Public Administration (Mains) 2012: Paper 2
Paper II SECTION- A

Q.1: Attempt each of the following in about 150 words each (12×5=60)

“The Mughal Administrative System was military rule by nature and a form of centralised despotism.” Analyse.
‘Judges should not govern the country. They can lay down a law, not interfere with governance.’ Discuss.
Critically examine the variables in the composition and functioning of Cabinet Committees.
“‘Memorandum of Understanding’ scheme between the Government and Public enterprises has forced public undertakings to improve their overall performance.” Do you agree with this statement?
To what extent has the 74th Constitutional Amendment Act created a ‘federation within a federation’ in India

Q,2

“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. 30
In the exercise of his/her functions, the President of India is a mere ‘Convenient working hypothesis’. Do you agree with this view Justify your reasoning with illustrations. 30

Q.3

‘Parliamentary Departmental Committees have played their role effectively in analysing the demands for grants.’ Evaluate. 20
Explain the emerging ambiguity in respect of the developmental role of the District Collector in the wake of the 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act. 10 Justify ‘indicative’ planning in the context of LPG 10
‘Parliament is an independent institution, not to be seen as an extension of government or of a party.’ Elaborate. 20

Q.4.

‘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. 25
Discuss the recommendations of the Sarkaria Commission in respect of the National Development Council for improving Centre-State planning relations. 20
‘The Arthashastra is a book of political realism.’ Elaborate. 15

Public Administration Mains 2012 Paper II: SECTION-B

Q.5. Attempt each of the following in about 150 words each (12×5=60)

‘Bureaucrats should not play politics, but understand how politics works.’ Comment.
‘Good governance is closely aligned with effective democratic governance.’ Elaborate.
‘Corruption is more of an environmental than an administrative problem.’ Discuss.
‘Questions represent a powerful technique of parliamentary control over expenditure.’ Explain.
‘Panchayati Raj Institutions are still affected by State control and domination by bureaucracy.’ Do you agree

Q.6

Local self-government in India is the interplay of several factors – historical, ideological, and adminis- trative. Critically examine these factors. 30
‘Efforts made towards administrative reforms so far have been lacking in congruence between strategy, structure and substance.’ Discuss with illustrations. 30

Q.7

Indian administration is yet to fully appreciate and adopt the benefits of Information Technology. Elucidate. 15
What is an output-based performance budgeting system Analyse this system in the context of India. 15
NGOs demand greater autonomy from the State and are now ‘new actors’ in development. How effective are they as instruments of decentralisation and debureaucratisation Critically evaluate. 30

Q.8

Compare and contrast the Padmanabhaiah, Ribeiro and Mallinath Committee Reports. 25
“Even though law and order administration is a State subject in the Indian Constitution, it is paradoxical that the para-military and other kinds of security forces under the Union Government have grown in recent years.” Critically analyse the statement. 20
How does New Localism impact Centre-State- Local relations in the era of LPG 15