With reference to the Union Government, consider the following statements : 1. N. Gopalaswamy Iyengar Committee suggested that a minister and a secretary be designated solely for pursuing the subject of administrative reform and promoting it. 2. In 1970, the Department of Personnel was constituted on the recommendation of the Administrative Reforms Commission, 1966, and this was placed under the Prime Minister's charge. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- (a) 1 only
- (b) 2 only
- (c) Both 1 and 2 ✓ UPSC's answer
- (d) Neither 1 nor 2
Why the answer is (c)
• Statement 1 is correct: the N. Gopalaswami Ayyangar report (1949) on reorganising the machinery of government recommended that a minister and a secretary be designated exclusively to pursue and promote administrative reform.
• Statement 2 is correct: acting on the first Administrative Reforms Commission (1966–70), the Department of Personnel was set up in 1970 under the Cabinet Secretariat and placed in the Prime Minister's charge; it became the Department of Personnel and Training in 1985.
• Both are landmarks in the evolution of India's personnel administration.
• Hence both 1 and 2, option (c).
Why the other options are wrong
- (a) 1 only
- Statement 2 is also correct: the Department of Personnel was created in 1970 under the PM.
- (b) 2 only
- Statement 1 is also correct: the Ayyangar Committee made this recommendation.
- (d) Neither 1 nor 2
- Both statements are correct.
Asked in the GS Paper I of the UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination 2021, held on 10 October 2021. Question and answer key: Union Public Service Commission. Explanation: UPSC Answer Check.