles for organizing work efficiency, but a set of operating procedures that could be employed in each concrete situation to secure their application.” Comment((2009/ 200 Words)
  2.  ”The Barnard-Simon Theory of Organisation is essentially a theory of motivation.” Comment (2009/200 Words)

4.  Challenge Day-4 (19/10/2013)

QUESTIONS: 19/10/2013 (Paper- II – Union Government and Administration, Civil Service)

  1.  The proliferation of delegated legislation should not pose a problem in the Indian Parliamentary system of government. Critically comment. (200 Words)
  2.  Civil Service neutrality is a fiction. How can any thinking person be neutral? (CSE 2010/20 marks/200 Words)

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3.  Challenge Day-3   (18/10/2013)

QUESTIONS: 18/10/2013 – (Paper-I: Administrative thought -Weber’s bureaucratic model- its critiques and post-Weberian developments)

  1.  E-governance is the final arrival of Max Weber’s iron cage of rationality. Discuss. (CSE 2011/20 marks/200 Words)
  2. In what way is Weber’s ‘legal-rational’ model of bureaucracy seemingly ‘irrational’?  (15 marks/150 words)

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2. Challenge Day – 2 (17/10/2013)

QUESTIONS: 17/10/2013; Paper-I Topic– Introduction (Evolution), Administrative Thinkers(Scientific Management)
  1.  The theoretical evolution of Public Administration is essentially ‘ecological’. Elucidate. (250 Words)
  2.  The criticisms stating Fayol’s principles as ‘cold-blooded engineering’ with no regard for human element seem selective and exaggerated. Critically Comment. (250 Words)

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1.Challenge Day1 (16/10/2013)

QUESTIONS: Day-1 (Paper-I Topic- Introduction (Wilson’s view of Public administration)

  1.  “The field of Public Administration is a field of business.”(Woodrow Wilson) Comment. (CSE 2009/20 marks)
  2. “Calling Woodrow Wilson, the father of Public Administration is doing injustice to equally or even more eminent contributions made prior to him.” Comment. (CSE 2008/ 20 marks)
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